The North American Guild of Beer Writers and Yakima Valley Tourism present the winner of the inaugural Yakima Valley Residency program.
Congratulations to Brandon Hernández of San Diego Beer News!
Brandon’s pitches were beer-focused, well thought out, and specific to the plants, people, and places during hop harvest in Yakima Valley. Brandon has existing relationships with numerous publications that are aimed at both beer-specific and general audiences.
Brandon will receive round trip airfare, hosted meals and accommodations during the visit for three to four days, $500 stipend, organized site visits, behind-the-scenes access, cultural experiences, and meetings with local hop farmers, brewers, and other stakeholders, and ongoing engagement for future events and building networks.
Here is Brandon’s short biography:
Brandon Hernández is an award-winning journalist who has covered the brewing industry since 2007. He is the founder of San Diego Beer News, an on-air correspondent for FOX 5 San Diego and 91X FM, Food and Beverage Editor for Ranch & Coast Magazine, a brewing-industry contributor for The San Diego Union-Tribune and Brewers Association publication The New Brewer, and a travel contributor for CraftBeer.com. He spent a decade as Senior Editor for craft-beer magazine West Coaster, was a columnist for San Diego Magazine, Pacific San Diego Magazine and The San Diego Reader, and served as a columnist for Celebrator Beer News. He has served as a consultant for Food Network and Zagat, and his work has been featured in USA Today, All About Beer Magazine, Beer Magazine, The Beer Connoisseur Magazine, Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine, Full Pour Magazine, Imbibe Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Wine Enthusiast and more. He also spent seven years working in marketing positions for Stone Brewing, AleSmith Brewing and Societe Brewing, founded the Beer to the Rescue charity campaign benefiting the Lupus Foundation of Southern California, and was presented with the 2024 Craft Beer Pioneer Award at the Brewers Cup of California Competition.
Many thanks to Adam Stewart, Communications & Travel Trade Manager of Yakima Valley Tourism, and Kate Bernot, former NAGBW director, for developing this program. Thanks also to Meghann Quinn of Bale Breaker Brewing Company and Shana Solarte of John I. Haas for serving on the review committee and reviewing the 16 nominations.
Please read more about the Yakima Valley Residency here, including info on eligibility, process, benefits, and expected outcomes. NAGBW will repost Brandon’s stories as they are published. Finally, please consider applying for the 2027 grant cycle!