Hopkins, the MP for Keighley and Ilkley in West Yorkshire, praised two local businesses in his constituency – Timothy Taylor and Mary Jane breweries - yesterday on Twitter following the announcement.
Before his election to Parliament, he served on Bradford Council, becoming leader of the council in 2006.
As well as the community pubs brief, Hopkins will also be responsible for local government, adult social care, and planning policy and casework in relation to wind farms and solar.
On his departure Lewis told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser that pubs will remain “well looked after” following his promotion to Minister of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government.
As an MP Hopkins is a former housing minister. Both he and fellow DCLG minister Penny Mourdant were tipped to take over the role from Lewis.