There is life after Big Beer

What do brewing industry executives do after they retire? Well, they join a craft brewer. David Ryder, the former Vice President of brewing, research, innovation and quality for MillerCoors, has joined Milwaukee’s City Lights Brewing Company, as chief innovation officer.

Dr Ryder retired from MillerCoors this year after a 23-year career with the brewer. His credentials include experience as the technical consultant and global operations manager for Stella Artois and vice president of technical services for J.E. Siebel & Sons in Chicago. He was also president of the IBD from 2007 to 2008.

Dr Ryder has been working with City Lights’ owner and brewer Jimmy Gohsman to develop new beers. When City Lights begins brewing in mid-December this year, its first beer will be a brown ale, which originated in England 300 years ago under the name of Stitch.

As the number of craft breweries in Milwaukee continues to grow City Lights hopes to differentiate itself by bringing back styles people have never experienced. But once the brewery gets going, there will be session IPAs and full-strength IPAs too.