Meet Andrew Kalemba | Operating Partner and Head Brewer

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

Hi Andrew, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I grew up in Northwest Indiana, very close to Chicago. Went to Indiana University Bloomington and received a degree in Policy Analysis. Shortly after graduation I relocated to Austin, TX. Seemed like a good starting point with some new opportunities not really having a plan. After a little while started working in consulting, specifically Sales Process and Customer Relationship Management. While living in Austin, I started to experiment with brewing and other hobbys and I became obsessed with it. But being an open, creative collaborative city, I discovered how to define personal sucess and go after something (in a calculated fashion). Then I also used much of my experience in the consulting world to build business plans and set out on opening our business

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I said a little about this in my first response from a timeline. The hardest part in is transitioning from a corporate environment and entering the brewing industry. There are very different approaches to day to operations. But, there are also lots of similariaties. I do often have to step back tell myself im in a different envirment. The most important thing that I have learned and try to tell myself is that there is something to be learned from all experiences and that is regardless of the industry or context. Our brand is based around who we are as people. Just a group friends and family making a projduct that they enjoy and enjoy seeing other enjoy it. I really moved this route because I get to interact with the whole company and our customers on a much more personal level

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, I would take them to High and Dry. Most of our friends don’t make it to New Mexico all that often. I think most fo the exciting stuff that we have going on in the state are our breweries. Top on my list to take to people to are Palmer and Gravity Bound in the city and if we are up for a little ride to Ex Novo. For food, if you plan everything out right you can get a mix from the food trucks who frequent the breweries. Notably, check out Tikka Spice. Obviously, the these are the places were I find the like minded people, so it where I frequent. If we have time, we would head up to Santa Fe and stop at Rowley and second street breweries and a bite while at either,

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to my family who supports me in my adventures and encouraged me to try new things and just deal with me on a regular basis and all of the staff and friends who make our place successful on a daily basis

Website: http://highanddrybrewing.com/

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Yelp: High and Dry Brewing

Image Credits
Tyler Malone