“I am a sinner!” shouted the crowd in unison yesterday evening on the Terrace of La Gran Terraza as Stone Brewing Co. CEO and Co-Founder Greg Koch asked who in the crowd was a sinner. He talked about how we all ‘sin’ when we consume water from plastic bottles, eat processed fast food, and drink yellow fizzy imported commodity beers. Greg Koch spoke to a mix of about 150 students, alumni, faculty, and others yesterday in an event co-sponsored by the USD Entrepreneurship Club, Graduate Business Student Association, and the MBA Career Services department.
The title of Greg’s presentation was ‘The World According to Stone’ and it appears that the world according to Stone is a world that needs to change. Change is needed in form of increased commitment to the environment and to more sustainable business practices. Stone is committed to helping bring about this change and one example he gave was how the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido is the largest restaurant purchaser of local, small-farm organic produce in San Diego County. (read more about Stone’s philosophy on food)
Of course beer and business practices were also discussed during his presentation (it was mostly business in attendance after all!). Greg talked about Stone’s possible expansion to Europe (watch the video about their expansion). He also mentioned how Twitter and Social Media has changed how the small craft brewer markets themselves. During the question and answer session he discussed how Stone has never once paid for traditional forms of advertising (print, billboards, and commercials).
After the presentation, Greg led a beer and tapas pairing event for 40 people in La Gran Terraza restaurant. The Stone beers’ broad range of flavors and aromas made them a perfect match for the exquisitely prepared dishes. Just look at these amazing pairings:
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA with a grilled mahi taco with tropical fruit salsa Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale with a caramelized pork belly with andoulle-white bean cassoulet Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine with Shrimp Two Ways Stone Imperial Russian Stout with Bacon Ice Cream and Beer “Float”
All in all it was a fun, educational, tasty, and inspiring evening! We hope Greg can come back to campus again soon!
About Stone Stone Brewing Co. is the fastest growing brewery in the US and is now the 18th largest brewery (by volume) in the US. It is also the “#1 Rated Brewery on Planet Earth” according to Beeradvocate.com. You can follow Stone and Greg Koch on Twitter and visit their website at www.stonebrewing.com.
Follow the E-Club on Twitter too!
Here are a few pictures from the evening:
Derek Humbard, Graduate President of the USD E-Club, welcomes everyone to La Gran Terraza
E-Club Faculty Advisor, Dr. Helder Sebastiao addresses the crowd prior to Greg coming on.
Greg started off with a bullhorn!
Greg Koch inspiring the crowd
Smiles all around!
Greg Koch leads the beer & tapas pairing event at La Gran Terraza
Written by Drew Hall
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