Craft Beer Veteran John Bryant Joins Oskar Blues
John Bryant, a highly successful and well-respected craft beer veteran, has joined the Oskar Blues Brewery management team.
Bryant is now the COD (Connector of Dots) for the pioneering, microcanning craft brewery in Longmont, Colorado. He will oversee the brewery’s sales, distribution, production, marketing, strategic-planning and revenue-building efforts. “I’ve been canverted,” Bryant says. “I’m joining the canned revolution that these guys have started, and I’m ready to turn more people on to the benefits of delicious beer in cans.”
“My goal,” he adds, “is to help Dale and the crew here connect its dots and become a more efficient and successful outfit.”
Oskar Blues grew its annual production by 64% last year, producing 19,500 barrels of beer in 2008. In 2007 Oskar Blues produced 12,409 barrels of beer.
“Our brain trust needed another trusted brain,” says Dale Katechis, Oskar Blues founder. “We’re having some growing pains, and John’s going to get our train running more smoothly and help us have more fun.”
For the past 4½ years, Bryant served as chief operations officer for Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado. Bryant played a key role in doubling the brewery’s revenues during his tenure, and he leaves behind a group of tightly knit professionals and friends.
Before Odell, he spent 9 years at Deschutes Brewery (in Bend, Oregon) as vice president of sales & marketing. He played an instrumental role in the company’s growing from a 25,000 barrel craft brewery to a 140,000 barrel regional brewery. He aims to help Oskar Blues continue its six-year growth trend. “Coming here is a move of passion for me,” Bryant says. ”I want to build great teams of people and help the brewery boost its production, revenue and mojo.”
Bryant is the second significant hire Oskar Blues has made in the past six months. In November the brewery welcomed Jeff Nickel, who had been a leading brewer for Coors Brewing/MolsonCoors for the past 8 years. Nickel serves as head of beer production for Oskar Blues. “One of our keys for success,” Katechis adds, “has been bringing in people with deep talent, skills and experience. John fits the bill perfectly, having him on our team is huge for us.”
Oskar Blues opened its new 35,000 square-feet brewery/cannery in Longmont last April.
The company’s beers are now available in 23 states: CO, AZ, CA, ID, WA, OR, AK, NM, GA, VA, NJ, PA, MA, NY, WI, RI, CT, MD, NC, FL, TN, TX and SC.
Dave Chichura is the head brewer for Oskar Blues Brewery.
