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 [email protected].

Nate Kresge is the founder and co-ower of GK Visual, the boutique cinema production house behind “Poured In PA”, the award winning documentary exploring Pennsylvania’s craft beer industry. Breweries In PA has had the pleasure of working with Nate on the upcoming Poured In PA web series he is currently shooting. Read on to see how Nate started GK Visual, how his passion for craft beer came about, his favorite beers to drink now and more!

Describe your role in the PA craft beer industry.

Our team went from just being fans of PA craft beer to become full-on advocates. Our client work has always taken us all over Pennsylvania. After our video shoots, we would seek out the closest brewery. We loved discovering new spots and fell in love with the stories behind this growing industry.

Our first project focusing on beer was, Brewed in the Burg, a documentary on Harrisburg’s craft beer community. From there, we set our sights on telling Pennsylvania’s beer story. We spent a few years planning, collecting interviews, and editing our award-winning film, Poured in Pennsylvania.

Now that the film is on Amazon Prime people all over the world can see what a great beer state Pennsylvania really is.

We are in the process of developing Poured as an ongoing series that will also be released on Amazon Prime. It will allow us to continue to tell the great stories behind this incredible industry in Pennsylvania.

How did you get involved in GK Visual/Poured In PA?

I started GK Visual in 2005. We produce a variety of video projects. In addition to these documentaries, our team regularly creates commercials, web videos, and promotional pieces for a wide array of industries.

How did your passion for craft beer come about?

My first craft brewery experience was at Appalachian Brewing Company in Harrisburg. I’d often join co-workers there for a few beers and skeeball. I was blown away by these beers that had so much flavor and that were made in my own backyard. As I traveled I would always seek out local beer. I loved discovering these beers and talking to the folks who made them.

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

Pennsylvania certainly has the history of brewing woven into its story. As we quickly approach 400 breweries in the state we’ve also become one of the leaders in both production and innovation.

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

I was recently in Louisville and visited a few of my favorite breweries like Against the Grain, Goodwood, and Gravely. One thing I always love about visiting breweries when I travel is how comfortable they are. As you walk through the doors of a brewery you know you share a common interest with everyone there…craft beer!

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

We’re in my favorite time of year for beer. I can’t get enough of those boozy barrel-aged stouts.

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

The beer industry needs to be more inviting and welcoming to more than the white, bearded male. I fit in this category but they’ve already reached me. Events like Fresh Fest are where we need to head.

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

I love the brotherhood and sisterhood of this industry. As a company, we work with many different types of companies. We’ve never seen an industry like the beer industry that works so hard to help out their competitors. That inspires us and we love to tell these stories.

Who are your biggest influences that keep you producing content?

Those working in this industry are our biggest influence. From the guys at Harris Family who will be opening the first black-owned brewery in the state to the many women who are brewing and operating breweries, there are so many inspirational individuals in this field.

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

I’m a big fan of Instagram. I try to follow all of the PA breweries. I love seeing how they use video and photos to tell their stories.

Thanks to Nate Kresge for talking with us! You can find GK Visual on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and Poured In PA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.