WORKING WITH SOME OF CRAFT BEER'S GREATEST VISIONARIES

Good Beer Hunting is an independent voice in the world of craft. Separately, I partner with some of the industry's newest and most important players to help them build a brand, grow a business, and find their audiences through strategic brand initiatives. 

My background in photography, writing and design consulting has made it possible for me to help new breweries, craft beer bars and other craft-focused ventures succeed. Whether it's helping introduce the world to a new enterprise, concepting events and engagements, or documenting the unique rise of a new industry player, it all goes back to one thing — getting to the essence of what makes their vision unique. Below are just a few of the clients and projects I've collaborated with recently. 

See overview for photography services, content development and strategic consulting.

No content on this site is paid for, and no industry advertising is accepted. Please don't ask. 

ONE PHOTO CAN ANCHOR A BRAND — TURNING JOURNEYMAN DISTILLERY INTO A DESTINATION

A single image of Journeyman Distillery's amazing taproom, filled with the right people, energy and ambiance is helping the brand shift from a stop-over to a destination in its own right — even before the big unveiling of their new website. 

As a small start-up craft distillery in Michigan, Journeyman is quickly becoming a highlight of sophistication in the region's booming brewery and spirits culture. 

HELPING BUILD THE SOLEMN OATH BRAND AND AN EPIC VISUAL NARRATIVE FROM DAY ONE

From their first brew day, to their first tap room pour, the the launch of their long-awaited website, I embedded myself with the Solemn Oath crew for almost a year, helping tell their story and create a bold visual style that sets them apart from the competition. 

As storytellers in their own right, Solemn Oath understood the value of a history, no matter how recent, captured in compelling visuals that will enable to share their unique journey with the world for years to come. 

Go see the site >>

INTRODUCING DRYHOP BREWERS' VISION TO THE WORLD OF CRAFT BEER AND CUISINE

One of Chicago's most anticipated arrivals breaks ground. But while they work to create the perfect craft beer destination in Lakeview, they were already collaborating with local brewers and hitting the festival circuit with great brews. There was no time like the present to show people what DryHop was all about.

Rather than market something that wasn't there yet, we took the authenticity route and told the story of DryHop's development from the point of view of the brewer, the chef, and the craft geek proprietor. We outlined photo shoots, made beer, cooked food and invited the neighbors over for the backyard BBQ of their lives. 

The documentation of the events and the stories and copy I wrote for the site serve to introduce the world to the "neighborhood front porch" ethos of this righteous crew. 

Go see the site >>

CAPTURING THE RETURN OF CHICAGO'S PRODIGAL SON, GREG HALL OF VIRTUE CIDER

After leaving Goose Island for the fresh fields of Virtue Farms in Fennville, Michigan, Greg Hall and company return to Chicago's Hopleaf Bar for the launch of The Mitten. 

With an industry-only invite list, it was important to the Virtue Farms story to capture this special occasion with great visual storytelling and help set the tone for the new brand as it launches it's first farmhouse ciders into the Chicago market. 

FATPOUR TAP WERKS, HELPING VISUALLY DEFINE  CHICAGO'S NEWEST CRAFT BEER BAR

World HQ. a small design firm in Chicago that creates incredible branding, interiors and environmental design, sought me out when it came time to dial in the look and feel of the two-story bar on one of Chicago's busiest street corners in Wicker Park. Choosing from hundred of photographs, they settled on an image set that would help express their point of view on craft beer. They framed photographs for the walls, designed posters and created a thick menu board that brought together the unique aesthetics of Good Beer Hunting and FatPour's brand. 

LAUNCHING VANDERMILL'S CHAPMAN'S BLEND DURING THE CHICAGO CIDER SUMMIT AT BANGERS & LACE

Every year, Paul Vander Heide brings his Chapman's Blend cider to Chicago to great acclaim. But this was no ordinary year. Not only did he have an exceptional blend, but it launched in the middle of the Chicago Cider Summit, a national trade show that centered the entire cider-making world in one place. Paul held court with industry luminaries at Bangers & Lace for some serious discussion, passionate debate, and Midwestern hospitality. 

THE SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION IN CRAFT BEER

One good deed deserves another. And there's no industry more collaborative than craft beer. I've hatched projects with brewers, bloggers, business owners and publishers to keep the scene humming along and telling amazing stories about craft beer's unparalleled culture.  And it doesn't stop there — the idea of "craft" extends in so many wonderful directions. If you've got an idea that makes sense for a craft audience, there's a good chance it makes sense for Good Beer Hunting. Here's a few of my recent collaborations. 

CITY PROVISIONS
Documenting the #1 voted farm dinner series in the state with Cleetus Friedman of City Provisions, Templeton Rye and Metropolitan Brewing. See more >>

S.E. KISER HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENT
Bringing my great great uncle S.E. Kiser's 100-year-old anti-prohibition speech back to life alongside actor Max Wastler, photographer Joshua Longbrake, and a host of willing friends, at Mash Tun Fest. See more >>

MASH TUN JOURNAL
Photography, articles and event documentation for Chicago's first craft beer magazine, Mash Tun, by Maria's Packaged Goods.

MICHIGAN BEER FILM WITH RHINO MEDIA
Helping the guys from Rhino Media in Kalamazoo tell the story of craft beer for their documentary Michigan Beer Film. 

CHICAGOIST + PAUL SCHNEIDER
A series of shoots for The Chicagoist for author Paul Schneider's craft beer series, including locations at Goose Island, Spiteful and Rock Bottom Chicago.

EVELYN'S PICKLES
Contextual photography for Evelyn's, a small pickling  business in Michigan and Chicago devoted to accompanying the perfect bloody mary.

VESSEL IDEATION
Location scouting and photography for Vessel Ideation's custom beer bottle designs.

BREWERY VIVANT
Documentation of Brewery Vivant's first farm dinner, and a collaboration with New Belgium on the eve of their launch in the Michigan market. See more >>

HOMEBREWING CLASSES AT SOLEMN OATH
Solemn Oath's brewer, Paul Schneider is full of knowledge and charm. And now he has no problem selling out classes.