Our People

Ellen Dierberg (Owner)

Growing up, Ellen spent her weekends working at Maifest and Oktoberfest in Hermann at her parent's winery, Hermannhof.  After leaving college, Ellen worked for several years working in marketing. It wasn’t long, however, before her love for the complexities and history of wine drew her back to the family business.

This passion carried over to beer as Ellen traveled to learn more about the German culture and history that so infused Hermann. During her travels, she experienced the best German beers fresh from the tap along with the comraderie and culture of the beer hauses. The irony that Hermann, with its rich German heritage, had no brewery was not lost on her.

Inspired by her experiences in Germany, Ellen began to think about opening a brewery in Hermann. She soon met Don Gosen, who owned a brewery just outside Hermann. Ellen instantly recognized in Don’s beers the qualities and character of the classic German lagers she had tasted in Germany.  Thus, Tin Mill Brewing Company was born.

Don Gosen (Owner and Brewmaster)

Growing up in Hermann, Don learned from his family to appreciate his German heritage and the beauties of life in this part of Missouri.

After earning his MBA, Don worked in banking and insurance, moving to upstate New York.  It was here Don became an avid, some would say obsessive, home brewer. This led to small stints working for various breweries. Don received his Brewing Certificate from the Institute of Brewing & Distilling in London, England and completed his brewing microbiology education at the Lallemand Institute in Montreal, Canada.

His passion for his hometown and for German lagers and beers, moved Don to return to Missouri, where he purchased a German brew house, moved it to Hermann and opened a small estate brewery on the edge of town. Shortly afterward, Don met Ellen, whose passion for Hermann and German beer matched his own.  Together they founded Tin Mill Brewing Company.

Elijah Holt (Brewer)

Elijah started his career working for a highly awarded winery. After several years, he decided to give brewing a try. He came to Tin Mill Brewery in 2007.

Elijah takes a traditional and deliberate approach to every batch of beer. As a young brewer he is excited about the craft brew movement and wants to make sure that Tin Mill is on top of things. We’re looking forward to expanding our traditional line as Elijah pushes the limits of beer making.