Jill Vaughn

Jill Vaughn (born 1968) was a brewmaster at Anheuser-Busch (now Anheuser-Busch InBev) from 1992 to 2018. She developed and released beers such as Bud Light Lime, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light Platinum, Shock Top, and the Straw-Ber-Rita.

Education Vaughn was born in 1968 and grew up in Ohio. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Food Technology and Animal Science from Ohio State University in 1990, and Master of Science in Food Science and Technology from Ohio State University in 1992.

Vaughn was instrumental in developing and releasing many of Anheuser-Busch's most popular beers, including Bud Light Platinum, Bud Light Lime, Michelob Ultra, and Straw-Ber-Rita; however, it is her work as the brewers of Shock Top that gained her the most attention. She developed both Shock Top and Straw-Ber-Rita with Rebecca Bennett.

Her work releasing new beer brands was time intensive, a process she said took anywhere from six to 18 months from idea to finished product. She noted that “The fun part, the creative part for me, is taking those ideas and words and translating them into a recipe that works. That's where the art and science of brewing intersect.”

Employment after Anheuser-Busch Between 2017 and 2018, Vaughn worked as the Director for a joint venture between Anheuser-Busch InBev and Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. to develop a new "in-home" alcohol drink system; the following year, she worked for Archer Daniels Midland Company as their Senior Director for Product Development and Application in the WILD Flavors & Specialty Ingredients Business Unit. Since 2019, Vaughn has been the Senior Director for Research and Development at the Balchem Corporation.

Professional involvement Vaughn has been a member of American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC), Brewers Association, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), OSU CFAES, and Society of Sensory Professionals (SSP).