Robin Shepard serves the Department of Life Sciences Communication as an Associate Professor with expertise in environmental communication campaigns, and evaluating non-formal education and extension programs. Beyond his primary academic and administrative responsibilities Robin is perhaps as well known for his historic brewery walks and presentations. In 2006 he received the WAA’s Award for Outstanding Outreach and Teaching for his informative and often entertaining look at the culture of beer. In 2012 he led a group of UW Alumni on a 12 day educational tour through Germany, which included cultural and natural history; and, yes, a study of beer. His book “Wisconsin‘s Best Breweries and Brewpubs: Searching for the Perfect Pint" was given the top book prize in 2001 by the North American Guild of Beer Writers. He’s also written two additional books about the brewing industry. Last fall he published a historical analysis of Wisconsin’s post-prohibition brewing industry in the international journal of Brewing History. You can find his regular weekly column, BEER HERE, in both the Isthmus newspaper, and the paper’s web-based Daily Page.