#CBC17 Interviews: Beer politics with Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Todd Haymore

Virginia is both a beer maker sanctuary and a beer drinker destination. The commonwealth boasts nearly 200 breweries today (hey, maybe more by now, noting this stat that two new breweries are opening every day in America). It’s also attracted craft titans like Stone, Green Flash and Deschutes to set up East Coast breweries/local beer destinations throughout the state the last few years to basically make our initial statement bonafide. How? By being one of the most progressive states in America for pro-beer legislation, laws and culture.

We caught up with Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Todd Haymore, at the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America this week. Haymore and Governor Terry McAuliffe were shaking hands and drinking tiny taster beers at the Virginia Craft Beer Festy party, which is happening every day of the show in the back of the upper trade show floor. Haymore was kind enough to discuss the strong beer community rapidly growing in the Old Dominion, and how the state is thirsty for more (lots more). Thanks to Haymore for his time, and thanks to the Hartogs brothers (from upcoming Rocket Frog Brewing Co.) for keeping us up to date on everything Virginia beer.