In 2021 IJBC welcomed new head brewer Elise Lauer to the team.

 

Elise is a first generation American of Norwegian descent, born and raised in Ypsilanti, MI. Directly after graduating high school, she began a professional ballet dance career which eventually led her to Tucson, AZ. After 9 years, she retired from ballet and spent the next 8 years in retail and restaurant management, where she found a love for systems and processes. When the position of Brewer became available with Iron John’s, she jumped at the opportunity and dove head first into the science of brewing under the tutelage of Paul Farnsworth, PhD. Paul has been performing research and teaching university level classes in brewing, fermentation science and biotechnology for decades, and has been a commissioning brewmaster for over 100 breweries.

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Similar to restaurant management, Elise quickly found the meticulous brew processes and systems required to allow for great beer to shine was exactly what she was looking for. She is excited about the continued education that is ever present in the fermentation industry, and also for the opportunity to be a female leader in a typically male-dominated industry. She is a member of the Pink Boots Society and is proud to be one of many women in fermentation in Tucson.

 

Since joining the IJBC team, Elise has commissioned our new 5 Barrel brewhouse and streamlined the IJBC beer lineup. She now concentrates on producing beers that are *truly* true to style. Elise is clearly crushing it, as clients repeatedly tell us, "The beer is BETTER THAN EVER!"

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Check out Elise's interview on the local radio show "Life Along the Streetcar."