Ben Farber is the co-founder of Benny Boy Brewing, LA’s first brewery and cidery. “We produce onsite with a focus on Old World brewing and fermentation methods: only whole-flower hops, no filtering and natural carbonation.” Learn about Ben Farber…
Hometown: I grew up on a dairy farm just outside of Fort Collins, CO.
First job: I started working when I was 8 years old, helping my dad deliver milk for the dairy farm.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in CA: Free time? I remember those days! My wife Chelsey and I love camping, snowboarding and motorcycle rides up the coast.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Opening Benny Boy. Chelsey and I put seven years of planning into it, with multiple trips to Europe to learn Old World methods on beer and cider, including an apprenticeship in Belgium at Brouwerij de Ranke. We don’t come from money – we spent three years fundraising for this project. Combine that with starting this project in the middle of a pandemic, and it was the most difficult thing we’ve ever done. We feel very lucky to be where we are now.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Imposter syndrome. It’s a real thing. Why should potential investors listen to us? We’ve never done anything like this before. These thoughts can be paralyzing, but we’re very driven individuals. We just kept going, ignoring the doubts and believing in our actual abilities.
Someone who inspires you and why: George Washington Carver – inventor, scientist. Born into slavery and beset by countless roadblocks to education, he overcame and became a prominent scientist, with huge contributions to agricultural development. What a champion.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: If you don’t have a passion for great beer and/or cider, do something else. Don’t think you want to do this, know you want to do this. Passion is the only thing that will get you to the finish line. For the love of beer and cider!
Favorite quote: The harder you work, the luckier you get.
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I never went to high school or college. In some cases, real-world experience can be more valuable than what you learn from a college textbook. Self-education can be a viable path for entrepreneurs.
What makes someone fabulous: Being genuine and kind. Everything else is a bonus.
Photo credit: Marcus Henderson