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

Hi Luke, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Pursuing a creative career has felt like a natural expression of who I am. At the end of the day, I’m wired by curiosity and imagination. When I’m energized by wonder, I posses a different breed of ambition/drive. I can work relentlessly yet sustainably because work feels like an exploration, a constant discovery, like something I would want to be doing even if it involved no financial return. A creative career likely entails higher highs and lower lows. Yet, as a result, it makes me feel as though I’m living a more wholesome life – I am continually honoring what fascinates me, facing what frightens me, and growing in my capacity to receive life as it comes!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We knew we wanted to be a company that attempts to bridge the gap between great aspects of kombucha culture and beer culture – Our logo was actually designed to represent a bridge. Breweries instill a sense of abundance, celebration, and collaboration that is relatively lacking in the Kombucha industry. At the same time, Kombucha culture focuses on health, self-awareness, and balance; values which tend to be underemphasized in the beer industry. While Kombucha has helped us to experience deeper connection with ourselves, beer has given us greater appreciation of our interconnection!

In the hard kombucha space particularly (and the beverage space in general) we are unique in that we handle every aspect of our production in house. Like many humble brewery beginnings we started in a garage, then grew into a small warehouse, and now we have a 20,000sqft facility. It certainly has not been an easy journey but the most essential way we’ve been able to face the challenges of operating a small business is by assembling an incredible team of talented, driven, collaborative, and playful individuals. Along the way we have learned that a key skillset for operating a successful business is great listening – listening to customers, distributors, retailers and finding ways to respond to their feedback while staying true to our roots – being strategically adaptive and not fearfully reactive.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For food, I’d try to get a reservation at Locust. This likely wouldn’t pan out so I’d show them my go to spots in East Nashville: East Side Bahn Mi, Mas Tacos, and SS Gai! I’d take them to the Saturday 9am Hot Yoga Nashville class followed by the Richland Park Farmers Market right across the street. If we’re game for drinks – I’d want to showcase Urban Cowboy Public House, Rice Vice, and The Fox. Aside from that, I’d just spend as much time outside as possible: trail runs at Shelby Park and Beaman Park, hiking out at Virgin Falls or Stone Door. If theres enough time for a day on the lake – I’d rent a pontoon boat on Center Hill Lake.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to Bloomsbury Farm and Athenas Harvest Farm for supplying an amazing variety of locally grown fruits and veggies. Shoutout to Byron at Proper Saké for inspiring us with his delicious saké and cozy taproom Rice Vice! Shoutout to Maypop Sparkling Water for helping fuel the Nashville non-alc beverage scene alongside us! Shoutout to the entire Nashville Beer Scene for embracing us even though we’re the strange gang making kombucha!

Website: https://drinkwalkerbrothers.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkwalkerbrothers

Image Credits
Martin B. Cherry, Maria Banno

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutTennessee is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.