The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/277771
sweet idea Green Bee Soda Has a Healthy Buzz Beekeeper makes honey pop. rom the tech boom in Manhattan to arti- sanal soda in Maine? "It's a direct and logical path," jokes Chris Kinkade '91, founder of Green Bee Soda, which makes soda favored with honey and natural in- gredients. After graduation, the electrical engineering major went to work in computer networking for a start-up tech company in New York. He earned an MBA from New York University and, when the tech company was sold, he went into investment banking. Seven years later, Kinkade says, "I had had enough." Living in downtown Boston, he and his wife, Lori, wanted better schools for their three young children and a lifestyle that didn't include commuting. Better yet, they already had a weekend home on Casco Bay in Maine. When they realized they were returning to Boston later and later every Sunday, says Kinkade, "we fnally decided to make the leap and start something up here." That "something" seemed fairly obvious. Kinkade had already been tinkering with home- made soda for his kids, using honey from his own hives. He was passionate about the decline of the bee population and just as passionate about giv- ing his children "something wholesome you could feel good about drinking." He notes, "My fne appreciation for fermented beverages started at WPI," where he used to brew beer for his brothers at Phi Sigma Kappa. Spring 2014 15 W π From the Kinkades' kitch- en, soda production spread to the garage and then, once they started selling in stores, to a commer- cial facility. In addition to Chris and Lori, Green Bee employs four part-time employees and an in- tern. The kids help out on the bottling line, stick- ing on labels. Green Bee's three favors, Lemon Sting, Ginger Buzz, and Blueberry Dream, are sold at Whole Foods and other stores throughout New England and in New York City. The buzz is spreading! — Laura Porter "My fne appreciation for fermented beverages started at WPI." WPI_spring14_FOB.indd 15 3/9/14 11:55 AM