A veteran of more than 35 years in the brewing industry, Hanney began his career in the beer industry as a four-state Local Governmental Affairs representative with the United States Brewers Association in the late 1970’s. He later joined the California Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association as Vice President before leaving to start his successful beer industry consulting business in 1994. His consulting firm represents and advises over 125 brewers, importers, wholesalers and retailers for regulatory trade practice compliance issues, and does extensive ABC licensing work for companies in the alcoholic beverage industry.