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October 27-28, 2023
Southern Foodways Symposium ⟶
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October 27-28, 2023
Southern Foodways Symposium ⟶

Oral Histories

The SFA oral history program documents life stories from the American South. Collecting these stories, we honor the people whose labor defines the region. If you would like to contribute to SFA’s oral history collections, please send your ideas for oral history along with your CV or Resume and a portfolio of prior oral history work to info@southernfoodways.org.

< Back to Oral History project: Tapping Into Richmond Beer

ORAL HISTORY

Brian Kinzie

James River Homebrewers

Brian Kinzie is an active member of the James River Homebrewers (JRHB). A native of Richmond, VA, Brian works as a Human Resources Consultant and homebrews during his free time. Brian grew up as an only child in the city to parents who did not drink beer. However, Brian discovered that he liked craft beer in college after trying Pete’s Wicked Ale. He also started homebrewing in college and sourced ingredients from a specialty baking shop in Portsmouth, VA. Even after going into human resources, Brian continued homebrewing periodically and sampling beers in his off time. He connected with other folks interested in craft beer on ratebeer.com, which is also how he discovered the JRHB. Brian became very active with the JRHB including organizing the Dominion Cup homebrew competition, acting as vice president, and serving as president of the club during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Date of interview:
2023-03-15

Interviewer:
Sarah I. Rodriguez

Photographer:
Parker Michels-Boyce

Download Transcript

“

“It’s wild. The James River Homebrewers has been around for forty years now this year, which is a really long time for a homebrew club. We’re one of the oldest in the country. The Dominion Cup has been going for thirty years now. This is both anniversaries this year. It’s been really cool to have seen homebrewing evolve…” - Brian Kinzie

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The Southern Foodways Alliance drives a more progressive future by leading conversations that challenge existing constructs, shape perspectives, and foster meaningful discussions. We reconsider the past with research, scrutiny, and documentation.

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