Cenizo Journal Spring 2022 | Page 23

have to play a vital role . With the next nearest brewery located 160 miles away in Midland , it was yet another challenge to stay connected in the world of craft beer beyond Big Bend . Her efforts were rewarded when she was selected to join the Samuel Adams mentoring program , Moms Brewing the American Dream . The program pairs her with professionals who can help her navigate issues from how to engage with the public to how to manage operations .
The tenacious spirit she brings to brewing with all its challenges is the same spirit that first brought 22-year-old Amy to the Big Bend in 2008 .
She arrived sight-unseen , from the very urban setting of her home in Baltimore , Maryland , to follow dreams of learning a doit-yourself lifestyle . But things got off to a very rocky start , as the vast expanse of desert and its inhabitants were not as advertised . If you ever get to know Amy over drinks , she might divulge the riveting details of her crash landing . Suffice it to say , the predicament she found herself in would have sent most people running away from this place forever , but Amy stuck it out .
She wizened up and pivoted in place . When a better opportunity came along , she nabbed it , aligning herself with the more benevolent forces of this harsh land .
That opportunity was a chance to work with craft beer hall of famer Steve Anderson at Big Bend Brewing Company in Alpine in 2013 . Steve was an early proponent of craft beer at a time when brewpubs where still illegal in Texas . He was one of the pioneers who helped inspire the change in legislature in the 1990s that resulted in today ’ s burgeoning craft beer industry . Steve was a well-respected brewmaster , known for his Texas style of German- and Mexican-influenced craft beers .
Amy made a close study . Learning the trade from a purist such as Steve vibed well with her . Organic farming was , at that point , one of Amy ’ s lifelong pursuits . At various stages , she had traveled across the states working on farms , getting her hands dirty , growing things . She had no qualms with the arduous brewing schedule . She would show up at four a . m . and work 10- hour days , brewing three to five times a week . From the beginning , she had nothing but respect for the craft and proved herself worthy of any trade secrets a well-respected brewmaster might impart .
Soon , Amy was thrown into the role of head brewer at Big
Bend Brewing Company . Steve had fallen ill , and sadly , succumbed to cancer in late 2015 . Amy did what she had to do and took the reins at the beloved brewery . She kept things going , thriving even , in the midst of grief and transition , until forces beyond her control resulted in the permanent shuttering of what had become an Alpine institution in 2018 .
By that point , Amy had dug her heels deep into Big Bend soil . She had given birth to her first child and was putting down roots . In a small town , if the only brewpub for a hundred miles closes , it means a career change or move is in the cards for the former employees . Alpine fit Amy ’ s criteria for raising kids , so that ruled out moving away .
“ When you see kids supported on the front page of the newspaper and a place with good public library energy and public spaces and parks-- that ’ s the sign of a good community ,” Amy said . So , she stayed in Alpine to raise her kids in a good community . She wiped her hands of what had been an amazing and privileged experience as a brewer with Big Bend Brewing Company . She figured her life as a beer making lady was over .
Until , lo and behold , Brick Vault Brewery and Barbecue popped up in the tiny town of Marathon ( population 386 ), 30 miles to the east .
Its founding brewer was a friend and former coworker , Brodie Pierce . After he got things up and running , he moved to a larger brewery in a bigger city .
That ’ s how Amy came to be the Brick Vault ’ s longest running head brewer . She was the natural pick when the position came open and has run with it ever since .
She ’ s constantly adding new brews to the usual lineup . She makes things interesting by incorporating local ingredients and local lore . Expanding the brewing capacity will give her more freedom to brew multiple recipes at a time .
Amy was finally granted permission to hire help , and the first day on the job for new assistant brewer Niquie Walker fell on International Women ’ s Day , March 8 , 2022 .
It was an exciting day in the brewery , with two special guests from Tall City Brewing in Midland , Brewing Operations Manager Michelle St . John-Franks and Taproom Manager and Events Coordinator Kellyn Wehmeyer . They were on site to help with the Pink Boots Society Collaboration Brew Day , an international event with all-women teams brewing beer in celebration of women and nonbinary individuals in the industry .

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