Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Torres.
Hi Juan , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
We began as a home- and nano-brewing project in Venezuela about 13–14 years ago, where we were born and raised. We started in the basement of my family’s house—my dad even built out the space so we could brew and hang out. At first, the beers were just for us, family, and friends. Little by little, it evolved into a business under our first brand, Casa Coronarias, and we started selling to restaurants and liquor shops.
Midway through that journey, we submitted one of our IPAs to Copa Cervezas de América in Chile and won a Bronze Medal. That recognition sharpened our focus. Daniel proposed taking a bigger leap: building a brewery in Miami. That’s how Tripping Animals Brewing began. We signed our lease in Doral in 2016, spent two years on buildout and permits, and opened our doors on November 16, 2018. This year marks our seventh anniversary.
We’re here because of our passion for the craft, our consistency in making great beer, and our commitment to creating memorable experiences—through our beers, our taprooms, and the events we host. We’ve also been fortunate to receive incredible support from brands around the world, and those relationships have been essential to our growth. At the core of everything we do are family, teamwork, discipline, and consistency.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any business, we’ve faced our share of obstacles—and they’ve ultimately made us stronger.
– Early financing: Securing bank support at the beginning was challenging, but we found creative ways to fund and phase the project.
– The pandemic: It completely upended our plans. We adapted quickly—pivoting operations and adjusting our model—and emerged in a stronger position.
– Market shifts: Unexpected changes in consumer preferences and distribution required us to realign our strategy and operations.
These challenges are part of the journey. We’re grateful for them because they pushed us to be more resilient, agile, and focused on long-term success.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m the COO and Production Manager at Tripping Animals Brewing in Doral, FL.
I started as a homebrewer, making small batches and letting creativity lead the way—much like being a chef, but with beer. I loved crafting recipes from the ground up: selecting grains, hops, and yeast; dialing in water chemistry; milling properly; sourcing the freshest ingredients; and watching every batch closely from brew day to pour.
The best part has always been the payoff—seeing customers, family, and friends enjoy what we make. Turning something I love into my career has been incredible.
I’m proud of our team and how far we’ve come—from a basement setup to a world-recognized brewery—through tireless work and a constant drive to improve. Even as we celebrate milestones, we stay hungry for what’s next.
What sets our brand apart is our hospitality and the experience we create, the family atmosphere we share with our guests, and an unwavering commitment to quality and continuous improvement in every beer we brew.
Tripping Animals Brewing is family.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is getting to do what I love every day—being part of an amazing company and brewery. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a small hobby grow into a successful business that we pour our energy into daily.
I’m also happiest when I’m active. Playing sports might be simple, but having the time and energy to stay active adds a lot to my life.
Most of all, I value time with family and friends. Sharing moments with them is what truly fulfills me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.trippinganimals.com
- Instagram: @trippingnanimalsbrewing
- LinkedIn: Tripping Animals Brewing Co.
Image Credits
@ByKanvas
Javier Perez
