Jennifer Newman

Jennifer Newman is the co-founder and CEO of Young Lion Brewing Company (YLBC), a craft brewery located in Canandaigua, New York.12 She entered the craft beer industry not as a beer technician, but as a seasoned entrepreneur and business analyst, having previously co-founded and sold three software start-ups.2

YLBC, which Newman co-founded in 2017, quickly became one of the larger microbreweries in New York State.2 The company features a 1,000-square-foot taproom and a 2,400-square-foot event space near Canandaigua Lake in the Finger Lakes region.2 Under Newman's leadership, YLBC has gained recognition in various publications, including Forbes and Men's Health.4

As a female leader in a male-dominated industry, Newman has faced challenges and misconceptions. At industry events, she often encountered assumptions that her male colleagues owned the brewery rather than her.2 Despite these challenges, Newman has been instrumental in YLBC's success, with the company's beers being carried by over 1,000 locations in Western and Central New York.4

In November 2023, Newman announced the sale of YLBC's brewing facility and taproom to Other Half Brewing Company, while retaining ownership of the Young Lion brand.4 She is known for her thoughtful, brilliant, and genuine approach to business, as noted by industry colleagues.3