About Tacoma Beer Week

Matt McLaren is a local beer industry professional with 10 years of experience in the craft beer world. He’s a sales and brand manager at Orcas Distributing; a craft beer distributor based in Kent, WA. On top of helping to organize Tacoma Beer Week events, he also co-hosts the Grit and Grain podcast based at Peaks and Pints in Tacoma. Matt is also an Advanced Cicerone© and applies his knowledge of beer hosting educational events and training classes for bars, restaurants, and breweries around western Washington.

Gini had her first beer at the age of 3 when her dad looked away for a second and she downed half of a MGD. She’s been a lover of beer ever since, though her palate has been enhanced over the years. She moved to Tacoma in 2001 where The Parkway became her second home and the staff & beer reps became her beer teachers and fabulous friends. Gateway beers into craft beers were Red Hook ESB, Alaskan Amber, and Newcastle Brown Ale. Gini has been a part of Tacoma Beer Week in one way or another since its third year of existence. Helping to introduce all people to beer and its collaborative community is what she calls some of the best work she (we) do all year. She loves meeting people, loves our community and will try any beer at least once.

Kyleigh cemented her love of beer at a beer and cheese masterclass and since then has sampled her way through many varieties. An occasional host and emcee of Beer Week-related events, she enjoys facilitating a welcoming environment for newbies to participate and helps keep the team grounded by reminding them not everyone knows what every beer acronym or ‘fancy word’ means. With a background in marketing, community relations, and event and artist management, she oversees the marketing and communications side of Beer Week.

Lyra Penoyer has been in and around the craft beer industry for close to 20 years. She’s a Certified Beer Judge, Certified Cicerone©, and WSET Beer Awards instructor. Her work in breweries, beer bars, and her own craft wine and beer bar for four years means she understands the challenges and triumphs small business owners experience every day.

Rachyl is a Tacoma native with a deep-rooted passion for craft beer and community. Many know her as @beersandbedtime on Instagram, where her love for social media and the beer world first took off. What started as a self-taught homebrewing hobby quickly evolved into a career—first behind the bar as a Beertender and then behind the scenes as a Social Media Manager. As the founder of Social Karma Collective, she helps PNW breweries connect with their audiences through engaging digital storytelling. When she’s not crafting content, you’ll find her enjoying a well-brewed IPA or lager by a campfire and evergreens.

Ayla is a long-time beer enthusiast and passionate supporter of Tacoma's thriving brewing community. With a background in the foodservice industry, she has dedicated her time to building connections and fostering a sense of community over a well-crafted pint. Over the past several years, she has contributed to Tacoma Beer Week in various roles, including marketing, graphic design, and event planning in an effort to grow participation and engagement. 

With over a decade of experience in the beer industry, Gary has established a reputation as a dedicated and knowledgeable beer sales professional.

Gary has honed his expertise in brand development, customer relations, and market strategy, working with a diverse portfolio of craft and mainstream beers.

Gary has excelled in building strong relationships with retail, supplier, wholesale, distributors and retailers, driving sales growth through strategic marketing initiatives and exceptional customer service. Gary has a deep understanding of beer trends, consumer preferences, and industry dynamics, and has been instrumental in successfully expanding market presence and boosting brand visibility.

Z founded TBW in 2014 and has spent years gathering a clutch team of industry professionals to take up the flag.

Z has been a quiet force behind the TBW organization. Not a fan of publicity, they've kept to the sidelines and let the events speak for themselves. They remain a nonbinary menace and threat to polite society. We’re grateful for their leadership and vision.