Milwaukee-based City Lights Brewing Co. has added former MillerCoors and Stella Artois executive David Ryder as chief innovation officer.
The company described Ryder, who recently retired from MillerCoors, as “arguably the world’s most accomplished brewer” and said he will help with brewing innovations, educational outreach, government compliance and implementation of quality policies and procedures.
“We are both excited and humbled to have Dr. Ryder join our team. David brings an unmatched wealth of brewing knowledge and expertise and he is as nice personally as he is accomplished professionally,” said Robin Gohsman, City Lights president.
City Lights is converting the former Milwaukee Gas Light Co. buildings in the Menomonee Valley into a home for its brewing operations. The company plans to have a 30 barrel brewhouse, canning line, logistics center, tasting room and beer garden at the site and will begin operations in 2017.
Ryder retired as a vice president from MillerCoors with responsibilities for brewing, research, innovation and quality operations.
“My passion has always been perfecting the delicate balance between the science and art of brewing,” Ryder said. I am excited to join what promises to be a truly exceptional craft brewery and assist the brewing team in creating consistently high quality and balanced, great tasting brews.”
Ryder is a native of England and was international technical consultant and global operations manager for Belgium-based Stella Artois. He then moved to Chicago and was vice president of technical services at for J.E. Siebel Sons Inc., including at the Siebel Institute.
Ryder has 23 patents related to hops and brewing. He received his undergraduate degree in biological sciences from the University of London and a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Cape Town in South Africa and the University of Brussels in Belgium.
