(Escondido, CA) – If you read here this week that Stone Brewing Co. Co-Founder and CEO, Greg Koch, would be taking a six-month ‘off-the-grid’ trip, like us, you probably had a bunch of questions.

Stone is coming off of what is the most active 12-18 month stretch in its 17-year history. The company opened a new brewery and restaurant, a farm, an airport dining venue, and added a 120-barrel brewhouse and packaging hall. Not to mention, the company has hired 185 people year-to-date.

..And then there’s the $24 million hotel and headquarters project that, last we heard, was slated to open next year has no official ETA at this point (per Stone).

..And Europe appears to still be a possibility per the company’s Project page.

..And Inc Magazine confirmed last month what we expected- that the company’s annual revenue eclipsed $100 million in 2012.

What better time to take a vacation?

Realistically though, the pace isn’t going to slow down in the future as the company continues to grow production by double-digits, explore new ventures, and enter new markets so perhaps now is as good a time as any to take a breather.

During all of the aforementioned projects and, more in general, over the past 17 years, Koch says that he has “had a hand in every aspect of the company” and that he intends to jump right back into things after his six-month trip.

Koch joked after our questioning that he was only taking a sabbatical and not “going out to pasture.”

Q&A:

1) Who will be acting as interim CEO during your trip?

No one will take on my role directly, Steve Wagner…my co-conspirator (aka President & Brewmaster) at Stone since the beginning…and our entire executive team will share duties and run everything as well as they always have.

2) What led you to take this trip now/February?

I’m a confessed workaholic. After 17 years of putting everything I have into this company I’m ready to take a break, break some bad habits (such as writing this response at midnight) and reboot my operating system so that I can come back with a fresh perspective. Frankly, I’m excited to come back with a new outlook on things.

3) What sort of things will you be doing on your trip and where will you be going?

I’ll be traveling mostly. I plan to start in Hana on Maui, and then on to New Zealand. As for the rest, we’ll just see where the world takes us!

4) Will the trip literally be ‘Off the grid’? Will people be able to contact you? Will you be working remotely at all? Or is this a true-to-definition ‘off the grid’ trip?

Yes, completely off the grid, in a no-working-at-all. I will not be available or checking email, my phone or any social media outlets.

5) Referencing the Voice of San Diego report, what ‘legal machinations’ are you going through in planning for Stone’s future?

It’s complex and we’re still working on it.

6) Are you taking steps to go the ESOP route as New Belgium & others have done? Would you consider that route?

Not ready to discuss our plans publicly.