DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:

Behind the Twitter Avatar Series

Are you curious about the men and women “hiding” behind Twitter avatar of the world’s most beloved craft breweries? Well, you are not alone. The Wench has gone behind the scenes to reveal and introduce you to the individuals who possess the ever coveted social media positions in the craft beer industry.

Behind the Twitter Avatar: @greatdividebrew

 Hanna Laney

Brewery: Great Divide Brewing
Location: Denver, Colorado
Personal Twitter Handle: @bananalaney

What is your “official” position with Great Divide?

Officially, I’m the Marketing Coordinator, but I’ve also been referred to as the Word Nerd, which I quite like.

What is your favorite beer from Great Divide?

It’s so hard to pick just one! If I had to narrow it down, I’d say Fresh Hop Pale Ale—with all those Simcoes, Centennials and Cascades, what’s not to love? Plus, our brewers work their buns off to brew it and for that I am eternally grateful.

What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

To be honest, I think almost any beer and food pairing (even ones that don’t exactly match) can work with the right company. It’s 90% about the experience, 10% about what’s actually being consumed. While I do believe in beer’s pedigree on par with wine when it comes to food, I had a pale ale and corndog with my family at Disneyland recently and, by god, that was a pretty darn tasty pairing.

If you were a style of beer, what would you be and why?

If I were a style of beer, I’d be an American Pale Ale. Not because of my penchant for waving the ol’ stars and stripes in the shadow of a soaring bald eagle (which would be supremely awesome) but because I love the fact that it’s pretty reliable. What you see (or, in this case taste, is what you get). It may not be the loudest, craziest beer in the bar, but it’s a workhorse.

And last but not least, what does craft beer mean to you?

To me, “craft beer” is more an appraisal of process than product. In my mind, “craft” connotes a thoughtful, creative, vocational process of brewing that focuses on quality ingredients, masterful technique and a certain, perhaps inexplicable, emotional connection to the matter at hand. Not every craft beer is a good beer, but the process from which it’s born sets it apart. I think non-craft breweries can make craft beers and so-called craft breweries can make non-craft beers.

SPECIAL THANKS TO HANNA FOR BEING SO AWESOME AT RUNNING GREAT DIVIDE’S TWITTER HANDLE!