Before Jared Williamson became known for shaping the future of beer as head brewer at Schlafly, he was drawn to the kind of fulfillment that comes from turning curiosity and effort into something real. For Williamson, brewing has always lived at the intersection of science and art.
A musician and writer outside the brewhouse, he approaches beer as another creative medium, one that rewards curiosity and experimentation. From pioneering Schlafly’s use of Galaxy hops years before they became mainstream, to shaping fan favorites like Tasmanian IPA and Just A Bit Hazy IPA, to overseeing the barrel-aged Ibex Cellar series, he has built a career on thoughtful innovation rather than trend chasing. It’s that sensibility that has guided his 14-plus years at Schlafly, where Williamson has built not only a portfolio of respected beers, but also a genuine connection to the people he brews for. “Jared blends the science of high-skilled brewing with the consciousness of a poet,” said Vice-Chair David Schlafly. “The beers he creates are unique and perfected through painstaking attention to the technical details of brewing.”
In an industry long defined by high-alcohol IPAs and ever-escalating intensity, Williamson is guiding a considered evolution in craft beer. His latest passion project, Schlafly’s new Shorty’s line, reimagines what sessionable beer can be. Drawing inspiration from Old World European “table beers,” the collection focuses on brews in the 2.5-3% range that still deliver the depth and character craft drinkers crave. “There’s this whole space between nonalcoholic beer and traditional craft beer that’s been overlooked,” Williamson explained. “That’s where I see opportunity.”
He regularly invites bartenders, buyers and everyday drinkers to test new batches, shaping each release through conversation and feedback. “The best part is watching people get it and seeing them truly enjoy something you created,” he shared.
For Schlafly CEO James “Otto” Ottolini, that ability to cultivate human connection in his work is just as central to Williamson’s impact as his technical skill. “There is an art and there is a science to most everything,” Ottolini said. “Jared is one of those people who has a foot firmly planted in each of those realms.” For Ottolini, it’s Williamson’s breadth of creativity, from words to music to beer, that defines the moments people return for. “This makes him not simply an excellent brewer, but an all-around great person to be around.”
As the world of brewing evolves, Williamson stands at a unique crossroads – straddling the cutting edge of innovation while exploring what he calls the “final frontier” of craft beer: lower-ABV brews that never compromise on flavor. Whether it’s a parent who wants flavor without the fog of a heavy pour or a longtime craft fan embracing moderation, his vision keeps Schlafly at the center of a changing culture.
Editor’s note: The following was not part of the original article in our February 2026 print edition; however, Schlafly’s new Shorty’s mid-strength beer line was announced shortly after publication.
Schlafly has just introduced a new year-round line of mid-strength brews called Shorty’s, reflecting changing drinking habits and a growing appetite for lower-alcohol options that still deliver plenty of flavor. The lineup includes a German-inspired Lager, a Radler-style Lemon Wheat and a hop-forward Small IPA, each designed to offer a balanced, easy-drinking experience. Named after head brewer Jared Williamson’s senior rescue dachshund, the beers playfully embrace the tagline “short on alcohol, long on flavor.” Shorty’s is available now in six-pack cans throughout Schlafly’s distribution area as well as on draft and in retail six-packs at the Schlafly Tap Room in downtown St. Louis and Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood.
Thirsty for more about Williamson? Don’t miss our recent podcast episode with him.
This article appears in February 2026.