The Beer Brewer (at Half Acre Beer Co)

08/24/20 • 57 min

Whether or not you're a fan of craft beer (and if you weren't a fan before 2020, honestly...what else will it take?), we can all acknowledge that the growth of the craft beer industry was unquestionably one of the defining food and beverage trends of the 2010s. The number of craft breweries in the US skyrocketed from around 1,500 to north of 8,000, and - in the process - Americans learned that beers could come in different colors beside "dehydrated urine yellow." We learned that bars could be built around things besides sports games and local cover bands. We learned not only how to pronounce gose, but also what they taste like. (Editor's Note: they're disgusting.)
Our guest on the podcast this week was there for all of it. After starting as the weekend bartender in Half Acre Beer Company's taproom, Lee McComb did just about every job in the brewery before eventually becoming the Specialty Beer Manager overseeing Half Acre's program of award winning small batch and limited release beers. (They have nearly 250 different rated beers on Beer Advocate!)
From a simple hobby to a decade-long career, Lee has been able to translate his interest in home-brewing into not only a profession but a true craft. Lee shares a few of the things that make Half Acre so special as a brewery, the impact #COVID has had on their business, and how he balances good beer vs. good business. Give it a listen while #daydrinking at your desk this week. And then go out and buy a six-pack from your favorite local brewery! Let's all get through this mess together.

Previous Episode

The Google.org Philanthropist (featuring Nick Cain)

This week we talk to one of our dreamiest dream jobbers yet! It only took us 20ish episodes, but we’re finally talking to a real, live #googler.

Not just any Googler - not the designer of the famous nap pods (yes, those are a thing); nor is it the lead chef designing Google’s Michelin-worthy cuisine (yes, three meals a day on campus were a thing, pre-COVID); nor are we even talking with the gal or guy who brought you Google Plus (remember when ‘Circles’ were a thing? Neither do we).

We’ve got you one better - today we’re elevating the conversation with Nick Cain, a leader in Google.org, Google’s philanthropy arm aiming to ‘bring the best of Google to help solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges — combining funding, innovation, and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunity for everyone.” They work with nonprofits, social entrepeneurs, and civic organizations across topics ranging from economic empowerment to equitable access to learning.

Our conversation touches on what a career in philanthropy looks like day-to-day, and how that’s different and special in the Google context. We discuss Nick’s path to Google.org, including stints with multiple cause-driven organizations. And we discuss some of the benefits and tradeoffs of philanthropy under the umbrella of a large tech company.
That's right, we said the dreamiest of dream jobs :-) we weren't lying...
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Philanthropy.com podcast on Google.org

Next Episode

The Career Strategist & Freelancer

Ever considered leaving the corporate life behind for a life of freelance? Us neither...
That is, until our conversation this week! It turns out freelance can be *much more* than the, transactional life of upwork, fiverr, guru, taskrabbit, hourly nerd, mechanical turk, or any other of the multitudes of ‘marketplaces’ for labor out there. Who knew?

Rachel Cross is who. Rachel worked for 12 years in corporate marketing jobs before stepping out into solopreneurship. She gave herself 6 months of runway to launch a firm and land her first client. The Rachel K Group, has thrived since – with Rachel at the helm as the ‘Chief Business Sherpa’ (we think that means CEO), specializing in launching brands, developing world-class marketing communications, and helping creative professionals start the solopreneur business they’ve always dreamed of.

Join us as Kent and Onnie talk through the challenge of small talk during COVID, propose a ‘corporate America Bingo’ card, and then get flat-out inspired by their conversation with Rachel.

#backtowork
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