thePULSEBy Staff
The Massachusetts Brewers Guild is pleased to announce that it has hired Kristen Sykes as its first Executive Director. The Guild, which was founded in 2007, promotes craft brewing and protects the interests of craft brewers in Massachusetts.
“We are excited to have Kristen represent the Brewers Guild and to help fulfill our goal of promoting Massachusetts craft beer throughout the Bay State,” said Rob Martin, Guild President and President of Ipswich Ale Brewery. “Her passion for craft beer and experience in the non-profit world are going to help us take the Guild to the next level.”
Kristen has had a long-time love affair with craft beer. A homebrewer since 2002 and a certified beer 
judge through the Beer Judge Certification Program, she is also the Founder and President of the Boston Area Beer Enthusiasts Society (BABES), a women’s beer club begun in November 2011. She was an organizer of the Boston-Sustainable Business Network’s Hyper-Local Brew Fest this past summer and is also a Slumbassador for Somerville Brewing Company.
“I am thrilled to be promoting the fantastic breweries in the state of Massachusetts. The quality has never been better, the range of styles has never been greater, and the number of breweries has never been higher,” Kristen shared with excitement.
In her work with the Guild, Kristen, who has had long career working on the conservation of land, waters and trails for organizations including the Appalachian Mountain Club, will organize the ever-popular, always successful Mass Brewers Guild Fest, which takes place annually in Boston at the end of August. She will also help launch a long-anticipated Massachusetts Beer Trail, advocate for Guild legislative priorities at the State House, and strengthen the ties between farmers and brewers in the state.
As major supporters of craft beers here in Massachusetts, we at Pulse welcome Kristen and wish her the best of luck!
Special thanks to Katie Piepiora of Samuel Adams/Boston Beer Company
