Today we’d like to introduce you to Cat Pearce.
Hi Cat, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story is one of self-discovery, fueled by the encouragement of mentors, family, and my husband. After graduating with a degree in Elementary Education, I quickly realized that while I was passionate about life-long learning, teaching in an official capacity wasn’t my destined path. Unsure of where to turn, I leaned on my past experience working in breweries and bottle shops—a world I loved but never imagined pursuing full-time.
One night, overwhelmed and uncertain, I poured out my worries to my husband. “I can’t be a teacher, but I need to contribute financially.” “What if I hate the next thing I pursue? I’ve already changed my degree once, and now with a diploma in hand, I feel lost!” He listened, smiled, and said, “Go be a badass in beer.” Needless to say, after much reassurance and inspiring words from him, I took what he said very seriously. I started hand-delivering my résumé to breweries across town, and within a month, I landed a job in beer sales. It quickly became an all-hands role—sales, deliveries, bartending, event planning, social media—you name it. Along the way, I fell in love with fermentation science, sensory analysis, and the community that forms around sharing a pint.
Through this journey, I discovered the Pink Boots Society, a nonprofit supporting women and non-binary individuals in the fermentation industry via education. The organization became my professional home, and I eventually stepped up to lead our local chapter.
A few years later, at a Pink Boots conference, I sat with Kristie Nystedt, owner of Raleigh Brewing and ABS Commercial over a pint. She offered me a leadership opportunity with ABS—an unexpected pivot from sales to events and communications. I took the leap, and it’s been one of the best decisions of my career.
As Event & Communications Coordinator for Raleigh Brewing and ABS Commercial, I get to connect my love for beer with community impact. I’ve helped organize events like Pride, the Carolina Abortion Fund Fundraiser, the Lenovo & Can’d Aid bike build for local title 1 students, Empty Chair Town Halls with Wake Co. Indivisible, Veteran’s Day Poker Runs, and of course, all of the pet adoption events. I walk away from each of these events feeling fulfilled and immensely thankful that this is what I get to do for a living. Making a difference.
Looking back, I’m filled with gratitude—for my husband’s unwavering support, for finding my niche, and for mentors from Pink Boots and folks like the owners of Bombshell Beer Co., Charney Mitchell, Chris Murray, Kristie Nystedt, and John Szymankiewicz who helped me grow along the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
All things considered, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have worked under strong, supportive leadership throughout my career. The road hasn’t always been smooth, but I’ve had mentors and bosses who guided me through the challenges—a privilege that’s not always common in the male-dominated beer industry. It truly takes grassroots grit to persevere and avoid burnout in this field. One of my biggest personal hurdles has been overcoming imposter syndrome. Earning my Certified Cicerone and Certified BJCP Judge sensory certifications played a major role in conquering that. To put it simply, the Certified Cicerone exam is like an advanced “server’s exam,” while the BJCP certification is more of a “brewer’s exam” for craft beer professionals—similar to what a sommelier is for wine. Though I’ve always been passionate about sensory analysis, I used to doubt that my palate was “good enough” to identify and describe the wide range of flavors in beer.
To build confidence, I began by taking the Sensory Analysis in the Brewing Industry course at Wake Tech to assess my baseline. The class challenged my understanding of beer and brewing, and it opened my eyes to how much work I needed to put in to be ready for the Certified Cicerone’s written and tasting exams. Recognizing that, I organized a local study group of beer professionals, meeting weekly for sensory training and mock exams. Around that time, I also made the decision to quit smoking tobacco—something that greatly improved my sense of taste. Between taking the Wake Tech course and dedicating myself to the study group, it took me three years before I finally felt prepared to sit for both exams. Knowing that fewer than half of first-time examinees pass was intimidating, but eventually, I found the courage to sign up.
The week leading up to the exam, I prepared obsessively. I stuck to bland foods, avoided flavored toothpaste, and even adjusted my routine to fine-tune my palate. I knew I had difficulty detecting diacetyl—one of the key off-flavors tested—so I focused on trusting my first instincts, as mentors had advised. I was the third person to turn in my exam, which did nothing for my nerves, but to my surprise, I passed both the written and tasting portions on my first try!
Today, I’m proud to serve as a Cicerone exam proctor and instructor, lead sensory workshops at the NC Craft Brewers Conference, and facilitate training sessions for members of my local Pink Boots Society chapter. As a former educator, I believe deeply in paying forward the mentorship and support that helped me get here. More than anything, I’m grateful that I found the confidence to take that first leap—and that I now have the opportunity to help others develop their skills and confidence in this industry as well.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What do I specialize in? Honestly, that’s a tough one! I like to think of myself as a bit of a multi-potentialite in this industry because I’ve worn so many different hats over the years. In my current role, I bring together a mix of operational leadership, event management, and educational experience. My background includes everything from sales management and e-commerce to bartending, beer and wine delivery, retail operations, and coordinating events for breweries and allied trade companies. I’m especially passionate about elevating craft beer culture through professional development, sensory education, and community engagement. Whether it’s overseeing retail operations, organizing training sessions and mentorship opportunities, or curating unforgettable experiences for customers and industry partners, I love helping people and businesses grow while creating real connections in the process.
If I had to pick what I’m most proud of, it would be my commitment to being a lifelong learner. You could spend decades in the beer world and still never know it all—and that’s part of what keeps it exciting! For a long time, one gap in my knowledge was the actual brewing side. Even after managing one of the largest homebrew shops on the East Coast, I felt like I still had more to learn. So, after earning my Certified BJCP Judge designation, I went back to school and took the Commercial Craft Brewing course at Wake Tech. Now, I’m considering working toward becoming a judge for the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup—and maybe even pursuing my Advanced Cicerone someday!
What really sets me apart in this industry is that I started out as an educator. That background shapes the way I lead, mentor, and communicate today. It’s made me a stronger organizer, a more patient leader, and someone who genuinely enjoys helping others find their footing. I used to feel frustrated that I wasn’t using my degree “the way I thought I would,” but now I can see how essential it’s been to my success in beer.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
OOF— I was a feral wild child with big emotions, even bigger opinions, and a voice that could fill a room. Honestly, not much has changed! My report cards always said something like, “Cat is a great student and a joy to have in class… but she does need to work on being less talkative during instruction.” Let’s just say I wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and because of that, I was often bullied. It took me a long time to realize that the very traits I was teased for—my energy, my voice, my passion—were actually my strengths.
By the time I got to college, I started shrinking myself to make others more comfortable, and somewhere along the way, I lost touch with the things that once brought me joy.
Growing up, I was lucky to explore a ton of different interests: hunting and fishing, cooking, LEGO robotics, skiing in the Appalachian Mountains, and playing guitar. I loved all of them, but theatre and choir were where I truly found my people. Those groups were a wild mix of misfits, creatives, and the occasional preppy kid—but that’s what made it beautiful. No matter how different we were, we came together to create something meaningful. They were some of the kindest, most genuine people I’d ever met.
Funny enough, that same spirit is what I’ve found in the beer community—a blend of oddballs, artists, and big-hearted folks who share a passion for craft and connection. It feels like coming home.
I wish my younger self could see me now—surrounded by people who not only accept but celebrate my loud, passionate, people-loving nature. The very things I once tried to tone down are now the things that help me thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.raleighbrewing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catthebeerbabe/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-pearce-1716b2214
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VIR2jWkhRVZVYoFSJwQeZ?si=85bfecffda2c454c
