What’s your current position at your brewery, and how did you get started in the craft brewing industry?
I am the owner/founder of True Vine Brewing Company in Tyler, Texas. I was an avid homebrewer for years before stumbling upon the book The Search for God and Guinness, the biography of the Guinness family. I was inspired by their mission of bringing jobs, health, and community to their city. I wanted to do the same for the growing community of Tyler and knew a brewery was the perfect way to do that.
What’s new at True Vine?
On March 30 we celebrated our fifth year in business. We’ve recently expanded our menu to include wine. Although our passion and focus will always be on beer, we feel including wine on the menu will help us expand our reach into our market that is relatively new to the craft beer scene. We acquired our winery license but will be bringing in wine from a local vineyard.
What’s the best part of being a part of the craft brewing community?
We’ve always said the best part about this business is the people you meet along the way. To be around people who believe in and share this passion for craft beer is something that will never get old.
Name a favorite food and beer pairing.
BBQ and IPA! For me, the true test of an IPA is how well it stands up to the heat and sweet of a good plate of Texas BBQ.
What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?
My family. My wife, two girls, and son are my life. As long as they’re with me, no other success or failure can compare.
What’s your favorite beer from another brewery?
Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA. It’s such a balanced and flavorful IPA, it blows me away every time.
What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?
Cooking, especially outdoors, is definitely a love and a de-stresser for me. Plus, I love eating!
What’s the most memorable travel destination at which you’ve had a chance to sample the local beer?
Sampling Sam Adams Boston Lager in the tasting room of the Boston Brewery after a tour was such a surreal moment. The entire city of Boston is so entrenched in history and is an incredible place for beer drinkers. To sample so many craft beer staples in one city and then finish with Boston Lager, one of the beers that helped start the craft beer movement, was a memorable experience.