Leann McDonough is the person behind our brand and the curator of our vibe. Read on to get to know her and learn a little more about the background of Oakflower Brewing Company.
What brought you into the world of craft beer?
I mean, we all seem to kind of find our way here, don’t we? But I think what really pulled me in, what made me fall in love, was its inventiveness -- its ability to spark conversation and invite its own evolution in a way. I love the experimentation – the new techniques that might change body or taste, an interesting pairing of ingredients to bring out different notes, or just a fresh take on a traditional style.
And that to me is what helps foster this sense of community you see in craft beer – the exchange of opinion, the offering of a new idea, the shared excitement over trying something new. It’s something worth sticking around for; it’s a journey you find yourself wanting to stay on to see where it grows.
Is that what led you to want to open a brewery?
Absolutely. We originally pursued Oakflower Brewing Company as a small farm project with our friends over at Flipside Farm in Bedminster, New Jersey. We had been into craft beer for a while, but with a deeper understanding of the farm process – and through experimenting with local, seasonal ingredients – we fanned the flame a bit. We wanted to give the community a local gathering place to experiment with us and source that exchange of ideas that I think really drives craft beer’s evolution.
How did you end up in Millington?
My husband and I actually live in Millington and kind of happened across the spot we’re in now. It’s funny, because it’s really a stone’s throw away. When we heard the space was becoming available, we had a vision of creating a small Main Street stay – a place for people to hang out for a bit – maybe take the train over from Summit, grab some ice cream at Something Sweet, enjoy a few beers, walk over to Hicks Tract. It just felt like the right fit, and a way to serve up our local recipes right to the local community itself.
What inspired the name, Oakflower?
Just ask AJ how much he loves raking up Oakflowers!
But oak is obviously very big in the beer world - white oak barrels have been a traditional go-to for beer storage, and now for aging and flavoring too. We wanted to root our name in the natural elements that inspire our more rustic style. But at the same time, we wanted to infuse some femininity into a world that's long-been male-dominated.
On oak trees, male and female flowers exist as two different blooms that grow on the same branch. It's a nice complement – this idea that oaks are self-pollinating because of that coexistence. Oakflower's growth is entwined with each of us offering our distinct perspectives and applying our own strengths. It's something we're passionate about, and something we felt was important to represent in our identity.
Last but not least! Favorite beer style?
While I'm definitely a sucker for a full, rich stout, I have to say nothing beats the clean, crisp taste of a great lager.
Cheers!
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