Hopkinsville Brewing Co. founder and co-owner Kate Russell is the winner of the 8th annual Brewer Experienceship program from Boston Beer Co., the craft brewer best known for its signature brand Samuel Adams.
“I’m super-excited about it,” Russell told Hoptown Chronicle. “We’ve already had some amazing mentoring experiences with people throughout the company. I think it’s an awesome opportunity for HBC.”
Boston Beer Co. announced Russell’s selection as part of a Mother’s Day initiative through Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, a philanthropic program.
“Each year, the Brewer Experienceship program selects one craft brewer to experience the Boston Brewery and learn the art of brewing and business discipline alongside the Samuel Adams team,” the company said in a news release. “The Experienceship includes extended mentoring, a trip to the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery to learn from brewing and business experts, including Jim Koch, financial support to attend industry events, and the opportunity to brew a collaboration beer with Samuel Adams.”
Russell, a U.S. Army veteran and mother of two children, opened Hopkinsville Brewing on Fifth Street in 2016.
“She later expanded her brewery, opening just three weeks before the COVID-19 lockdowns in the United States. Russell’s story of resilience and dedication resonates with many moms across the country who have been hit by the repercussions of the pandemic,” the Boston Beer release states.
Russell co-owns Hopkinsville Brewing with Joey Medeiros.
Russell speaks about being selected for the program during a Fox News broadcast
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.
