Papazian, Charles, “Charlie” (1949–), is the president of the Brewers Association in Boulder, Colorado. Papazian is one of the most influential American beer personalities, often referred to as the “father of homebrewing.” He has inspired homebrewers through his published works and craft brewers through the trade organization he started in 1978. First, Papazian founded the American Homebrewers Association for homebrewers and shortly thereafter the Association of Brewers for the burgeoning microbrewery industry of small commercial breweries.

Papazian received a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering in 1972 from the University of Virginia. While in college, a friend’s neighbor showed off his basement homebrewing system, and the budding engineer was intrigued, not only by the taste of the beer but also by the brewing process. After college, Papazian moved to Colorado, where he began brewing at home and later taught others to homebrew.

His notes eventually became the first Complete Joy of Homebrewing, initially published as a pamphlet in 1976. Two years later, Papazian self- published a completely revised 80-page version. This eventually became the seminal guide for homebrewers. Later published in an expanded form by HarperCollins, it has since gone through 25 printings and 3 editions, selling more than 1 million copies.

Papazian is also the author of several other books, including The Homebrewers Companion and Microbrewed Adventures. He now travels the world as a lecturer and presenter at numerous prestigious events, such as the National Press Club, the National Restaurant Association, and Slow Food’s Salone del Gusto in Italy.