For too long, craft brewers and distillers have been denied a seat at the table in terms of sourcing quality malts, due to a supply chain controlled by corporate brewing conglomerates focused on yield over flavor – which has subsequently limited the true potential of craft producers.
So now we – along with our craft brewing and distilling collaborators – are stirring things up. With an engaged, personal approach focused on partnership, our mission is to give craft producers more of a voice (and more choice) in the development of new products and flavors. Whether a startup entrepreneur or an industry leader, our aim is to work with those who both appreciate tradition and embrace innovation.
Herein lies the freshest approach to exceptional malts.
Our aim is to work with those who both appreciate tradition and embrace innovation.
Meet the Team
When the sun comes up over the Big Snowy, we’re already hard at work: on a constant mission to help craft more flavorful beer, spirits and foods.
Our people have big ideas and a bold vision to transform the craft malt business. We’re curious minds and tenacious problem-solvers, intent on doing good business with good people. Steeped in skills and experience, our team shares an unapologetic ambition to create and share the world’s best malts.
Jen O'Brien
President
Jen O’Brien, President of Montana Craft Malt, is a woman on a mission. A proud Montana native with an affinity for agriculture, she came to MCM to carry on the legacy of her father, Ron Ueland, the founder of the company. Jen's...
Read MoreJen O'Brien
President
Jen's background includes extensive experience in business analysis, sales operations, and brand strategy. A University of Washington graduate, Jen has a degree in accounting with a marketing emphasis. She began her career as a business analyst at The Washington Post from 2000 to 2003 before spending almost a decade at Google in global sales operations and business development. During her time at Google, Jen gained valuable experience guiding large brand names to establish and manage brand positions across technology, healthcare, and professional services industries. After leaving Google in 2012, Jen founded her own brand strategy consulting firm, where she continued to guide companies in managing and establishing brand positions.
It was Jen's love for her home state and her commitment to her father’s vision that brought Jen and her family back to Montana. Taking on the leadership of Montana Craft Malt, Jen has dedicated her efforts to growing the company's business and building its quality reputation both domestically and internationally while preserving the values that make Montana such a special place. Her approach has led to a strong and tight-knit organization that contributes to the local economy and is fully integrated with the surrounding community.
Despite her busy schedule, Jen still finds time to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with her family. For her, it's all about balance, and finding ways to recharge and stay connected with the people and places she loves.
Jake TeSelle
Sales Manager
As Montana Craft Malt’s Sales Manager, Jake serves as an ambassador to the brewing community, dedicated to spreading the word about MCM’s top-quality malts and providing exceptional service to his customers. Jake has deep roots in Montana, where he is a fifth-generation...
Read MoreJake TeSelle
Sales Manager
Jake has deep roots in Montana, where he is a fifth-generation farmer, owning a successful hop farm in Bozeman. With over eight years’ experience in the brewing sector, Jake is well-versed in all aspects of beer production from grain to glass. He brings an engineer’s mindset to his craft, always looking for ways to improve and innovate in the industry.
When Jake is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, gaming, and exploring the beautiful outdoors of Montana.
Gunnar Brekke
Plant Manager
Gunnar is Montana Craft Malt’s Plant Manager, overseeing all aspects of plant operations, monitoring the health of the facility, and ensuring the safety of the team. Gunnar has been a part of building MCM’s business from the beginning, having led the assembly...
Read MoreGunnar Brekke
Plant Manager
Gunnar has been a part of building MCM’s business from the beginning, having led the assembly of MCM’s facility as a Project Engineer for Dick Anderson Construction. Impressed by his critical thinking skills, ability to execute, and natural leadership qualities, MCM asked Gunnar to come aboard and run the facility that he so thoughtfully built. With in-depth knowledge of every piece of equipment, Gunnar knows what it takes to keep top-quality malt production running smoothly.
Born in Helena, Montana, Gunnar grew up in a family of builders, raised with a strong work ethic and determination to succeed. He attended Montana State University in Bozeman, where he played football for the Bobcats and earned his bachelor’s degree in finance.
When he's not busy managing operations at the plant, Gunnar enjoys outdoor activities like skiing, hunting, and fly fishing, as well as attending live shows and spending time with family and friends.
Bryan Taylor
Head Maltster
Head Maltster for MCM since 2020, Bryan is responsible for malt quality, developing new products, production output set forth in budgets, maintaining consistency in all products, and giving instruction and training to the assistant maltster(s). Bryan's passion for traditional European-style malts is...
Read MoreBryan Taylor
Head Maltster
Bryan's journey began at Argilla Brewing Co in Newark, Delaware, where he worked as a brewer for three years. From there, he moved on to a four-year stint at Cargill Malt in Spiritwood, North Dakota where he became a maltster. His next stop was Stone Path Malt in Wareham, Massachusetts, where he spent three years honing his craft.
Outside of work, Bryan keeps himself busy with a variety of hobbies. He enjoys playing tennis, pitching in to help Jake Teselle at his hop farm during the summertime, working the canning line at MAP Brewing, grabbing a beer with his friends and colleagues after work, and visiting breweries both locally and wherever his travels take him.
With 10 years of experience in brewing and malting, Bryan brings a wealth of knowledge to his role as Head Maltster. He also holds a finance degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bryan is a proud member of the Master Brewers Association of the Americas (MBAA), having joined the association in 2016.
Megan Dupuis
Assistant Maltster
As an Assistant Maltster, Megan is in charge of malthouse operations, malt quality and production output. She has been a lead malthouse operator and team member since 2021, and was recently promoted to her current position in 2023. Megan is a tireless...
Read MoreMegan Dupuis
Assistant Maltster
Megan is a tireless team player who is not afraid to get her hands dirty. She works throughout the entire malthouse, walking thousands of steps a day (not that she’s counting) to make sure that the equipment is running as it should and the team is focused. Her passion for her work means that she doesn't stop until the job gets done, and even then, she's ready for more.
Before joining the MCM team in 2021, Megan spent two years as a ranch hand for Fleecer Cattle Co in Freely, MT. Her background in the great outdoors has given her a passion for anything outdoors, including hiking, fishing, backpacking, hunting, and camping.
Megan's credentials include a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Montana State University in Bozeman, as well as a one-week malting course in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada through CMBTC, giving her a strong foundation in the science behind malt production and the knowledge needed to excel in her current role.
Chelsey Miller
Business Development
While she got her start with MCM as a Malt House Plant Operator, Chelsey has quickly transitioned into a business development role where she is responsible for identifying and managing new business opportunities for the company, managing distribution customers and toll customers...
Read MoreChelsey Miller
Business Development
Originally from Maryland, Chelsey grew up in Michigan and played for the Varsity Women's Soccer Team while attending Michigan State University. After graduating, Chelsey spent 6 years at Neuberger Berman, an investment management firm, in Chicago and New York City. Chelsey moved to Colorado in 2020 to pursue her master’s in agriculture and resource economics at Colorado State University, discovering a passion for agriculture.
Since then, Chelsey has deepened her knowledge, conducting research on local food systems, working for a bean mill, livestock farm, and vegetable producer in Colorado, and completing a 1-week malting course in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada through CMBTC.
Chelsey enjoys yoga, art, music, and the outdoors. She holds a degree in Marketing from Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, has her 500-hour yoga teacher certification and has been teaching since 2019.
Chelsey is excited to see how MCM evolves and grows with the craft beer and distilling industry. She’s passionate about how MCM can use its position in the market for grain to re-prioritize the importance of the farmer and the agricultural industry overall.
Alayna Johnson
Office Manager
Alayna, Office Manager at Montana Craft Malt, has had an eclectic career path. She has worked as a pizza cook, casino runner, bartender, car saleswoman, and even a UPS package delivery driver. It was a coworker's departure from UPS to become an...
Read MoreAlayna Johnson
Office Manager
Alayna has an associate of applied Science in accounting and business technology/business technology from Helena College University of Montana and a Certificate of Applied Science in Entrepreneurship. She puts her education to work handling MCM’s administrative functions, marketing, and logistics.
Off the clock, Alayna enjoys visiting local breweries and distilleries, attending live music events, supports the local rugby team (Butte C.R.A.B.S.), and loves cooking. She periodically cooks breakfast, lunch, and celebratory dishes for the MCM crew in honor of the hard work they do. Alayna is thrilled to be working with an amazing team and looks forward to a bright future with Montana Craft Malt.
Where the Magic Happens
From saloons that quenched the silver mining era to our rebellious relationship to Prohibition and early embrace of the independent craft beverage movement, Montanans have always enjoyed a great life with a great drink.
Our state-of-the-art facility produces 10,000 tonnes of malt annually, with the capacity for full production scale as well as small batch trials. Spanning more than 50,000 sq. ft. on nine acres, we are strategically positioned at the intersection of two interstate highways and a railway spur, assuring the supply chain from our growers through to our customers.
We have the scale and flexibility to produce the small batches innovative producers desire, while assuring a consistent and ready supply of staple products.
And our forward-thinking spirit is built right into our facility in our Innovation and Resource Center, which, in conjunction with the Montana State University Barley and Malt Quality Lab, serves as a precision test kitchen for customers and collaborators to work with us to coax new malt flavors from premium quality grain.
Located in Butte, Montana Craft Malt embraces our Western heritage, and our locale’s worthy relationship to good beer and whiskey.
Why Montana?
Today, Montana maintains its heritage as being among the best climates on the planet for growing barley. Montana sees minimal crop disease, and benefits from the pristine aquifers that find their sources in the Rocky Mountains. Our growers employ sophisticated techniques – with the help of experts from Montana State University’s Barley Breeding Program – to innovate and expand their farming operations.
And what does all that mean for beer and spirits enthusiasts? Our engaged brewer and distiller network is pushing the proverbial pint forward in offering some of the most nuanced and refreshing concoctions you’ll find anywhere around here.
from butte to billings, towering grain elevators loom above small towns and rambling cities. These stately structures tell the story of Montana's history as the world's foremost producer of barley and wheat.