Microbrewing beer might be a male-dominated sport, but one of the industry's biggest medal winners is a petite, 42-year-old redhead with a decidedly female attribute: She's not afraid to ask for directions.

Tonya Cornett frequently calls or texts other brewers for advice on methods and processes—a technique she calls "cracking their heads open to see what they do." She also consults with chefs to discuss flavors and aromas and urges competitors to dissect her beers and tell her what she needs to improve.

"Feedback is crucial," said Ms. Cornett, who has been bringing home scores of prizes to the small, 1,000-barrel-a-year Bend Brewery in Bend, Ore., where she's the beer maker. In 2008, she won the best-brewmaster award at the World Beer Cup—the first and only time a woman has taken the title.