Pre-Meeting Workshop: Navigating Evolving Environments Through Sensory Collaboration

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

8:30am - 5:00pm PDT

Location: Director A

Workshop Organizer(s)

AH

Ashley Hale

Sensory and Brewing Manager
Yakima Chief Ranches
Zillah, WA, USA
JH

Janelle Harmon, n/a

Sr. Quality Specialist
Unaffiliated
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
SL

Sami Leach

Quality & Technical Services Supervisor
Proximity Malt, United States
AL

Alistair Littlewood

Technical Sales Executive
Cara Technology Ltd, United States
BR

Becca Ransohoff

Assistant Quality Manager - Brewing
The Boston Beer Company, United States
AR

Andrew Reyes

R&D and Sensory Manager
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., United States
LR

Lindsey Rubottom

Brewing Innovation Instructor and Lab Manager
University of Oregon, United States

Organizer(s)

JH

Janelle Harmon, n/a

Sr. Quality Specialist
Unaffiliated
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Description: This hands-on workshop will allow collaboration between attendees to share perspectives on practical sensory issues. Learn from sensory experts on groundbreaking topics ranging from daily sensory program overview to flavor origin. Gain insights into how sensory data can be used during new product development as breweries evolve beyond beer. Elements of the workshop include oral presentations, case studies, a tasting session, and collaborative discussion. There will be a break for lunch. Registrants are on their own for lunch.

Target Audience: This seminar is for you if you…
● Are branching into new and unfamiliar beverage categories
● Wish to build connections and collaborate with the broader sensory community to discuss solutions to common sensory challenges
● Are looking to elevate your sensory program to the next level
● Have an intermediate level of knowledge of sensory science

Keynote Speaker
Bill Simpson, Cara Technology | Changing Sides – How to Leverage Sensory Capability, Expertise and Insight
Relevant to One Product Category in New Product Categories

Additional Speakers
● Andrew Reyes, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company | R Overview
● Jerry Tuel & Melissa Long, Givaudan | Unlocking Flavor Potential in Beyond Beer Beverages
● Dominic Wise, Yakima Chief Hops | Dank Dive
● Seng Robertson, Boston Beer Company | THC Beverages
● Cara Simpson, Cara Technology | Off-flavor Identification Session

Learning Objectives:

● Use immerging technologies for statistical analysis and how this can be applied to every day sensory data
● Grow connections and develop a network for helping to solve future sensory problems
● Answers to various sensory questions from industry leaders through robust discussion