(Founder Kenny Gould – Courtesy Hop Culture)

On December 8,  Next Glass, a software development company, announced its ‘next’ acquisition, this time a Hop Culture, a digital magazine and event company located in Pittsburgh, PA.

In 2016 Next Glass purchased Untappd, a leading phone app that allows users to rate the beers they are consuming. In February 2020 the company furthered its holdings with the acquisition of “certain assets” of the BeerAdvocate forum and beer review platform, a website used by millions of beer enthusiasts around the world.

The company is now also home to Untappd for Business, which enables venues to streamline their beer, wine, cocktail, and food menus. And to Oznr which offers direct to consumer technology for the craft beverage industry.

And at a time when, thanks to COVID-19, much of the craft beer industry is treading water, Next Glass seems “full speed ahead.” And its purchase of Hop Culture introduces content production and more beer festivals into its mix.

Next Glass

“The Hop Culture team has built an engaging and important platform with voices and events that resonate within the industry,” said Trace Smith, CEO of Next Glass. “We’re excited and proud to welcome a brand and team with values and a vision that so closely mirror our own.”

Founded by journalist Kenny Gould, Hop Culture got its start promoting small, independent craft breweries via their Instagram and digital magazine. Over time, the company also grew a popular merchandise line and an event series as well.

“Hop Culture couldn’t be more excited about this partnership,” said Gould. “At Next Glass, Trace and his team have put together the largest network of beer drinkers in the world, and we look forward to working with them to continue producing compelling content and world-class events.”

In 2017, Hop Culture held its first Juicy Brews Craft Beer Festival in Pittsburgh, which sold out in under ten seconds.

The following year, Hop Culture held its first Beers With (out) Beards Festival, the world’s largest beer festival featuring only female brewers, business owners, vendors, and entrepreneurs.

To date, Hop Culture has thrown 30+ beer festivals and maintains one of the largest craft beer Instagram accounts in the world.

“Know that I’m not going anywhere. Neither is my team,” Gould added…

“Although they’re not regularly in the limelight, Hop Culture Managing Editor John A. Paradiso and Head of Partnerships Grace Weitz each played essential roles in Hop Culture’s growth and development, and we all plan to continue our work with the company in expanded roles”