I learned to like beer at the same Jesuit high school as despicable Justice Bret Kavanagh. Here I am taking a beer break from the communal ladle. Budweiser as I recall, 1971 vintage. 

Kelley Coblentz Bautch, PhD, Professor of Religious and Theological Studies at St. Edward's University, is a scholar of Judaism and Christianity in antiquity. While her research and publications take up apocalypticism, angelology, and heavenly ascent traditions, Dr. Coblentz Bautch will be more grounded in her contributions for this panel. Once exclusively a wine drinker, Kelley converted to consumption of beer after tasting the exquisite sumac beer of a local brewery at Hillhops.    

Jeffrey is a Medical Laboratory Scientist, a graduate of Texas State University '14 and the University of Texas '06. Jeffrey enjoys Longhorn Football and spending time with his wife and kids.  He’s been home brewing nearly a decade, and is a member of the FTC management team.

Marvis Dixon, a US Army Iraqi War Veteran and active leader in Austin's craft beer scene, has demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and justice through various roles, including the Director of Alcohol at Riches Art Gallery  and Lead at Fast Friends Beer Co. Marvis’s involvement in initiatives like the Black Is Beautiful campaign and collaboration on the “AS ONE” beer project with Shannon Harris of Urban Jungle Brewing highlights his efforts to promote inclusivity in the craft beer community. Honored with the 2022 Ambassador of Craft award, Marvis's genuine work in the community has  showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to the industry.

I am a native New Orleanian and have been in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for 16 years. I have a Chemistry degree from Tulane University and an MBA from UT Arlington. I have worked in large scale chemical manufacturing my entire career. I love craft beer and the idea of owning a brewery was a big dream of mine. My business partner and friend was a home-brewer. We started Neutral Ground Brewing Company in late 2018 and opened our doors in 2021.

Brian Sheerin specializes in literature of the English Renaissance, and regularly teaches courses in Shakespeare, Medieval Literature, and Literary Theory. He is particularly interested in how Medieval and Elizabethan literature gets represented in film and popular culture. Dr. Sheerin prefers bourbon to beer, but has not yet found evidence of Shakespeare's appreciation for Kentucky spirits. 

As a Dallas native, I bring over 11 years of extensive experience as a Brand Ambassador, coupled with a remarkable journey as the Moderator for "Being Black in Craft." I proudly serve as the Co-chair for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) at Pink Boots, holding the esteemed position of President for the North Texas Chapter. Additionally, I contribute to the industry's advancement as a Social Curator for Lifting Lucy and play a pivotal role in promoting diversity and inclusion as a member of the DEI committee for the Texas Craft Brewers Guild.