This just in: Oakshire Brewing has added some new baggage: Me.
Matt Van Wyk, currently of Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery in Flossmoor Illinois is set to join the Oakshire Brewing team at the beginning of April. Excitement abounds, to say the least.
A little about myself: I have been in the brewing industry for about 8 years. First at the Glen Ellyn Brewing Co. in suburban Chicago and then dual stints at FireHouse Brewing and Two Brothers Brewing also in the suburbs of Chicago. In the fall of 2003 I followed the renowned Todd Ashman as Flossmoor Station’s Brewmaster. In the last five years I have been fortunate enough to work for a great company and win several national and international awards including the 2006 Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year award at the Great American Beer Festival.
My wife Jenni and two children Nick (5) Ella (4) couldn’t be more excited to relocate to the Pacific Northwest and start and new journey with you, the fans of Oakshire Brewing.
I can’t wait to get my boots into the trenches over on Madera Street and start making some of the great beer Jeff and the crew have been making for the last two years. The crazy growth and what has been going on there is exciting-and we’ve got many more exciting things in the works. Stay tuned!
I’ll be taking a little trip to Belgium starting tomorrow and I’ll try share a little piece of that with you as soon as I am able. I’ll be at the brewery by April 1st. Please stop by and say hi if you get the chance. Until then: Peace!
3 Comments
Welcome to Eugene and to OakShire, mate! Have a great time in Belgium. Looking forward to meeting you sometime and seeing what beers you start turning out with the lads!
Thanks! can’t wait to get started :)
Hi Matt,
I am Roy Van Wyk’s daughter,Tami, Roy is your dad’s first cousin who lives in Monroe :) My mom told me to google your name with beer behind it an odd request if you know my mother. Glad to see you and are family are doing well & it’s great to read about your successes!Oddly I am currently teaching Chemistry at Le Mars Community High School in Iowa, can’t say as I ever thought of brewing as an option but it seems like my major could be of put to better use ;) Hope you enjoy the Pacific NW ! Good Luck,Tamara
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[...] former brewmaster Matt Van Wyk recently left Flossmoor to assume similar duties at Eugene’s Oakshire Brewing. With several medals adorning the interior, the brewery’s commitment to excellence is evident [...]