Business

Sometimes you just have to know when to pivot. After opening OC’s only boardwalk-based brewery, Danny Robinson noticed his customers were seeking lighter alcohol drinks. Leveraging the equipment used to make Backshore’s beer, he and his brew master experimented with flavors and styles to create Hoop Tea, a refreshing beverage made with all-natural ingredients. With a $250,000 VLT loan in hand, Danny hired staff and secured facilities to scale production and distribution of his growing beverage line. Now brewed in dozens of flavors available in 3-liter party pouches displayed on eye catching surfboard racks and 12-ounce cans, Hoop Tea is available at thousands of retailers and restaurants up and down the East Coast.