Person to Watch: Good Beer Hunting’s Michael Kiser

Beer enthusiasts around the country know Michael Kiser as the razor-sharp wit and creative force behind GoodBeerHunting.com—a beer-centric website offering “a critical, creative and curious voice in the world of beer.” What most don’t realize is the man behind the narratives is also an experienced strategic consultant who’s influencing beer culture in more ways than meet the eye. After working as a writer and designer for four years, followed by six years as an innovation strategist for brands like Nike, Adobe, Samsung and HP, Kiser channeled his skills into launching Good Beer Hunting in 2010.

What many considered one of the best beer blogs in the country quickly evolved into a full-fledged storytelling platform with a host of international contributors, podcast, retail branch, events outlet and brand- consulting practice, where Kiser works on brand and portfolio strategy for breweries ranging from upstarts like Central State in Indianapolis and Stony Creek Brewery in Branford, Connecticut to beer behemoths including Goose Island and Pacifico. The consulting work uniquely informs the editorial arm of the business, offering an inside-looking-out perspective.

“We see ourselves as having a direct impact and dedication to the beer industry overall, and [the stories we tell] are about what we can see from where we are standing,” he says. “We’re clearly affected by the dynamics happening around us, and that’s how we tell stories with perspectives we otherwise wouldn’t be able to tell. We are exploring the edges of what storytelling in beer can be.”