On Friday, October 6, Ayla Kapahi, Head Brewer and Director of Operations at Borderlands Brewing Company, will be honored with the “Directors Award” from the Arizona Brewers Guild. The Guild is turning 25 this year and is hosting the annual Arizona Craft Beer Awards Ceremony is just one of the ways they’re celebrating.
Kapahi has been recognized by the Guild with the Directors Award for her invaluable work on the Las Hermanas collaboration and other collaborations in Tucson.
“The Directors Award sheds light on Ayla’s exceptional contribution to not only Borderlands Brewing but also to the Arizona brewing community as a whole,” said Es Teran, CEO of Borderlands Brewing. “Her work on the Las Hermanas collaboration showcases a seamless blend of innovative brewing and community upliftment, embodying the spirit of collaborative efforts that drive our industry forward.”
At tonight’s award ceremony, Kapahi is set to deliver an inspirational speech, advocating for sustained commitment towards passion and community projects within the industry.
Celebrate with Ayla Kapahi
On October 21, the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild is hosting the Arizona Craft Beer Awards & Festival on the western lawn of the Cardinals Stadium in Glendale. The festival will be the celebration of these awards, “bringing the beer community together so we can all enjoy the best Arizona has to offer.”
“We invite everyone to join us as we raise a glass to celebrate the passion, creativity, and camaraderie that make our community so special,” said Rob Fullmer, Executive Director of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild.
For more information about the festival, visit azcraftbeer.com.
For a more in-depth look at Kapahi’s brewing history, check out Jessie Mance’s February 2023 article “Ayla Kapahi Pours Herself Into Every Pint.”
Borderlands Brewing Company is located at 119 E. Toole Ave. and 2500 E. Sixth St. For more information, visit borderlandsbrewing.com or follow Borderland Brewing on Facebook and Instagram.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
