Meet our Head Brewer - Allyson Rolph

Allyson Rolph – Head of Brewing and Innovation, Earth Rider Brewery

For more than a decade, Allyson Rolph has been a driving force in the Twin Ports craft beer community, known for her creative approach to brewing, deep technical expertise, and commitment to quality. As Head of Brewing and Innovation at Earth Rider Brewery, Allyson oversees every aspect of production, from recipe formulation and fermentation management to quality assurance, staff development, and new product design. Her work combines a scientist’s precision with an artist’s curiosity—qualities that have made her a respected leader and collaborator in the Upper Midwest brewing scene.

Allyson’s journey into professional brewing began more than 15 years ago, when a fascination with the art and science of fermentation led her from homebrewing to a full-time brewing career. She joined Thirsty Pagan Brewing in 2012, where she rose to the role of Head Brewer. During her tenure, she refined her technical skills in wort production, yeast propagation, and quality control while building a reputation for distinctive, well-balanced beers. Her innovative approach extended to barrel-aged, sour, and cask programs, as well as draught system design and sensory evaluation.

In 2017, Allyson was instrumental in launching Earth Rider Brewery in Superior, Wisconsin, a project that quickly became a cornerstone of the region’s craft beer culture. As part of the founding team, she played a key role in shaping the brewery’s identity, developing award-winning recipes, and implementing rigorous standards for consistency and safety. Today, as Head of Brewing and Innovation, she continues to lead recipe development, oversee quality programs, and mentor the next generation of brewing professionals. Her leadership emphasizes collaboration, continual learning, and a deep respect for the raw materials and processes that define exceptional beer.

Allyson’s technical foundation is grounded in extensive professional education. She has completed advanced brewing coursework through the World Brewing Academy (Siebel Institute of Technology), including the Concise Course in Brewing Technology and Advanced Brewing Theory. Her studies covered raw materials, fermentation science, packaging, process technology, and quality control. Additional training includes Microbiology for Brewers at UW–Stevens Point, the Brewery Maintenance Systems Course through the Master Brewers Association of the Americas (MBAA), and the UC Davis Beer Quality Series. She is a member of the MBAA and an active participant in professional development opportunities such as the Craft Brewers Conference and Yakima Chief Hop & Brew School.

Before her brewing career, Allyson earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Minnesota State University, Mankato, a background that continues to inform her creative and aesthetic sensibility in recipe design and brand expression.

Outside the brewhouse, Allyson finds inspiration in the natural beauty of the Lake Superior region. Having moved to the Twin Ports over two decades ago, she remains captivated by the area’s rugged landscape and close-knit community. She enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her wife and their two energetic Siberian Huskies, exploring the same natural world that inspires her thoughtful and adventurous approach to brewing.