Curious about the brilliant minds behind some of the world’s best craft beers? So is The Wench, which is why I’ve started the “Inside the Mash Tun” brewer spotlight series featuring some of the most talented men and women in the craft beer industry.

Today I would like to introduce to you one of my favorite men in the world, the ever talented and absolutely adorable Jason “Saison Man” Yester of Trinity Brewing. Artist, brewer, and loving pet owner — Jason is an extraordinary person, and a great friend. Cheers!

Inside the Mash Tun: Jason Yester

“King”, Trinity Brewing
Colorado Springs, Co
Twitter: @SaisonMan

How did you get into the craft beer industry?
I was damn poor when I was in College, but I scrounged up enough money to buy a home brew kit for my roommate. He never used it, so I just kinda took it over! I was also a Biology major, and quickly I was able to see how valuable a background in Biology is in brewing. I developed an independent thesis titled “A Microbial Analysis of Bottled Ale,” and crafted the first Colorado Barley Wine in a bottle circa 1997… the rest is history :p

How long have you been brewing at Trinity?
Wow… I think the real question is ‘How long have I not?” … When I was 18 I proclaimed that I would start/own a brewery by the time I was 30. I only missed that date by about 6 months! Trinity opened in August of 2008.

Out of all the beers you have brewed, what is your all-time favorite?
I really enjoy experimentation, and consider a lot of the brewing I do to be ‘Cuisine Inspired.’ As Saison is my favorite style of beer, nailing a single favorite is very difficult. Although I may answer differently on any given night, I am going with ‘Double Rainbow,’ a Saison I crafted with an old co-worker John Schneider (Owner of Black Fox Brewing). Wanting a challenge we crafted this collaboration Belgian with 2 ingredients for each color of the rainbow and fermented it with Sake procedures. We used copious amounts of locally grown Syrah grapes to create a very vinous beer. The task of trying to create balance and never overwhelm any of the ingredients was quite difficult, and we nailed that balance on this beer. Only about 600 champagne bottles were released, and the batch is completely sold out… I can’t wait until I run into this bottle again after a few years of cellaring

What is you favorite beer and food pairing?
Old growth, barrel aged Flemish Sour Brown, with Maytag blue cheese and a cube of ripe watermelon atop a leaf of endive.

What is the best part about working for Trinity?
The sincerity of the people I get to see everyday! From co-workers to our customers, there is one thing they all have in common…. a love for beer! I am surrounded by a vibrant community that continues to grow organically. When I come to the brewery, I always feel inspired by this environment and I enjoy how I am pushed to excel. I couldn’t ask for a better situation as a brewer and an artist.

If you were a style of beer, what would you be and why?
Ha, ha… Saison of course, in fact I think I am part Saison already … Saison is the French word for ‘season,’ always changing, always interesting, and always unpredictable (plus it’s always presented in a cool glass)…. if I were any other style I would eventually get bored.

Outside of craft beer, what are some of your other hobbies and interests?
I am extremely passionate about gardening and growing my own food! I love to cook! Freelance writing, doing paintings with my bare hands, hiking, camping, FOOSBALL!! and hanging out with my pups

And lastly, what does craft beer mean to you?
I hope I can explain this while avoiding criticism !

I look at the term ‘Craft Beer’ as a social and conscious movement…. and more than anything, an awakening. So many intelligent people from so many different back grounds have built this business upon art, authenticity, inspiration, expression, and an extremely high level of generosity. Craft Beer is a very healthy, growing, and evolving culture… it’s exciting to be a part of… THE END :3

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Want to see one of your favorite brewers featured? Just leave a note in the comment section below or shoot me an email!

Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome to the main event.

Last year, I teamed up with some kickass women from all corners of the country and various facets of the craft beer industry to present the first ever “20 Most Eligible Bachelors of Craft Beer”. After reviewing last’s year process, we made some tiny adjustments to this year’s competition, and added more women to the nomination committee and the judging panel.

All though the process was slightly tweaked, the basic qualifications and the judging criteria remained the same.

The basic qualifications were as such:

1. Must work for a craft brewery (all positions considered)
2. Must NOT be married (other relationship statuses accepted)

Now, this whole concept might sound simple, but I assure you that it is more complicated than it looks. We accepted nominations via Twitter, Facebook, the comment section on this site, email, etc. After sorting through the various nominations from the outside, adding more to the list from the inside, and then reviewing the previous year’s winners, we were able to narrow down the pool. Many men were evaluated, and only 20 made the final cut. The top 20 nominees were then submitted to a judging round, where they were each judge on three very specific criteria.

The judging criteria were as follows:

1. Industry Talent
2. Personality
3. Appearance

I hate to disappoint, but this was not a “beauty pageant” type contest. In fact, the qualification that had the most impact on the scores, and the overall rankings, was personality. Looks and talent can get you far, boys, but personality will get your further.

20 men of all ages and positions were scored and ranked — but only ONE man will take home the crown of Mr. Craft Beer 2012. Without any further ado, let me present the winners of the 2012….

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#20 Mr. Troy Casey

Photo Source: Facebook

Brewer, AC Golden Brewing Company

Golden, CO

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#19 Mr. Matt Cole

Photo Source: Cleveland.com

Brewmaster, Fat Head’s Brewery & Saloon

Cleveland, OH

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#18 Mr. Brandon Borgel

Photo Source: Facebook

Director of Sales & Marketing, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

San Francisco, CA

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#17 Mr. Randy Clemens

Photo Credit: Stone Brewing Co.

Media & Communications Linchpin, Stone Brewing Co.

Escondido, CA

Personal Twitter: @RandyClemensESQ

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#16 Mr. Doug Rehberg

Photo Source: Widmer

Brewer, Widmer Brothers Brewing

Portland, OR

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#15 Mr. Jared Rouben

Photo Source: Goose Island

Head Brewer, Goose Island Brewpubs‘

Chicago, IL

Personal Twitter: @jbrew312

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#14 Mr. Victor Novak

Photo Source: Facebook

Brewmaster, TAPS Fish House & Brewery

Brea, California

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#13 Mr. Michael Steffing

Photo Source: MyLastPint.com

Co-founder & brewer, Jester King Brewery

Ceres Park, TX

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#12 Mr. Noah Regnery

Photo Credit: MSN Today

Brewmaster, Hollister Brewing Co.

Hollister, CA

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#11 Mr. Matt Dauffenbach

Photo Source: Matt Dauffenbach

Colorado and Oklahoma Sales Manager / Craft Beer Evangelist at Tallgrass Brewing Company

Manhattan, KS

Personal Twitter: @mkdauff

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#10 Mr. Brent Cordle

Photo Source: FeastingFortCollins.com

Manager of the Pilot Brewhouse & Barrel-aging Program, Odell Brewing

Fort Collins, CO

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#9 Mr. Jason Yester

Photo Source: Facebook

President & Brewmaster, Trinity Brewing Company

Colorado Springs, CO

Personal Twitter: @SaisonMan

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#8 Mr. Ben Edmunds

Photo Source: OregonLive.Com

Brewmaster, Breakside Brewery

Portland, OR

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#7 Mr. Garrett Oliver

Photo Credit: Facebook

Brewmaster, Brooklyn Brewery

Brooklyn, NY

Personal Twitter: @GarrettOliver

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#6 Mr. Tyler King

Photo Source: Cal Poly Pomona

Brewmaster, The Bruery

Placentia, CA

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#5 Mr. Shaun O’ Sullivan

Photo Source: Facebook

Co-founder & Brewmaster, 21st Amendment

San Francisco, CA

Personal Twitter: @ShaunOSullivan

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#4 Mr. Jamie Floyd

Photo Source: Facebook

Co-founder & Brewmaster, Ninkasi Brewing Co.

Eugene, OR

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#3 Mr. Dustin Kral

Photo Source: Facebook

Head Brewer, Firestone Walker

Paso Robles, CA

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#2 Mr.  Adam Avery

Photo Credit: Imbibe Magazine

Founder & Brewmaster, Avery Brewing Co.

Boulder, CO

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And this year’s Most Eligible Bachelor of Craft Beer crown goes to….

MR. CRAFT BEER 2012

Colin Presby

Photo Source: Weyerbacher

Cellerman, Weyerbacher Brewing Co.

Easton, PA

Possesing one of the less glamorous positions in the industry, Colin’s duties include (but are not limited to) bottling, kegging, machine operator and mechanic, transferring of brews, cleaning crew, quality control, and helping out as a sales rep which includes bar events, beerfests, and liquor store tastings — all of which he does with ease, pride and joy.

Photo Source: Weyerbacher

(And meet Peggy: the three legged goat he helped rescue!)

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Well folks, that wraps up this year’s Bachelors of Craft Beer Competition! As you can see, we had quite a number of upsets — only eight men from the previous year made it to the top 20 this time around. The craft beer industry is ever evolving and this list will most likely continue to evolve with it. If we missed your favorite beer fella this year, make sure to leave a comment below, or send me an email to routson@gmail.com, so we can put him on our radar for next year.

Lastly, congrats to all the men that made this list. Although it was fun to objectify these lovely gentlemen, the overarching goal was to give credit where credit was do and promote some of the most talented and amiable men of craft beer in a fun and playful way.