Dave’s passion is making great beer. Quynh’s passion has always been to serve. Put them together and Save the World Brewing was born! And now, as if this pair didn’t have enough to deal with during the pandemic, someone has pushed their business to the brink.

On Labor Day weekend, the Rathkamps were just starting to feel things could turn around. Then they got the news: their Marble Falls business Save the World Brewing had been broken into, and their safe stolen. Our hearts go out to this hard working pair, who want nothing but to serve their customers. We wish them every good thing moving forward—and even more proud to tell their story.

Quynh and Dave met in school in New Orleans and later moved to Dallas where they worked in internal medicine and pediatrics for several years. Originally a wine drinker, Quynh became an avid beer lover when Dave started home brewing and turned her to like the “dark (malt) side” and became an avid beer lover. Since then she has thrown herself wholeheartedly into learning about and tasting all sorts of beers and, strangely enough, her favorites are the Belgian styles. 

When Dave shared his dream with Quynh of opening a microbrewery after their yearly mission trip and hearing a pastor talk more about pursuing your passions, she was enthusiastic about the idea and immediately jumped on board. Some may call this crazy, but they call it living life to the fullest.

We caught up with this beer-loving couple to discuss life together in the business world and the responsibilities that come with it.  

How did you meet?

Quynh: We met during an internship at Tulane Medical in New Orleans. Dave was doing a pediatric residency, and I was doing internal medicine and pediatrics.

When and why did you start your business?

Quynh: Dave had been homebrewing for about 15 years. In 2012, during one of his men’s bible study on The Purpose Driven Life, Dave shared that his passion was for brewing beer. Mine has always been for volunteerism and helping charities. After two days, we decided to open a charitable brewery, Save the World Brewing Co. Dave promptly retired from being a physician and started planning the brewery. We started construction in 2013 and started brewing in 2014.

What have you learned about each other?

Quynh: That Dave is the most diligent and hardest working man I know. He can do almost any task, and he is very business savvy.

Dave: I’ve learned what a rock Quynh is, not to mean she is stubborn, but stays grounded in the important things and doesn’t get discouraged.

How are you handling the current 24/7 togetherness? 

Quynh: For the most part, we have different roles and responsibilities that don’t overlap, but both of us will certainly pitch in to help where needed. That actually makes us appreciate one another more. We also try not to take work home, except for the beer.

What are your tips for making husband/wife business a success?

#1. Try to clearly delineate roles and responsibilities.
#2. Communicate clearly and about everything.
#3. Extend grace.

Would you go into business together again?

Both: Absolutely. Who could we trust more than each other?

Cover photo courtesy Dave and Quynh Rathkamp

Leean Vargas is an Editorial Assistant at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations.