Joel Vandenbrink

Philanthropist and Craft Brewery and Cidery Leader

Joel Vandenbrink holds a bachelor’s in manufacturing engineering from Grand Valley State University and a master’s of divinity from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. He began his career as a manufacturing engineer for Johnson Controls Interiors in Michigan and later took on roles such as sweets baker at Great Harvest Bread Company and lead painter with Jon Dewaal Painting in Seattle. Most recently, Joel Vandenbrink served as the CEO and founder of Seattle Cider Company (the first cidery in the city since Prohibition) and Two Beers Brewing Company.

While leading his brewery and cidery, Mr. Vandenbrink maintained a commitment to philanthropy. An avid outdoorsman, he worked with several local nonprofits, including the Washington National Park Fund and Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, to give back to the community. His passion for hiking and backpacking also fueled his idea to partner with Wild Goose Canning to package Two Beers products in an easy-to-transport can design.

Further, Joel Vandenbrink partnered his breweries with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. He remains an active board member with the organization’s Northwest Chapter, as he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease prior to establishing Seattle Cider Company.

Seattle, WA, US