Natural Selections :: Experts Table | Panel Discussions | Science Activities | Food

Meet the Masters: Panel Discussions

Ingredients — Hits and Misses

8:00–8:30pm, WRAL 3D Theater

Whit Baker
Whit Baker
Brewmaster, Certified Cicerone, Certified BJCP Beer Judge
Bond Brothers Beer Co.
Since 2011, Whit has immersed himself in the science of brewing and fermentation. He is a Certified Cicerone, fully knowledgeable in managing a beer bar. He also holds a certified rank as a beer judge from the Beer Judge Certification Program, possessing an in-depth knowledge of more than 80 styles of beer and evaluating professional and amateur beer in competitions. At Bond Brothers Beer Co. in Cary, he is constantly innovating and improving his process, resulting in his excellent reputation in the Triangle craft beer scene. Whit holds degrees in secondary education and biological sciences from NC State University.

Keil Jansen
Keil Jansen
Brewmaster
Ponysaurus Brewing Co.
Keil Jansen is the mastermind behind Ponysaurus’ recipes and brewing processes. It’s an understatement to say he has beer on the brain. Before founding Ponysaurus, Keil was a special education teacher for seven years, in addition to being a passionate home brewer. Keil founded the BrewDurham home brew festival in Durham, which has connected home brewers with hundreds of enthusiastic drinkers since 2011.

Jamie McMillan
Jamie McMillan
Head Brewer, Teacher, Mad Scientist
Lincoln Brewing Co.
For some, brewing is a hobby; for others, it’s a passion. For Jamie, it’s an obsession that started with his Grandfather’s winery and still when he was six years old. He has been experimenting with home brewing for more than twenty years, both locally and abroad. Jamie teaches craft brewing at Wake Tech Community College, and at Lincoln Brewing, takes the farm-to-plate concept and brings it to the brewing world using local and unusual ingredients.

Les Stewart
Les Stewart
Head Brewer
Trophy Brewing Co.
Les has been in charge of brewing operations at Trophy Brewing Co. since it’s inception in 2012. Today, Les spends most of his time at Trophy’s new production facility on Maywood Avenue trying to navigate a new wave of puzzles – including distribution, packaging and branding – all while working with his brewing team on the next new Trophy beer.

Home Brewing — Procedure, Equipment and Ingenuity

9:00–9:30pm, WRAL 3D Theater

Bruce Corregan
Bruce Corregan
Head Brewer/CEO
Nickelpoint Brewing Co.
Bruce began home brewing in 2001 with his brother. He followed the normal path of working from extract brewing to full grain to designing recipes over the course of a few years. A musician by training and a former IBM employee, he co-founded Nickelpoint Brewing Co. in Raleigh in 2013 and now serves as CEO and Head Brewer. Bruce is passionate about brewing traditional European beers, particularly dark and amber lagers.

Tony Ferlotti
Tony Ferlotti
Purchasing Manager
Atlantic Brew Supply
Tony is a long term and avid home brewer. His expertise has led him into a management position at Atlantic Brew Supply, one of the largest home brew supply shops on the East Coast.

Clay Fussel
Clay Fussel
Brewer
Big Boss Brewery
Clay is a knowledgeable, passionate and award-winning home brewer who turned pro when he joined the Big Boss team in 2015.

Derek Garman
Derek Garman
Head Brewer
Fortnight Brewing Co.
A graduate of Appalachian State University, Derek first found his love of craft beers in college. After graduation, he was a part-time employee and a full-time home brewer. His professional brewery work started at the Olde Mecklenburg Brewery in Charlotte, NC. Now relocated to Cary, his tasks at the brewery are to take pilot recipes and work them into a full production scale: kegging, casking, cellaring and quality control.