Keynote speaker Steve Hindy will kick off the 2012 Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego, Calif. Nearly 4,000 industry professionals will gather for four days May 2-5 at the Town and Country Resort.
In 1984, Hindy and his neighbor, Tom Potter, founded Brooklyn Brewery, seeking to rebuild the robust brewing culture that once existed in New York’s German immigrant communities. Hindy previously worked as an Associated Press correspondent in the Middle East, while Potter was a banker. Over the last three decades, Hindy built the brewery into a well-recognized brand, overcoming the challenges of distribution, a small brewing facility, skeptical retailers and, more recently, a major brewery expansion. He also authored Beer School with Potter, a memoir of their stories and lessons from 20 years of adventure with Brooklyn Brewery.
Beyond his role at Brooklyn Brewery, Hindy is active in his local community and the broader craft beer community. He serves on the Governor’s Economic Development Council and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Alliance, and founded the Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn. Within his industry, he serves on the Brewers Association (BA) board of directors and has testified before Congress to emphasize the importance of self-distribution laws. Hindy was awarded the 2010 F.X. Matt Defense of the Industry Award to recognize his efforts in government affairs.