Brewing a Better Forest is a non-profit group of arborists and tree lovers who are passionate about trees and craft beer in the Twin Cities. The crew at Brewing a Better Forest strives to engage and encourage residents to notice, appreciate, and help water newly planted city trees.
We work with local craft brewers to help us spread the word of the importance of watering trees during their first few years on our boulevards. So Adopt-A-Tree today, and enjoy a brew on us!
We work with local craft brewers to help us spread the word of the importance of watering trees during their first few years on our boulevards. So Adopt-A-Tree today, and enjoy a brew on us!
Brewing a Better Forest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
The Brewing a Better Forest Team

Ben Johnson
Ben has been working in Urban Forestry since 1998 and has been a part of BBF from the beginning. When not out promoting BBF Ben is biking, running, and relaxing with an ice cold beer at a local taproom. Look carefully and you may see him hiding behind a tree in the northern forests of the Northwest Wisconsin.
Favorite Beer: Cold, local, and something new
Favorite Tree: Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa
Ben has been working in Urban Forestry since 1998 and has been a part of BBF from the beginning. When not out promoting BBF Ben is biking, running, and relaxing with an ice cold beer at a local taproom. Look carefully and you may see him hiding behind a tree in the northern forests of the Northwest Wisconsin.
Favorite Beer: Cold, local, and something new
Favorite Tree: Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa

Russell Kennedy
Russell is an urban forester for Rainbow Treecare. Roll Out The Barrel...he also plays saxophone in The Arborators Band, made up of arborists and tree enthusiast. Russell loves trees, camping, snowboarding, hockey, paddling, dogs, logs, kittens, saplings, friends, gardening, bugs, baking, music and more.
Favorite Beer: Dark Ale and Hazy IPA
Favorite Tree: Red Truffula Tree, Truffula russeus (Likely Extinct)
Russell is an urban forester for Rainbow Treecare. Roll Out The Barrel...he also plays saxophone in The Arborators Band, made up of arborists and tree enthusiast. Russell loves trees, camping, snowboarding, hockey, paddling, dogs, logs, kittens, saplings, friends, gardening, bugs, baking, music and more.
Favorite Beer: Dark Ale and Hazy IPA
Favorite Tree: Red Truffula Tree, Truffula russeus (Likely Extinct)

Philip Potyondy
Philip loves dressing snazzy, playing music with the Brass Messengers and the Arborators, and trees of course he loves trees. Philip works with Elmer the Elm Tree at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
Favorite Beer: Hoppy...make it fresh hops in a small batch
Favorite Tree: Eastern White Pine, Pinus strobus
Philip loves dressing snazzy, playing music with the Brass Messengers and the Arborators, and trees of course he loves trees. Philip works with Elmer the Elm Tree at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
Favorite Beer: Hoppy...make it fresh hops in a small batch
Favorite Tree: Eastern White Pine, Pinus strobus

Jonathan Osthus
Jon likes trees, Red Oak in particular. Jon works at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture coordinating Emerald Ash Borer biological control activities around the state. Besides hunting down invasive species and trying to recover tiny insects, Jon enjoys playing cribbage with a nice cold beer in hand.
Favorite Beer: Special Ale from Lake Superior Brewing
Favorite Tree: Red Oak, Quercus rubra
Jon likes trees, Red Oak in particular. Jon works at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture coordinating Emerald Ash Borer biological control activities around the state. Besides hunting down invasive species and trying to recover tiny insects, Jon enjoys playing cribbage with a nice cold beer in hand.
Favorite Beer: Special Ale from Lake Superior Brewing
Favorite Tree: Red Oak, Quercus rubra
Eric Lundstrom
Eric is a Consulting Arborist with Rainbow Treecare. He likes pina coladas and long walks on the beach. Oh wait, this is a beer group. Eric enjoys spending time with family and friends. He likes to explore local breweries and restaurants. Some hobbies include hiking, biking, woodworking, and grilling.
Favorite Beer: Anything tall, dark, and local Favorite Tree: Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa |