Cheers & Chat: How Taylor AKA @mylovelyladyhops Works for Her Beer
Here at Work For Your Beer, we love getting to know the active beer-lovers that help make up our community — which is why we started our "Cheers & Chat" blog series.
With each post in this series, you'll get to know some of the people behind the craft beer Instagram accounts we love to follow.
In this post, we chatted with @mylovelyladyhops — aka Taylor Shapard of Frisco, Texas.
Work For Your Beer: When (and how) did your craft beer journey begin?
Taylor Shapard: My beer journey began in 2017 when I started dating my [now] husband. He was a brewer at the time and started introducing me to many different styles of beer. He was the one who convinced me to start my IG account, but I didn’t listen to him until I met @jenniferthebeerdedlady and was inspired.
WFYB: Do you remember what the first beer you ever enjoyed was? The one that really got you into craft beer?
TS:Casey Brewing and Blending - Funky Blender with Cherries which is a fruited farmhouse ale.
WFYB: What would you say your go-to beer style is? And what’s one beer in that style that you’d recommend to someone new to the craft beer scene?
TS: It’s the sours for me!
WFYB: On the flip side, is there a beer style that you avoid or just can't really get into?
TS: I’m not really a fan of brut IPAs, but I haven’t found one in a while.
WFYB: What is your favorite brewery in your area?
TS: I really love Community Beer Co. and Manhattan Project in Dallas.
WFYB: What would you say is the coolest brewery that you ever visited?
TS: New Belgium! They have the best tour, amazing beer, and a great community.
WFYB: We love New Belgium! (Riding the slide on the tour is the best!). What would you say is the ONE brewery (or beer) on your bucket list?
TS:Cantillon in Brussels
WFYB: If someone asked you to do a beer share today, what would be the beers you’d put in your mixed pack to share with them?
DM: I think I would definitely need to bring a smattering of my go-to favs!
Berliner Weisse from Mikkeller
Bourbon Barrel Aged Temptress Stout from Lakewood Brewing Company
Shiner Bock My first beer (plus it’s made in Texas) from Shiner
WFYB: What a diverse six-pack! We will definitely be putting those on our Untappd wish list for sure! Stepping away from beer for a moment. What is your preferred way to work for your beer?
TS: Hiking, paddle boarding, and dancing
WFYB: Since you’ve been a part of the craft beer community, how have you seen it change (for better or for worse)?
TS: It’s been a hard year for craft breweries and I don’t see it getting any easier any time soon. Therefore everyone hops on to whatever the new trend is. It’s always interesting to watch the trends from palate crushing IPAs to wild fermentation to seltzers.
WFYB: Finally, what advice would you give to someone considering getting involved in the craft beer community?
TS: This community is so welcoming and nurturing, but you need to truly love it because it’s not a get-rich-quick industry. Brewing and creating content for each beer is an art form.
Thank you to Taylor for taking the time to share her story with us here on the Work For Your Beer blog — and cheers to even more opportunities to chat with incredible members of the craft beer community!
Want to be considered for an upcoming feature? Email cheers@workforyourbeer.com to set up an interview!