Welcome to our conversation series where we speak with different individuals involved in the Pennsylvania craft beer industry. For suggestions on who should be featured, email us at info@breweriesinpa.com.

Dennis Guy is the owner of First Sip Brew Box, a monthly subscription box company headquartered in Pittsburgh, that features brewery merchandise and other craft beer related products. This unique approach helps you experience craft beer in a different way. Dennis has worked with countless local breweries and local small businesses to curate these boxes for fans. Read on to see how Dennis started working in the beer industry, how First Sip Brew Box came about, and more!

Describe your role in the PA craft beer industry.

I am CEO and owner of First Sip Brew Box a craft beer subscription box that does not send beer instead we show you how to experience craft beer differently. Alongside with my wife Sammie we focus on sharing the story of small breweries across the United States in our Brew Box. We see ourselves as a platform that connects craft breweries to small businesses and delivering an incredibly unique experience to craft beer enthusiasts around the world.

How did you get involved in First Sip Brew Box?

We started as home brewers and just fell in love with craft beer and what it represented. Beer has been a crucial part of human history and we wanted to be a part of it! We initially wanted to start a brewery but the financial barrier to entry was huge so we pivoted to sending out curated Brew Boxes capturing the spirit of craft beer our to craft beer connoisseurs and beginners alike.

How did your passion for craft beer come about?

By visiting local breweries and seeing the happiness of both owners and patrons embracing the industry together and creating a social house where the community could become more connected.

How do you think PA is a unique craft beer state versus other states?

PA beer is unique due to the richness of history in beer and coupled by the fact of having two powerhouse cities in craft beer Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

When is the last time you went to a brewery outside of PA? What stood out to you about that experience?

We traveled to Boston MA this past November and had a great time visiting and meeting with over 14 craft breweries. The biggest difference I noticed is how incredibly close breweries are in PA they would literally give the shirt off their back for each other. Boston breweries seemed very friendly towards each other but not to the level of camaraderie I see here in PA.

Do you have a favorite beer or beers to drink right now?

So many! And honestly it is getting harder and harder to choose the more breweries that we feature and work with. The first that comes to mind is Abjuration’s White Chocolate Peppermint Milkshake Ale is straight fire, Inner Groove Brewing Superman Skivvies is delicious, and Couch Brewery showed up strong with their StarDust Hard Seltzers Series both the Orion Black Raspberry and Pisces Black Cherry.

Where do you see the beer industry heading with content/social media/events?

I see the craft beer industry realizing the importance of having a consistent presence across 6 plus social media platforms. The shift needs and will change from a sales focus to building a brand, especially as the marketplace continues to get more saturated at the brewery level. Time and time again I see breweries choose not to have a strong presence on social media due to perceived lack of time and resources or being content with just one or two platforms and in the long run that will hurt their brand and ability to continue growing.

Tell us why you do what you do? What inspires you to keep going?

A couple things first off, my family I want to continue to create a meaningful and fulfilling life for them where we can do the things we enjoy and have everlasting happiness. Secondly it is the people in the craft beer industry I truly love giving and helping them on their journey and creating those lifelong friendships.

Who are your biggest influences that keep you producing content?

Without a doubt Gary Vaynerchuk he grew up in the struggle just like I did, and grew his business from the ground up, just like we are doing at First Sip Brew Box.

Give us your top 3 social media pages that you turn to regularly for inspiration.

Honestly I much rather listen to podcasts that way I can increase efficiency and get more hustle and grind done. 1. Gary Vee Podcast, 2. The Tony Robbins Podcast, and 3. TED Talks Daily.

Thanks to Dennis Guy for talking with us! You can find First Sip Brew Box on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.