I have spent many wonderful days and nights within the three national parks within Washington state, and I can say without a doubt they are where I feel the most alive.

Joel VandenBrink grew up in rural Michigan and moved out to Washington state in 2003. Joel received his B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering from Grand Valley State University and then went on to obtain a Masters of Divinity from Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. Joel founded Two Beers Brewing Co. in 2007 and Seattle Cider Co. in 2013. Under his command, Seattle Cider Co. grew to be the fifth-largest craft cidery in the country. Joel sold both Two Beers Brewing Co. and Seattle Cider Co. in 2016 and stayed on as CEO until 2019. Joel’s next endeavor is Empire Can Handling Co. which he started in 2021.

While not working Joel spends as much time outdoors as possible, whether it be traveling the country with his family in their Airstream Trailer or solo hiking some of the most beautiful trails in the PNW.