Suzanne Nance, Lead Brewer at Breckenridge Brewery

A Story Shaped by Mountains, Rivers and Beer

As told to Lisa Blake by Suzanne Nance

Some people spend their lives following a plan. Suzanne Nance followed a river. The suburban Chicago native grew up with a healthy dose of stability and support—she’ll tell you it’s the kind of upbringing that bolsters the confidence required to dream big. And so she did.

Fresh out of Denison University with a degree in economics, Nance set aside her quest to land the perfect downtown Chicago consulting job and said yes to a spot on a friend’s Grand Canyon-bound raft.

“What I thought was just a break became the beginning of the end of the life I thought I wanted,” Nance says.

Here, Nance shares her journey from the Midwest to the mountains to motherhood:

Surrounded by the sounds of waves echoing off the canyon walls and sleeping under a blanket of stars, something in me shifted. The rhythm of camp life, the heat of the sun, the challenge of the whitewater—it chipped away at the polished version of who I thought I was supposed to be. I found a strength and sense of peace and contentment in myself I had never known.

I came home, took a deep breath, and made the boldest decision of my life. I moved to Breckenridge with no job, no plan, and a three-month deadline: find work, make friends, carve out a life or head back to Chicago. Twenty-four years later, I’m still here.

My first job was at a ski shop, where I quickly moved through the ranks, leaning on my college education and strong work ethic. That job introduced me to a kind, wild-hearted tight-knit crew who would become some of my closest friends. Summers were spent paddle guiding raft trips. Then came a part-time hosting job at the Breckenridge Brewery, a small side gig meant to help pay off credit card debt. I had no idea it would change the trajectory of my entire career.

I settled into brewery life quickly, picking up shifts and moving from server to bartender—a position not easily earned. The more I immersed myself in brewery culture, the more curious I became about what was happening behind the scenes. I started paying attention to the brewers, their process, and the hard work, both physically and artistically, that went into making beer. I believed in the company. I believed in the product. And I wanted to be a bigger part of it.

At first, nothing made sense. Brewing was a whole new world of science, precision, and terminology I had never encountered. But I had an appetite to learn and a drive for detail—things that align with making good beer. For the next six years, I continued bartending while taking on the role of part-time assistant brewer, throwing myself into the work.

I knew going into the brewing industry that, as a woman, I would face some hurdles, stereotypes to overcome, and big personalities to navigate. What I did not expect was how many allies I would find. From the start, our head brewer and assistant brewer poured their knowledge, energy, and trust into me. The local brewing community welcomed me in, and while the “boy’s club” vibe was definitely present, it softened into something that felt more like big brothers. After all, I was the first and, at that time, the only female brewer in Summit County.

Six years into my role as part-time assistant brewer, the full-time lead brewer position opened, just as I announced my pregnancy. But the leadership at the Breckenridge Brewery did not hesitate. They saw my potential clearly, even when I was still squinting to see it myself. They offered me the job without pause.

Three years later, I am still the lead brewer and I am proud to say I have made it my own. I have overseen the production of award-winning beers, led national collaborations, and helped build a culture grounded in quality, hard work, innovation, and inclusion. I have learned to trust my instincts, raise my voice, and own my seat at the table, even on the hard days.

My advice for women looking to enter this field? Do not let fear of being underestimated hold you back. Ask questions. Listen deeply. And don’t shrink yourself to fit into someone else’s version of what a brewer should look like. This work has room for your voice, your style, and your presence.

PS – Not only is she a connoisseur of all things Brews, Suzanne is a terrific writer. She has crafted a longer version of her story, CLICK HERE to read!