Our story
Justin Terbeest is the founder and driving force behind Hop & Barrel Brewing, a dream that began to take shape in 2011 in Hudson, Wisconsin. Growing up on a dairy farm in a rural community, Justin learned the values of hard work and resilience early in life. He went on to study political science, religion, and history at Luther College, before embarking on a decade-long career as a lawyer, a profession in which he still holds a license.
It was this career that lead Justin to join Hudson Rotaract and be introduced to craft beer during an annual fundraiser for the organization. Justin's new passion for craft beer lead to homebrewing, a lot, like a lot a lot. This hobby grew as he became involved in brewing contests, even reaching the final rounds of the National Homebrew Contest in Boston and Minneapolis. The idea of starting a brewery took hold in his mind, and in late 2017, after years of planning and perfecting recipes, Hop & Barrel Brewing opened.
When he’s not at the brewery, Justin enjoys spending time with his family, snowshoeing, live music events, and soaking in the great outdoors. His favorite beer is Crooked Grin, his favorite flannel is any Dixxon, and if he were a beer, he’d be an IPA— bitter, snarky, and sharp, but a crowd pleaser at it’s core, just like him.
Meet the team
Justin Terbeest
Owner
What's your favorite Hop & Barrel beer? Crooked Grin
What's your favorite type of music? Country
What do you do with your life, besides work at a brewery? Family stuff, snowshoeing, live music, and do things outdoors.
What is your favorite Dixxon? Any green one.
If you were a beer, what style would you be and why? An IPA because I am bitter, snarky, and sharp.
What is your favorite seasoning? Ahhh.... what is seasoning?
Nathan Grosse
Brewer
What's your favorite Hop & Barrel beer? Spot of Tea or Zorro Rojo.
What's your favorite type of music? Mostly 60's, 70's, psychedelic rock, classic rock, indie folk, and soul.
What do you do with your life, besides work at a brewery? Gardening, collecting records and tapes, and wrangling cats.
What is your favorite Dixxon? Whatever one is your favorite
If you were a beer, what style would you be and why? Schwartzbeir - I'm easy going with lots of flavor.
What is your favorite seasoning? Smoked garlic salt
Rachel Kressin
Sales Rep
What's your favorite Hop & Barrel beer? Zorro Rojo, it's the perfect combination of malt and sweet.
What's your favorite type of music? Country.
What do you do with your life, besides work at a brewery? Raise 2 wonderful children. Anything to do with the outdoors.
What is your favorite Dixxon? My Uranium one.
If you were a beer, what style would you be and why? Any type of sour. I'm an aquired taste.
What is your favorite seasoning? Garlic salt
James Tschida
Taproom Manager
What's your favorite Hop & Barrel beer? 5th Triple , or Feed Me Sour.
What's your favorite type of music? Indie Rock
What do you do with your life, besides work at a brewery? I love to cook, walk the dogs, coz' with the wife, games, music, football and enjoy a good beer.
What is your favorite Dixxon? The one we're going to collaborate on someday... Hop On!
If you were a beer, what style would you be and why? A Session IPA/Pale Ale - an approachable bitterness, but still remarkably poundable.
What is your favorite seasoning? Autumn
Our goal
Here at our brewery, we try to keep our focus simple: We are a place where you can bring your close friends, poker group, or kids and feel comfortable. When you drink with us, you’ll know you are getting our best beer, 100% of the time—no excuses. We will always push our limits. Our passion is to brew something even better than we did the day before.