Sander Hoekstra - (sander.hoekstra@oregonbrewcrew.org) - A class at Steinbart started my homebrewing hobby in 2014. Like most people I started with extract brewing and after a few batches I switched to all grain brewing on an electric two vessel system.

The beers I brew are usually in the low to mid-level ABV level and range from lagers, stouts, wit's, IPA's and whatever appetizes me.

I grew up in The Netherlands and whenever I am back there, I do my best to drink my fresh sample of European beers.

Steve Jones (Steve.Jones@oregonbrewcrew.org)

I retired from Nike in 2019, after a nearly 40-year career in Engineering, Manufacturing, and Sports Product Development & Testing. Outside of brewing beer, I have expanded my interests in making other beverages (cider, mead, wine, kombucha, ginger beer, kefir and tepache), and other fermented foods (pickling, hot sauce, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, gochugaru and many others). I have also re-engaged with gardening, starting most of my plants from seeds indoors, then taking over our backyard every summer.

I am married, with two sons and two grandkids (that we love to spoil). I also enjoy hiking, backpacking, travel and other outdoor activities.

John Koger (john.koger@oregonbrewcrew.org) - John moved to Portland from Ohio in the spring of 2022 after retiring from a 38 year career, including 24 years on active duty and 14 years as a civil servant, in the US Air Force.  Just before coming to Portland John earned a certificate in sustainable brewing from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Michigan.  He has been home brewing off  and on (mostly off) for 15 years now.  Since joining OBC in early 2023 he has become a certified BJCP judge.

Other than home brewing John"s interests include hiking, riding motorcycles, flying, reading, fitness, and Euchre (a card game you probably have never heard of if you're not from the midwest).

John lives with his girlfriend, Liz in SE Portland and has two adult children, Ryan and Ashley, who live in NE Portland.

Gary Rischitelli (gary@obc.beer) - I grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — where beer is part of life, whether it’s game
day, hunting season, or a holiday table. In college in Latrobe, I studied in the home of Rolling Rock and Benedictine monks who brewed dunkelbier before Prohibition.

Houston came next, fueled by 25-cent Lone Star longnecks until a visit to a legendary beer bar called The Gingerman changed everything. My first taste of Pilsner Urquell opened the door to European beer, and many evenings followed with darts, good friends, and great imports.

I moved to Portland in 1987 for an internship at Emanuel Hospital. On rare nights off, my fellow interns and I brewed beer in the apartments behind the hospital and relaxed at BridgePort Brewing.

After a long pause in homebrewing, my appreciation for craft beer never left. Now, as I wind down my career, I’ve returned to the hobby and joined OBC, continuing to improve my brewing while pursuing Advanced Cicerone® certification and BJCP judging credentials.

As Membership Chair, I bring a simple philosophy: the more the merrier. I look forward to welcoming new members and strengthening the friendships that make this club special.
Cheers!