Wicked Weed Brewing Announces Hurricane Hero as Winner of "You Deserve An Upgrade" Contest

$10,000-valued prize to help Asheville local rebuild art studio following Helene, with the official announcement taking place on National IPA Day

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wicked Weed Brewing is excited to reveal that local artist Matthew Decker has been selected as the grand prize winner of its inaugural "You Deserve An Upgrade" Contest — a community-driven campaign to recognize and reward individuals who go above and beyond for others. Decker will receive an upgrade prize valued at $10,000 for equipment and supplies to him to rebuild his art studio post Hurricane Helene. Download photos here. The official announcement was made on August 7, National IPA Day, at Wicked Weed's Brewpub located at 91 Biltmore Ave. in Asheville, NC. The festivities continue on Saturday, August 9, with a full "Upgrade Your IPA" celebration at the same location featuring beer specials, live music from Payton Smith, vendors, and more. Selected from hundreds of nominations submitted from eighteen states, Decker's story reflects the kind of generosity and perseverance that inspired this campaign. His studio was located in Asheville's River Arts District, which was flooded and destroyed by Helene in late September 2024. He lost his studio, thousands of dollars of equipment and original art. With nearly a dozen entries highlighting his service to the community, one nominator wrote that he is "a talented young artist who lost his ability to generate revenue since his studio was destroyed. We would love to see him catch a break." Another testimonial noted, "His artistic touch brings so much joy to the world and people's lives. Since the storm, he has been working endlessly out of his home to continue his mission to bring joy into the world." Other nomination statements about Decker's commitment to his community included: "Matt and his neighbors worked tirelessly for weeks to clear roads after Helene then helped fellow artists in the River District to salvage anything usable from their studios." "After the flood, he was selling hats to raise money for local wildlife conservation efforts and helped people clean and find their missing belongings. He is an amazing artist who has a big heart for people and his community." "[Matt] has been raising money to donate to local groups cleaning rivers and saving the hellbenders [wildlife]. He is the leader of a community garden in downtown Asheville and has been tending it to produce flowers and food for the community." Ryan Guthy, co-founder of Wicked Weed Brewing, said, "We created this contest to celebrate the people who pour into others and rarely ask for anything in return. Our local community is still feeling the impacts of Helene, so we're incredibly proud to help Matthew on his individual journey to rebuild." The "You Deserve An Upgrade" Contest, inspired by Wicked Weed's flagship Pernicious IPA and its rallying cry to "Upgrade Your IPA," invited nominations for individuals in need of meaningful support, from rebuilding homes and businesses to personal goals and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The contest is a reflection of Wicked Weed's ongoing mission to 'craft different to create experiences that unite people and enrich communities.' To follow Matthew's journey and see highlights from the Upgrade Your IPA event, follow @WickedWeedBrewing on social media. About Wicked Weed Brewing Wicked Weed Brewing is an award-winning brewery based in Asheville, North Carolina. Since opening in 2012, the brewery has grown into a regional powerhouse with a 50-barrel production facility, an innovative sour beer program, and three dynamic retail locations. Its Pernicious brand family remains the top-growing craft beer in the Southeast and is among the fastest-growing IPAs in the nation. Learn more at WickedWeedBrewing.com or follow along @wickedweedbrewing.

Reviewing RationAle’s Mexican Cerveza Beer: Flavor Without the Buzz?

Change on Tap for Ohio Craft Brewers Association Board of Directors

 

Change on Tap for Ohio Craft Brewers Association Board of Directors

Jason Moore of Crooked Handle Brewing elected to first term as president.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The member breweries of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association elected seven representatives to their 11 member board of directors. Jason Moore of Crooked Handle Brewing Company was chosen by membership to succeed Alan Szuter of Wolf’s Ridge Brewing as president of the association's board. Moore, whose brewery has locations in Springboro and Piqua, was first elected to the board in 2022 and subsequently elected vice president in 2024.

Moore is the Ohio Craft Brewers Association’s sixth president since its founding in 2007, following Szuter, Collin Castore of Seventh Son Brewing, Chris Alltmont of Fat Head’s Brewery, Eric Bean of Columbus Brewing Company and John Najeway of Thirsty Dog Brewing. Szuter is term-limited after serving on the board for six years, the last four as president.

Upon assuming the president’s seat on the board on Aug. 1, Moore takes over Szuter’s duties as a public advocate for the Ohio craft brewing industry, in addition to leading the board’s work behind the scenes.

Sitting treasurer Adam Benner of Land-Grant Brewing in Columbus was elevated by membership to vice president for the remainder of his final term on the board. Secretary Melissa Dallas of Upside Brewing in Sylvania was re-elected to another two-year term in the position. David Lentz, co-owner of Cartridge Brewing in Maineville, was elected treasurer for his first term of board service.

Carmone Macfarlane of The Phoenix Brewing Company in Mansfield reclaimed her board seat for a third and final term. Janae Chaney of Rhinegeist and Kelly Montgomery of Third Eye Brewing were both elected to their first terms on the board, representing the Cincinnati area for the state association.

Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki of Penguin City Brewing Company in Youngstown stepped down from the board earlier this year. The association's executive committee appointed Ann Zofchak of Red Wagon Brewing/Four Paws Brewing in Columbia Station to serve the remainder of Lyras-Bernacki's term.

In addition to Szuter, Bobby Slattery of Fifty West Brewing Company in Cincinnati also completed his third and final two-year term of board service in July.

“Alan Szuter's steady and thoughtful leadership has been invaluable to our industry over these past four years,” said Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “As our breweries adjust to the challenges of a mature market, having leadership that represents the diversity of brewery businesses will help our organization serve them all, large or small, urban or rural, long established or just starting up.”

Even with changes in board leadership, the association’s top priority continues to be the push for reform of the Ohio Alcoholic Beverages Franchise Act, a law that traps small and independent breweries in lifetime contracts with beer wholesalers. When that law was passed in 1974, beer wholesalers needed protection from the power and influence of a handful of massive brewing conglomerates. Small breweries did not exist in 1974, but more than 430 are currently operating in Ohio. Meanwhile, wholesalers have consolidated through mergers and acquisitions to become large, powerful companies. Franchise law makes these small, independent breweries subject to the same virtually unbreakable contracts as their huge competitors, creating an imbalance of power between small breweries and the wholesalers they rely on to grow their businesses.

Two bills have been introduced in the Ohio General Assembly this year – Senate Bill 23 and House Bill 194 – which would exempt small and independent breweries from franchise law. The Ohio Craft Brewers Association and its leadership continue to support these bills and urge legislators to pass this common-sense modernization of state law in order to benefit small businesses, local communities and beer consumers.


Founded in 2007, the Ohio Craft Brewers Association is a nonprofit guild that exists to promote, preserve, diversify and unify Ohio’s craft brewing industry. We aspire to be recognized as the industry leader at both state and national levels for preserving the art of making high-quality, unique craft beer; to serve as the unified voice for craft brewers across the state; to advocate on behalf of the Ohio craft beer industry; to contribute to systemic, local community development by driving economic and job growth, while creating experiences that bring people together; to promote safe, responsible enjoyment of Ohio craft beer; and to serve as a beacon for local production and manufacturing through craft beer, resulting in diverse choices for consumers.

Photo key, clockwise from top left: Jason Moore – Crooked Handle Brewing Company, Adam Benner – Land-Grant Brewing Company, Melissa Dallas – Upside Brewing, David Lentz – Cartridge Brewing, Ann Zofchak – Red Wagon Brewing/Four Paws Brewing, Kelly Montgomery – Third Eye Brewing Company, Janae Chaney – Rhinegeist, Carmone Macfarlane – The Phoenix Brewing Company

Midwest Beer News Live Stream: What's Brewing in the Heartland? - 8/8/25

Crafting Colorado Beer: Live with Jerry Siote of Lone Tree Brewing!

Unboxing Firestone Walker’s 2025 Mixed Pack For Summer