Back in March, we brought in some heavy hitters in the Minnesota healthcare industry for an exciting panel. On November 5th, we’re shifting gears to another fast growing and popular Minnesota industry: craft brewing. We all know Minnesotans like to partake in a beer or two, and the Twin Cities is fast becoming a top region for craft beer, cider, and liquor. We’re bringing local brewers, taproom owners, and marketers together to talk about the best and worst parts of being in the MN beer community. Before you head over to Spyder Trap to partake in great drinks and conversation, let’s meet our amazing panel!

Jim Watkins, Sociable Cider Werks

Jim Watkins is a former Wall Street trader and current Managing Director of Sociable Cider Werks, a hard cider brewery in Northeast Minneapolis.  He and his business partner Wade sparked their friendship as undergrads at Carleton College in Northfield, MN before sharing a small apartment in New York City and then eventually starting Sociable Cider in a garage on Madison St. in NE Minneapolis.

 Sam Harriman, Sisyphus Brewing

If you had asked me 10 years ago what I would be doing right now, brewing beer wouldn’t have even been on my radar. I didn’t know beer, I didn’t even like beer. But as I started homebrewing almost 6 years ago, I fell in love with the process that combined so many of my interests and talents. I was pre-med in my undergraduate career and had a love of science, especially microbiology, knowledge of which helps make good beer. When I completed my MBA at Hamline 3 years ago, I decided to take the plunge into owning my own business and doing something I loved. The name of our brewery also allows me to put to use one of my less useful college degrees: philosophy. Our plan for the future of Sisyphus Brewing is to have our identity be known as both a taproom and a comedy club, something we are in the process of working on presently.

Peter Heidorn, LynLake Brewery

Peter spends his days as a Digital Producer for BestBuy.com and nights as the Marketing Guy for LynLake Brewery.  Digital and social are his specialties, and he also enjoys chasing down new business, finding new ways to collaborate, and blowing up big ideas. His marketing approach is based on strategic, smarter marketing that encourages engagement and loyalty.

Peter lives in Edina with his wife Bridget and dog Barkley.