There is a term being thrown around ‘micro-influencer’. What exactly does it mean and how can companies big and small capitalize in the ever-growing social media growth spurt. Find out that and more in our interview with Alexandria aka Instagram’s @littlehopflower.
Alexandria, could you introduce yourself and briefly describe your Instagram account — what’s your focus and the reason you started it?
AG: Hello, my name is Alexandria Krista-Lynn Gray! I’m a Capricorn, I love Hip Hop, the color black and a damn good glass of beer! I express my love and passion for craft beer through my Instagram page. I started it so I could document my journey and share the wonderful things I get to do in this industry with all of you! With a little humor thrown in, my page allows you to see the silly beer nerd that I really am.
We’d love to hear about how your passion for beer came about. What is it about this industry that draws you in?
AG: I got into the industry as soon as I was legally able to drink. I was freshly 21 and had gotten a job at an ABC Fine Wine and Spirits liquor store. At first, I was interested in spirits and mixology. I was good at it but it wasn’t keeping my interest. I then started studying wine and quickly found out that it was not my cup of tea. Finally, I made it to craft beer and things just sky-rocketed from there. I was a beer consultant for almost two years and felt I needed to work more closely with beer. I moved from a World of Beer, to Total Wine, then finally a brewery! My first job in the brewing industry was at Swamp Head brewing in Gainesville, FL. There I learned all the hard stuff from CIPing (Cleaning in place) fermenters to running a canning line. Now I’m the assistant brewer at Bay Cannon Beer company and absolutely love what I do for a living.
We absolutely love your photos on Instagram. Do you have a tip for other Grammers when it comes to photography for their gram or their blogs?
AG: The photos I take are so random! Most of the time I’m working stuff just randomly pops into my head. I find a place to set my phone, turn on a timer, and hope for the best. You could always ask your head brewer to take your photo but then you have to deal with silly looks and comments. My advice is just be smart with your angles and what you are taking a photo of.
What were you like growing up?
AG: Growing up I was a huge nerd who thought she wanted to be a cop. Up until eleventh grade I was a home-body gamer. I started at a high school my junior year that offered law classes, so I took advantage. Going on ride along, Volunteering with teen court, and other things like that had my full interest. It wasn’t until when I was in college, I realized that was not my calling. Shortly after I got a Job with ABC.
How do you think the beers industry will changes over the next decade?
AG: The craft beer industry is so amazingly wild. There are just so many things you can do to help keep it alive. From an amazing recipe to fantastic marketing the possibilities are endless. Within a decade I expect things to just get better and crazier. I mean heck, there’s carrot beer out there!
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?
AG: What keep the industry going is most certainly the breweries who are willing to take risks and cross insane lines. For example, Angry Chair Brewing. When you brew beers that legitimately taste like gourmet desserts you draw in several interested souls. Fun and interesting beer ideas and concepts keep the people wanting more.
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?
AG: Growing and getting recognition for your brand isn’t easy but it’s not hard either. Putting personality, humor, and art into your advertising catches one’s eye. Talk about your product, talk about the people that help move and/or make the product. Keep everything interesting, fun, and colorful. Grab attention!
What has been your most memorable beer experience thus far? What made it so special?
AG: My most memorable beer experience would have to be when I paid a visit to Richmond, Virginia. I have been to a lot of great breweries, but Richmond took the cake. Having a Triple Crossing New England IPA fresh from the tap was such an amazing feeling. The dimly lit tap room, the music, the staff! Everything was great and I want nothing more than to return!
On a personal note, what are some of the most important things in your life?
AG: The most important thing in my life is my career and excelling at it. I absolutely love spending my free time volunteering at other breweries and picking other brewers’ brains for knowledge. It’s an ongoing journey for me and I could not be happier with it!
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
AG: Getting accustomed to this lifestyle wasn’t an easy journey. I was told multiple times to give up and try something else. I refused to do so because I knew darn well this is what I was meant to do with my life! Never ever let anyone tell you that you are not cut out to do something! Cheers!
