Now 15 years along as a company, Revolution Brewing has seen significant growth and strategic refinement under not just the leadership of founder Josh Deth, but Doug Veliky as well. Initially joining as Chief Financial Officer nine years ago, Veliky has since transitioned into the role of Chief Strategy Officer, overseeing finance, marketing, and the long-term direction of the brewery. But beyond his corporate leadership, Veliky also wields influence in the beer world through his personal Instagram account, @beeraficionado, where he shares insights on craft beer trends, branding, and industry economics.
Before stepping into the craft beer world, Veliky had an extensive background in corporate finance and auditing. His career path included a role in internal audit at Reyes Holdings, a major player in beverage distribution, spanning Coca-Cola, McDonald’s supply chain, and beer distribution. His deep understanding of financial systems and logistics positioned him well to navigate the challenges of a growing craft brewery like Revolution.
Deth told Brewer recently during a cover story interview how Veliky’s passion and business acumen made him a natural fit for the brewery.
“He was doing @beeraficionado before we even hired him, and that was one of the reasons he got hired. He knows the industry inside and out,” Deth said. “Doug’s got a great understanding of the economics of craft beer, and he’s learned so much about branding and marketing along the way.”
While Veliky’s work at Revolution is deeply embedded in strategic planning, his Instagram persona has provided another avenue for industry discussion. With detailed breakdowns of craft beer market trends, pricing strategies, and branding case studies, his content offers an educational resource for both consumers and professionals alike.
Deth acknowledges the unique dual role Veliky plays.
“He keeps it separate — it’s his personal thing — but it’s clear the influence it has. He’s engaging with people in a way that not everyone in the industry does,” Deth said. “When we have a barrel-aged beer release, all the beer nerds come over to talk with him about something they saw in his posts.”
Despite their collaborative efforts at Revolution, Deth points out that even he doesn’t always agree with everything Veliky shares online.
“But that’s the beauty of having a strong team,” Deth said. “Doug, (Brewmaster) Jim (Cibak), and I bounce ideas off each other constantly.
“He comes up with a lot of brand ideas, and we work together to build them out.”
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Veliky’s role at Revolution continues to evolve as he integrates new tools and approaches to decision-making. Whether it’s using AI tools like ChatGPT to explore concepts or engaging in collaborative platforms like Google Spaces, he’s constantly seeking innovative ways to refine strategies.
“Doug’s a great person to have around to make sure we’ve talked everything through,” Deth said. “You need people who bring different perspectives, and he’s one of those advisors who helps us see things from multiple angles.”
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