Ben McQueen

Ben McQueen’s journey with alcohol began at the age of 12, setting him on a path that would dominate his life through his early 20s. Despite countless attempts in traditional recovery programs, lasting sobriety seemed out of reach—until he discovered kava, the traditional South Pacific beverage known for its calming and grounding effects. For the first time, Ben found a tool that not only helped him break free from alcohol but also gave him a new sense of peace and purpose.

In 2019, driven by a passion to help others experience the same transformation, Ben began sharing kava at local farmers markets. His efforts quickly grew into something bigger: in 2022, he opened Karuna Kava Bar to create a welcoming, nonalcoholic community space where connection and recovery thrive.

Originally from Indiana, Ben now lives in Boise, Idaho, with his wife, Kayleigh, and their three children. Proudly alcohol-free, Ben is the CEO of Karuna Kava Bar and Karuna Kava Beverage Company, which brings kava to people across the U.S. through karunakava.com. He is dedicated to building a thriving community that offers friendship, healing, and hope—one bowl of kava at a time.