We sat down with Katie to talk beer, marketing and what it takes to be a beer-fluencer.
Katie let’s kick things off the old-fashioned way. Tell us 5 fun facts about you, in no particular order.
KB: I’m a D.C. transplant from Pittsburgh. Washington D.C. is fantastic, but a lot of my heart, and the majority of my friends and family, are still in the 412.
My favorite fun fact: My high school mascot was a unicorn. No joke. (I studied writing at a school for the Creative and Performing Arts, so, it works.)
Music is a huge part of my life, and I collect vinyl records. My “most spun” is probably Pink Floyd’s The Wall.
Part of what inspires my playful attitude toward beer and art is my job—I’m a second-grade teacher.
I bake a really mean pie from scratch. The secret is always in the crust.
We’d love to hear about how your passion for beer came about. What is it about this industry that draws you in?
KB: Growing up, my mom’s side of the family was very active in the Pittsburgh wine scene, and my dad was knowledgeable about beer and whiskey, so I was raised having a lot of respect and interest in all varieties of alcohol. As I got older, my dad would encourage me to opt for local micro brews instead of the generic domestics when we’d go out, and I think seeing all the great things that local breweries were putting out got me excited and passionate about the industry. Plus, I’ve just met the most kind, awesome people in the beer community.
What led you to bring your passion for this industry on Instagram, of all available social media platforms?
KB: Instagram is all about keeping it simple. You take the picture, find some relevant hashtags that help extend your reach, and you post. That’s it. Search and find what you want. It keeps users engaged and the flow of information moving. The simplicity allows me to invest more time into the actual photographs and less into the platform. I’m not a professional photographer by any means but planning and laying out the pictures is my favorite part. Like I mentioned earlier, my approach to appreciating beer stems from a creative and playful place, so when I started seeing a few accounts posting amazing beer photography, and I thought that it looked like a fun way to reach out into the community.
In our industry, the craft whiskey market is pushing the boundaries with different cask finishes, aging techniques, among other things. In comparison, what is the craft brewery industry doing to stand out from the standard ales you find in local markets.
KB: A lot of breweries are allowing themselves to do a lot more “thinking outside the box” than what the industry has demanded before, and as a result, so many places are producing brews with these insanely unique flavor combinations and really challenging the traditional view of so many styles. I know a lot of purists oppose it, and I do honestly believe that a lot of the “trendy beer styles” we’ve been seeing will fade out eventually, but it’s cool to see local brewers flexing their creativity muscles.
How do you think Social Media is directly impacting the wider reach of Craft Beer Brewers, helping or hurting their brand?
KB: I think that social media is really extending the reach of craft beer and exposing it to an audience that might not have otherwise been interested. For instance, I have a few friends that aren’t big beer drinkers who, now, will send me texts like, “Hey, I saw that one IPA that you posted about on your Instagram and bought it for a party,” and get really excited about craft brews with me. That’s always fun.
Let’s get personal. What are some of the most important things in your life?
KB: My family, number one. I’m an only child, so my parents are my whole life. They still treat me like their little girl, and it’s really sweet, close dynamic. Also, it’s taken me most of my adult life so far to realize the importance of this one, but self-care is hugely important to me. Like a lot of other people, I struggle with anxiety, so taking some time to look out for my own mental and emotional well-being is critical. So, yeah, I cherish self-care, whatever that may mean in the moment—sometimes it’s a pedicure, or sleeping in, or binge-watching true crime documentaries, or maybe just a nice cold beer at the end of a long day.
Where do you see this industry 5 years from now? 10?
KB: I see the craft industry continuing to grow, but in a much more conscientious way than the “new brewery popping up on every corner” growth that it has had over the past few years. There is obviously a crazy over-saturation of the brewery market right now, and between that, general societal shifts, and category competition, the craft beer industry could end up cannibalizing itself if brewers aren’t vigilant about quality, differentiation, and customer service. I would also LOVE to see more diversity in the industry; I know many have been trying, but there is still a long way to go.
Best atmosphere, mood or environment to grab a cold brew?
KB: Kicking off your shoes, popping on a record, and cracking a cold one as you sink into the comfort of your couch at the end of the day. Nothing better.
The greatest lesson you’ve learned in business is…
KB: It’s okay to not have all the answers, and don’t be afraid to have a little fun while you figure them out. Being a constant learner is one of the joys of both business and life.
How often do you take a break from social media to recharge?
KB: Social media usually IS my mental recharge! After teaching all day, engaging with other Instagrammers and scrolling their posts is really relaxing for me. That being said, I do let myself go “offline” every once in a while, if I notice that it is having more of a negative effect on my mental state than a positive one.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
KB: Not to end on a political note, but as both a woman and an educator, I’ve personally experienced (and witnessed far too many friends experience) some backlash for my craft beer ”hobby”. So, I just want to take a stand on that and say that everyone is entitled to enjoy the fruits of this industry in moderation, and it should never be at the cost of her personal or professional reputation. People, particularly women, in this community shouldn’t have to worry that we will be accused of “faking” our knowledge or enjoyment of beer, nor be judged for the ways that we present it on social media. After all, brewing was women’s work until it became big business, so according to history we should really be thanking women for beer, not shaming us for it. #sorrynotsorry
Thank you, TasteTheDram, for working against the stereotypes by highlighting so many awesome female beer influencers, and a BIG virtual cheer to all the readers!
