Josh Landan

4 months ago · 3 minute read

Serial Brewing Entrepreneur – Founder @ Great Frontier Holdings 

Website 

https://www.greatfrontierholdings.com/

Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshlandan_/  

Josh Landan is a true entrepreneur at heart, and he’s always ready to embrace new challenges and create something exceptional.  In 2018, more than three years after selling his acclaimed San Diego craft brewery, Saint Archer, to MillerCoors, Josh reignited his passion for brewing with his venture, Harland Brewing Co.

Josh co-founded Saint Archer in 2013, and the brewery quickly gained a reputation for its innovative brews and strong community presence. The idea to create a beer brand came during a trip to Puerto Rico with friends on the pro surf tour. A tequila brand approached his friends for an endorsement, but Josh felt the beer was a better fit, as athletes and everyday people more commonly consumed it. The name “Saint Archer Brewing Company” was inspired by Josh’s desire to name his son Archer, with “Saint” added to give it a distinctive ring.

Growing up as an only child with working parents, Josh spent much time alone to boost his independence and resourcefulness. This environment contributed significantly to his entrepreneurial mindset. However, after the sale to MillerCoors, Josh found himself missing the independent spirit and the hands-on approach of running a craft brewery. “I really missed seeing my beer on draft, drinking it with our brewers, and connecting with people at beer festivals,” he once recalled. The entrepreneurial drive that fueled Saint Archer was something he longed to recapture.

In early 2017, Josh stepped away from Saint Archer to focus on Villager Goods, a non-alcoholic food and beverage company he co-launched with former Saint Archer VP, Jeff Hansson. But his love for craft beer brought him back to the industry. Teaming up with Hansson and ex-market manager Anthony Levas, Josh launched Harland Brewing Co., along with Scout Distribution and Claxton Cellars under Ocotillo Holdings LLC. With nearly $3.9 million raised from investors, Josh was once again at the forefront of the brewing world.

Reflecting on his journey, Josh shares his experiences on The Full Pint Podcast, discussing everything from the inception of Saint Archer to the emotional aftermath of its sale and his triumphant return to the craft beer scene with Harland Brewing. He also shared that the primary issue post-acquisition was aligning Saint Archer with MillerCoors’ distributor network. MillerCoors’ distributors were not as focused on bars and restaurants, which were crucial to Saint Archer’s success. This misalignment significantly hurt the business.

Josh Landan’s story is one of resilience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to the craft. His entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive him forward, building brands he loves with friends he trusts, and always on his own terms.

Projects

Josh is currently involved in multiple projects under Great Frontier Holdings. 

1. Ashland Hard Seltzer 
2. Ninkasi Brewing  
3. Ecliptic Brewing
4. VIllager Spirits
5. Voyage Hard Iced Tea 
6. Wings & Grow
7. Mucho Aloha

Achievements 

• Josh founded Saint Archer Brewing Company, a rapidly growing craft beer brand in California.
• He successfully sold Saint Archer Brewing to a major beverage company, MillerCoors. 
• Launched Ashland Hard Seltzer which shows his ongoing innovation and adaptability in the beverage market.
• Created Villager Goods to expand business portfolio beyond alcoholic beverages.
• Demonstrated expertise in branding and marketing through hands-on management of social media, particularly on Instagram.