Jacksonville has always been a city with a strong identity: hardworking, proud, community-minded, and full of local character. DUVAL Beer Co. was built around that same spirit.
On Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 11:30 AM, Mike Knehans, Managing Partner of DUVAL Beer Co., is scheduled to appear on The Horse’s Mouth: Be Teal. The conversation highlights a Jacksonville-focused beverage company with a simple but meaningful mission: create a hometown lager that reflects the city’s hardworking spirit and sense of community.
For anyone interested in Jacksonville beer, local entrepreneurship, leadership lessons, or the connection between sports and business, DUVAL Beer Co. offers a story rooted in discipline, teamwork, and pride in place.
About DUVAL Beer Co.
DUVAL Beer Co. is a Jacksonville-focused beverage company with a long-term vision of building iconic regional beverage brands that celebrate Northeast Florida.
At the center of the brand is Jackson Gold, a crisp American lager brewed for Jacksonville. The company’s focus is clear: create a beer that feels connected to the city, its people, and its sense of community.
In a crowded beverage landscape, that kind of local identity matters. Consumers often look for brands that feel authentic, recognizable, and connected to the places they call home. DUVAL Beer Co. is leaning into that idea by building around Jacksonville first.
A Hometown Lager Built Around Community
Jackson Gold is described as a crisp American lager brewed for Jacksonville. While many beverage brands try to appeal to everyone everywhere, DUVAL Beer Co. is focused on a more grounded idea: serving as a hometown brand for Northeast Florida.
That focus gives the company clear direction. A regional beverage brand is not just about what is in the can or glass. It is also about what the brand represents: local pride, shared experiences, and a connection to community.
Why Local Identity Matters
Strong local brands often grow by becoming part of everyday life. They show up at gatherings, conversations, events, and hometown moments. For a Jacksonville beer brand, that means reflecting the city’s values and personality.
DUVAL Beer Co.’s description points to three important brand pillars:
- Jacksonville focus: The company is built around the city and Northeast Florida.
- Community spirit: The brand reflects connection and shared pride.
- Long-term vision: DUVAL Beer Co. aims to build iconic regional beverage brands over time.
Leadership Lessons from Mike Knehans
Mike Knehans brings a leadership mindset shaped by competition, discipline, and sports lessons. When asked how he defines success, his answer is direct and practical: success is about how you finish, whether you have done everything you can to affect the outcome, and being able to move forward with no regrets.
That definition is useful for business owners, athletes, professionals, and anyone working toward a meaningful goal. It shifts success away from only results and toward preparation, effort, accountability, and resilience.
Shorten Your Memory on Mistakes
One of Mike’s strategies for improving performance is to continue building the discipline to shorten his memory of mistakes. His approach is simple: evaluate, fix, and move ahead.
That is a powerful lesson in business. Mistakes happen in every industry. The difference often comes down to how quickly a leader or team can learn from them without getting stuck. The ability to assess what went wrong, make the right adjustment, and keep moving is essential for long-term growth.
Do Hard Things
Mike also points to lessons learned from playing small college football and pursuing professional tryouts. One of the clearest takeaways is straightforward: do hard things.
In business, that can mean staying disciplined when progress is slow, making difficult decisions, competing in a tough marketplace, or committing to a long-term vision before the results are obvious. For DUVAL Beer Co., building a Jacksonville-focused beverage brand requires that same level of persistence.
What Sports Can Teach Business Leaders
Sports and business often share the same core principles: preparation, resilience, competition, teamwork, and execution. Mike’s reflections on college football offer a practical look at how those lessons carry over into leadership and entrepreneurship.
He described a successful college team environment where individual players competed hard during the week, then came together on Saturdays as brothers with a shared goal. That balance between internal competition and team unity is a valuable model for any organization.
Compete, Then Unite
Healthy competition can make individuals better. It pushes people to prepare, sharpen their skills, and bring their best effort. But once it is time to perform as a team, unity becomes essential.
For business leaders, the lesson is clear: create a culture where people are challenged to improve, but also aligned around a common mission. For DUVAL Beer Co., that mission centers on building a beverage brand that reflects Jacksonville and celebrates Northeast Florida.
You Never Stay the Same
Mike shared a lesson from his college coach: you never stay the same. You are either getting better or getting worse.
That mindset applies directly to growing a business. Brands must keep learning, adapting, and improving. Even when the mission stays consistent, building something meaningful takes constant effort.
Practical Takeaways for Entrepreneurs and Local Brands
The DUVAL Beer Co. story offers several useful takeaways for entrepreneurs, brand builders, and professionals looking to strengthen their own path.
- Start with a clear identity: DUVAL Beer Co. is rooted in Jacksonville, giving the brand a strong foundation.
- Build around community: A meaningful local brand should reflect the people and place it serves.
- Measure success by effort and execution: Focus on doing everything possible to affect the outcome.
- Learn quickly from mistakes: Evaluate, fix, and move ahead instead of dwelling on setbacks.
- Stay committed to improvement: You are never standing still; you are either getting better or getting worse.
The Horse’s Mouth: Be Teal
The Horse’s Mouth, hosted by Steve Strum, brings conversations with local leaders, entrepreneurs, and community voices to the forefront. The Be Teal edition provides a platform for stories that connect business, leadership, and community impact.
Mike Knehans’ appearance will offer an opportunity to learn more about DUVAL Beer Co., the thinking behind Jackson Gold, and the leadership principles that guide the company’s direction.
Conclusion: A Jacksonville Brand with a Clear Point of View
DUVAL Beer Co. is more than a beverage company entering the market. It is a Jacksonville-focused brand built around community, local pride, and a long-term vision for Northeast Florida.
With Jackson Gold as its flagship beer, DUVAL Beer Co. is creating a hometown lager that reflects the city’s hardworking spirit. Mike Knehans’ leadership perspective adds another layer to the story: success comes from effort, resilience, discipline, and a commitment to getting better.
To learn more about DUVAL Beer Co. and Jackson Gold, visit https://duvalbeer.com. To follow The Horse’s Mouth, visit https://horsesmouthtv.com.
