The Brewers Association has created the new position of Draught Beer Quality ambassador which will be filled by Matt Meadows and Neil Witte. The two will share responsibilities in working to promote the mission of the BA Draught Beer Quality subcommittee—to improve the quality of draught beer dispensed at retail, and educate wholesalers and retailers how to preserve the great flavor and aroma of beer created by the brewer when it is served to the consumer.
Witte, who will also continue his work as BA Quality ambassador, said, “I’ve had the honor of working with the Draught Beer Quality subcommittee for the past 10 years. Neil WitteIn that time, the group has created some excellent resources that deal with every aspect of delivering high-quality draught beer. Our biggest challenge now is getting the word out to everyone about what we’ve created. I’m excited to now serve as co-ambassador with Matt Meadows, and be a part of the effort to bring that message to the larger industry.”
Now a 20 year veteran of the craft beer business, Witte began his career in the Kansas City brewpub industry as a brewer at Boulevard Brewing Co. In 2001, he took over field quality responsibilities for the brewery, acting as a quality control liaison between the brewery and its distributor and retailer network. He continued that role with the Duvel USA family of beers, including Boulevard and Brewery Ommegang, through the end of 2016. Last year, Neil founded Craft Quality Solutions, which draws on his extensive field quality experience, providing field quality services to breweries, distributors, and retailers.
Witte is certified through the Beer Judge Certification Program and is currently one of 16 Master Cicerones. He is co-author of the Brewers Association Draught Beer Quality Manual, Draught Beer Quality for Retailers, and a contributing author to the MBAA Beer Steward Handbook.
Matt MeadowsMeadows started with New Belgium Brewing in 2002. In 2006, Matt became director of field quality. Currently, he oversees a national team that manages all facets of post-brewery quality throughout New Belgium’s distribution in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Matt is co-author of the BA’s Draught Beer Quality Manual and Draught Beer Quality for Retailers, and serves as Chair of the BA’s Draught Beer Quality subcommittee and sits on the BA Technical committee.
“The quality of the beer reaching our shared consumers is paramount to the success of craft beer and the entire beer category. I am excited to work alongside Neil and the Brewers Association to help promote the standards developed in the Draught Beer Quality Manual,” Meadows said.