Meet Garrett Youngblood | Craft Beer Blogger/Influencer/Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Garrett Youngblood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Garrett, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I started The Beer Enthusiast, Instagram was in infancy stage. We’re talking 2012. I was a year and change removed from college, just getting my career started and very wide eyed in terms of what the future held for me professionally. Back to Instagram, at that time in 2012 I didn’t have any sort of handle created, but I felt the time had come to dive into the Instagram waters. To be frank, I thought doing a personal page at the time was pretty idiotic since I was already on Facebook, so I wanted to make it about something I loved and was passionate about. That part was easy – my love and passion for craft beer. After attending Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO, aka craft beer heaven, I was eager to expand my beer brain and utilize my marketing mind through social media. I credit a ton of my love for craft beer to New Belgium Brewing, where I’d frequent during my college days. I actually turned down a Marketing gig right out of school to pursue a career in my home town of Dallas, so it’s safe to say I wanted to somehow keep my marketing/craft beer dreams alive. So, in my cubicle one December day in 2012, I created @the_beer_enthusiast. The rest as they say, is history.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Little do people know, unfortunately I have another career that keeps me busy from 8a-5p and keeps food on the table. I’m in Healthcare and currently head recruitment for the largest inpatient telemedicine group in the country. It’s fascinating work and indeed challenging, but I’m blessed to be surrounded with likeminded individuals who also support all my endeavors, to include The Beer Enthusiast. My mindset on The Beer Enthusiast is truly a “ride the wave” mentality. I’m riding this wave, having a blast, and not taking it too seriously. If I took it too seriously, the fun would disappear and I’d fall off the surfboard immediately. And I attribute the brands success to that mentality 100%.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As it pertains to beer and throw bars/hangouts, here’s what I’d recommend if someone travels to Dallas or DFW.

Breweries: Community Beer Co., Deep Ellum Brewery, Manhattan Project Beer Co, Peticolas Brewing, Lakewood Brewing, Oak Highlands Brewery, Rollertown Brewery, Shannon Brewing, 3 Nations Brewing, Braindead Brewing, Four Corners Brewery, Legal Draft Beer Co…. So yes, there’s A LOT of great beer here in Big D!

Great hang outs: Lakewood Growler, Bluffview Growler, On Rotation, Lakewood Landing, The Rustic, The Peak Inn, Truck Yard, Milo’s Butterfinger, Adair’s Saloon… I’m a big fan of the dive bar, so if you’re as well, check out everything on this list!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I couldn’t be more thankful for my wife Ashley for her love and support. Yes, she was a little skeptical at first, but as the brand began to grow she quickly became my biggest cheerleader and still is to this day. I’d also like to give a shout out to my pup, Lola, who is definitely the face of the brand. She’s the epitome of mans best friend and there’s no better dog out there who can balance beer on her head while wearing glasses.

Website: Www.Tbenthusiast.shop

Instagram: @the_beer_enthusiast