Neil Kopplin was born in Rural South Dakota. He attended a boarding high school in the sticks of North Dakota and attended college in agricultural Walla Walla, Washington. Seeking adventure and new experiences, Neil sold his cow (literally) and moved to big city, Los Angeles. In 1999, he discovered this wonderful place called Portland where he met his wife Sarah.

Neil has been in the restaurant business since age 14, working in 19 different restaurants in positions from dishwasher to front of the house manager. Neil has worked in some of Portland’s most prestigious bars, such as Beaker and Flask, Bluehour, Carlyle, and Clyde Common. He reigned as President of the Oregon Bartenders Guild from 2009-2010, an organization he helped found.

Neil ‘s been named one of Beverage Media’s “Top 10 Mixologists to Watch”and named one of “Portland’s New Mixoligists” by the Oregonian. In addition, his cocktails have been featured in numerous local and national publications. Neil founded Control State Solutions to grow quality spirits brands within the OLCC.