At Joyhound, Craft Beer is a Science and Science is an Art.

 

Joyhound Beer Co. (JBC) is a premium craft beer company born out of the Rotimi family’s desire to produce incredibly flavorful and balanced beer that’s zesty and tasty. 

JBC’s Founder and President, Alfred Rotimi, began homebrewing in 2013 and this hobby soon grew to become his greatest passion in life. Some years later, after completing a neuroscience fellowship at Tufts University, Alfred realized that the life of a research scientist wasn’t for him. After deciding to pursue his newly-founded dream of entrepreneurship, and with encouragement from his twin brother Julius, Alfred pitched the idea of starting a beer company to his family. They fully supported his concepts and were immediately on board to help cultivate and finance this venture. So, with the support and commitment of his family plus his ever-growing passion for brewing, Alfred founded Joyhound Beer Company in 2017. 

We’re sure you’re wondering, “Why Joyhound?”

We chose the name Joyhound because brewing and being his own boss brings Alfred such joy + we are a family of dog lovers! (Just check out our doggos, Bailey and Stella, on the label of our Tailwagger beer!) Our beers are produced in Baltimore, MD. We hold 65+ accounts including every Trader Joe’s in DC and Total Wine & More locations in Maryland plus many local, independently owned shops. 

We are a family of scientists, so, we lean into our science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) backgrounds to create products that illustrate the beauty and utility of STEAM. Hence our tagline, “Craft Beer for Nerds, by Nerds” - trust us, it’s cool to be a nerd! See “The Team” section below to find out more about our STEAM backgrounds!

 

The Team

 

Alfred Rotimi

Founder & President

While studying the Anatomy and Physiology of Psychology at UMBC, JBC’s Founder and President, Alfred Rotimi, was introduced to brewing beer. He quickly grew to love the wonderfully sophisticated endeavor of brewing as it combines biochemistry with art and culinary skill… Did we mention that Alfred is also a wonderful cook?! While completing his neuroscience fellowship at Tufts University, Alfred realized that being a laboratory scientist didn’t spark the same joy as crafting and brewing his own unique beer recipes.

"At that point, my brewing hobby had grown extensively and I wanted to be my own boss. So, I founded Joyhound Beer Company to bring amazing beers to market. I hope that our customers will taste and appreciate the commitment and passion I put into every beer recipe!" - Alfred R.

Alfred singlehandedly designs JBC’s recipes markets JBC’s new and ongoing products, AND self-distributes our beer within Maryland and DC. 

 

Jamie Rotimi

Co-Owner

  • B.S. Forensic Science, Minor: Chemistry

  • M.S. Forensic Science (Concentration in Molecular Biology/Genetics)

  • Prior research areas/topics include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transcription factors, Investigating the Inhibitive Properties of Timberland© Boots on DNA Amplification Processes, DNA analysis, site-directed mutagenesis, etc.

  • Expert-level program and project management skills, policy and procedural creation, staff management, team building, marketing, creation and implementation of operational plans in support of organizational goals, expert in identifying gaps and strengthening the associated processes, etc.

  • When not engaged in JBC business, works in research compliance.

  • An avid traveler and local explorer, love painting, crafts involving clay, and singing.

  • Fun facts: I was a competitive swimmer until I moved to the East Coast, I studied opera in high school and college, and bananas are my kryptonite.

  • Can't live without trips to the ocean (or any beautiful body of water really)

  • Dog mom to Bailey aka "Boops"

 

Julius Rotimi

Co-Owner

  • B.S. Computer Science 

  • Occupation: Full Stack Software Engineer

  • Escape room enthusiast

  • Custom PC builder

  • Vinyl record collector

  • 3D printer operator in spare time

  • Favorite Beer: Plum Power Sour!

  • Fun Fact: Alfred is my twin brother!

 

Charles Rotimi

Co-Owner

  • BS degree in Biochemistry, 

  • MS in Health Care Administration, 

  • MPH in Epidemiology, 

  • PhD in Epidemiology, 

  • Professional training in genetics/genomics, statistics, and global health inequalities, and

  • Avid long-distance biker and swimmer.

“As a father, when Alfred left his neuroscience program at Tufts University in Boston to establish his own business, I was more than terrified. Through hard work and an unwavering dedication to establishing a micro brewing facility, he has convinced me that, if given the right support, he can make his dream a success story for himself, his family, and now for investors like you. Please help support this young man to realize his dream, and ours, of establishing one of the few African ancestry owned microbreweries in the United States.” - Charles R.

 

Deatrice Rotimi

Co-Owner

  • BBA in Computer Information Systems

  • MEd in Curriculum and Instruction,

  • PhD in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity, 

  • Works as a Subject Matter Expert in Cybersecurity and Privacy,

  • Fun fact: I have never been a sophomore! I finished both high school and college in 3 years. Thankful to have missed those "sophomoric" moments, ha!

  • I feed my artistic soul by crafting,

  • I make all of JBC's merchandise by hand - including everything from etched glasses, tee shirts, polo shirts hats, and coasters to koozies and there's more to come!

  • I encourage all of my children to be open to new opportunities and to put no limits on their creativity.

 

Bailey Barbara Rotimi

BOSS #1

  • Subject matter expert in that pittie life aka sleeping in odd positions, giving pitiful looks for treats and belly rubs, and cuddling

  • Has beautiful hazel eyes and reverse brindle coat

  • If you want to be her best friend, rub lotion on her belly or give her a soft pillow to sleep on!

  • She runs like a wild cheetah… when she’s not too busy slumbering the day away

  • Has mastered many tricks, but you have to make it worth her while to see them

  • Distrusts anything inanimate - things that don’t move are soooo dangerous!

  • Loves mud puddles of all sizes

 

Stella Bailey Rotimi

BOSS #2

  • Subject matter expert in “pest control”... aka guests

  • Her favorite song to dance to is “Still Dre”

  • Don’t make the mistake of looking into her chocolate-brown eyes because she’ll get you to do anything

  • Has a traditional brindle coat

  • She loves to herd… you to bed after spending hours outside

  • Her preferred bedtime is 8:30 pm. But don’t forget to turn on her nighttime tunes, turn off the lights, and set up her sleep puppy or you will get the infamous “Stella” side-eye

  • We never have to worry about her starving because she hides her treats in various nooks and crannies throughout her house.