Worthy Brewing Taps Chris Hodge as Head Beertopian
Worthy Beer Blast for Nov. 8, 2012
Bend, Or. Worthy Brewing Company of Bend, Oregon announced today that it has hired craft beer maven Chris Hodge as its Chief Beer Executive.
"Chris Hodge has spent the last 28 years living, breathing, marketing and selling craft beer," said Chad Kennedy, Worthy's Head Brewmaster. "With Chris in the wheelhouse, Worthy can ramp up production, stimulate demand and close sales from the git go. He knows how to build a brand and generate sales." Hodge will be leaving Columbia Distributing of Portland, Oregon, where he has worked for the past 18 years and most recently the last 5 years as the Director of Specialty brands. Prior to his career at Columbia, Chris spent 10 years as the Vice President of Admiralty Beverage, the original pioneer in the world Craft Beer wholesalers.
"I consider myself one of the most fortunate people in the beer business," said Hodge. "I have had the honor and pleasure of working with dozens of the world's best known and highest quality breweries. I love everything about this culture we've created. The passion, joy and creativity in this business make it hard to have a 'bad day.'"
"As much as I've enjoyed shepherding some of the most successful brands in the business, I've always wanted to run a brewery myself," he continued. "I'm thankful for the support and friendships I've forged over the years at Columbia, but can't wait to get started launching the Worthy brand."
Worthy Brewing Company, located on the East Side of Bend, will consist of a 30 bbl production facility and 3.5 bbl pilot brewery, a restaurant, beer garden, hop garden, greenhouse and herb garden. Worthy will be kegging, bottling and canning its flagship beers, which will include a Kolsch, Wit, India Pale Ale, Imperial IPA, Stout and hybrid Pale/ESB.
In addition to Kennedy, Hodge will be joining a Worthy cast that includes Mike Harrison, Master Chef, David Zinn, Top Creationist, and George Stapish, Head Number Cruncher.
"Opening day will be big and fun," promised Kennedy. "We've billed our campus as a 'beertopia.' So don't expect anything orthodox. At the same time, we're not going to rush it. We won't open until everything's positively worthy."
For more information, please contact Chad Kennedy at chad@worthybrewing.com and visit Worthy's website at www.worthybrewing.com. WBC will be holding a job fair in Bend on December 18 and 19 and expects to hire 35 employees.
Worthy Rising
Kettle to the metal
Mr. Kennedy: Fill up this silo!
Worthy's Wood fired Womb
Beertopia: Gateway to The Badlands
Life is short, brutish and thirsty. Drink Worthy Beer.
