If you’re looking for a lighthearted interview of someone who does not take themselves too seriously and has fun with being an Instagram micro influencer than look no further than @acraftbeergirl. Alena’s offers her followers a great sense of authenticity and engagement, but don’t just take my word for it. See her account and judge for yourself.
Alena, could you introduce yourself and briefly describe your Instagram account — what’s your focus and the reason you started it?
AB: I’m 21, I grew up in CT but spent my adult life in AZ so I say I’m from there. I currently live in Indianapolis with my two dogs. My IG is basically me having fun taking pictures with beer, slowly spending more and more on cameras and editing and spending a little too much time on this. I started it originally because I had stopped riding competitively and school started to die down, so I picked this beer up as a hobby and wanted a way to keep track of what I tried and share my journey with others, and also find inspiration for new beers to try.
We’d love to hear about how your passion for beer came about? What is it about this industry that draws you in?
AB: I actually used to be a wine nerd, but it became not only expensive but wasteful and not nearly as fun. Like when is the last time you had three full bottles of wine by yourself and remembered it? Or when is the last time you saw a wine flavoured after your favourite cereal? I love the creativity you get from the brewers, the seemingly infinite styles that evolve and develop with the breweries and industry as a whole.
We absolutely love your photos on Instagram. Do you have a tip for other influencers when it comes to photography for their gram or their blogs?
AB: Content is king, content is key. Consistently high-quality photos that say something with engaging captions, a call to action, are what will make for a good account. Learn to use all the features on your camera, watch editing and lighting and photography tutorials on youtube, and don’t be afraid to take 600 photos until you get the right one.
What were you like growing up?
AB: WERE? Geez I’m an actual grown up now I guess. I guess I am and always have been pretty socially awkward. I get along way better with the nerds and homebody. Your typical “horse girl”.
How do you think the beers industry will change over the next decade?
AB: To believe it will stay stagnant is pure ignorance, I haven’t even been in the scene long enough to exhale but I’ve seen new styles pop up and die.
The beer industry is highly saturated with amazing craft beers. What do you think is responsible for such a quick growth over the last few years?
AB: Demand. The same way we demand to have unprocessed food and gluten-free pizza is the same way we are demanding the craft beer industry for substitutes for the horse pee and hotdogwater cocktail that is “Big Beer”.
What advice would you give craft beer distilleries or beer distributors looking to use the Instagram social media platform to grow their brand’s image?
AB: Consistent good quality photos that have a clear focus and a call to action for engagement. Don’t have a passive account.
What has been your most memorable beer experience thus far? What made it so special?
AB: I think it would be my going away party at my old job, we all went to Wren House in Phoenix and sat in the poker room crammed in and drinking and laughing and being loud. Just a time where people who I rarely get together, let alone get together and laugh with, all bonded with each other over good beer. It was the first and last time I saw many of them out of work. I’m grateful for the memory.
On a personal note, what are some of the most important things in your life?
AB: My friends and family. I really have some amazing people by my side, no matter where I move to or how often I talk to them, I know they got my back and I have theirs.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
AB: I wish, I am not that interesting.
