Kevin Hopkins

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What’s your current position at your brewery, and how did you get started in the craft brewing industry?

I am currently vice president at Mother Earth Brew Co. [in Vista, Calif.] with a primary focus on our sales and distribution both domestically and internationally. Having served in the military and then as a government contractor, I developed a taste for fine lagers and ales from my travels. After a career in the corporate world, I made my “passion play” to enter craft 10 years ago and haven’t looked back!

What’s new at Mother Earth?

Currently we own and operate two production breweries in two states [California and Idaho] and we are adding new markets every month to their production load. Additionally, we implemented a full rebranding initiative including new tap handles and labels. Our Resinator Series of beers is also on fire and we are working hard to maintain production to meet the high sales demand system-wide.

What’s the best part of being a part of the craft brewing community?

The opportunity to take one’s education, background, and experience and apply it to a burgeoning industry that is still in its relative infancy.

Name a favorite food and beer pairing.

You can never go wrong with bier-braised brats served with hot potato salad, homemade sauerkraut, and pickled cabbage alongside a perfectly chilled K lsch.

What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?

My children, hands down. They and my wonderful wife make everything worthwhile.

What’s your favorite beer that your brewery does not produce?

My favorite beer is the one that I’m drinking with a friend, new or old.

What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?

Experience life in nearly every way possible. Travel, driving, motorcycle riding, flying, diving, hiking, dining’anything that affords me the opportunity to meet new people and their way of life.

What’s the most memorable travel destination at which you’ve had a chance to sample the local beer?

England. I lived there for a number of years, and my experiences at pubs as well as attending small, local beer festivals where the highest gravity cask was the last tapped each night are unforgettable.

 


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