PITTSBURGH, PA – In an effort to make a deep postseason run in this year’s disc golf
campaign, the crew at Rivertowne Brewing has pulled out all the stops and brought in a
man who many consider to be the sport’s most sought-after free agent. Rob Johnson, a
right-handed thrower known for laser accuracy off the tee, has officially signed on with
Rivertowne and will be bringing his talents to Western PA with aspirations of hoisting
disc golf’s most coveted trophy at season’s end.
“When Christian (Fyke, Rivertowne CEO) first approached me about coming out of retirement to join their disc golf team, I jumped at the opportunity,” Johnson proclaimed. “Rivertowne Brewing was the first Pennsylvania craft brewery to put their beer in cans and the advantage of a lighter weight beer package in my golf bag will allow me to shave a few strokes off my score. Your bag gets really heavy carrying all those bottles around and the possibility of injury to my throwing hand from opening bottles is simply too much to risk.”
In between dazzling spectators and players alike with this disc golf prowess, Johnson will also serve as Rivertowne’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing. His resume touts over 15 years of industry experience, having worked as a National Sales Manager at Blue Point Brewing Company and a Divisional Manager for Oskar Blues Brewery. Locally, Johnson spent time as a brewer at Church Brew Works and a sales representative for Galli Distributing, Rivertowne’s present Pittsburgh wholesaler, where he built a strong relationship with Fyke while servicing the Rivertowne Inn and other sister restaurants throughout Pittsburgh.
“Christian purchased the Rivertowne Inn in Verona in 2002, which was the same year I purchased a home in that area,” Johnson explained. “The focus on craft beer, well priced food made from scratch, and fellowship were the driving forces behind my attraction to his establishment. The Rivertowne Inn very quickly became my hometown watering hole of choice.”
No stranger to the scene despite working outside of Pittsburgh the past several years, Johnson has kept a watchful eye over the continued growth and expansion of the Rivertowne brand. They currently operate restaurants in Verona, North Huntingdon, and the North Shore, a brewpub in Monroeville, the Hall of Fame Club inside PNC Park, and Pittsburgh’s largest craft beer production and canning facility with a tasting room that hosts live music and events weekly in Export. 2017 marks the brand’s 10-year brewing anniversary and they’ve been celebrating by creating 100 new, unique beers for enthusiasts to enjoy. Through it all, they’ve stayed loyal to their founding philosophies: brewing good beer and giving people great venues in which to enjoy it.
“I found the brand and their core values and practices to be very attractive and worthy of attention,” Johnson stated. “When the opportunity to sit down and discuss the possibility of me joining the team presented itself, I made immediate plans to travel to Pittsburgh to have that conversation with Christian. Our ability to work through all the details further encouraged me to commit to helping make Christian’s ongoing vision for Rivertowne a reality.”
Johnson’s duties with Rivertowne have already begun and he’ll officially be in Pittsburgh this week. Rivertowne has yet to release his first golf appearance, but they are most likely to proceed full steam ahead now that his skills have been locked down. To stay close to Johnson’s commission, follow him on Twitter at @craftbeerguy. “I’m excited to join the team and look forward to helping shape the future of the largest craft brewery in Pittsburgh,” Johnson concluded.
Rivertowne Brewing brings over a decade of craft brewing tradition to the Pittsburgh region and has expanded their distribution footprint throughout the Eastern seaboard.
In 2002, CEO and Founder Christian Fyke sought to create an establishment where good friends could meet to enjoy good beer and that vision has grown to a full production brewing facility, restaurants, and a strong brand presence in Pittsburgh and beyond. They maintain their small brewery mindset and strive to deliver creative, quality craft beers and experiences at every juncture.