Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Tillery.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The genesis of Oconee Brewing Company was a casually spoken idea: The City of Greensboro, Georgia, would be a prime location for a craft brewery. That comment ignited a spark in John and Nathan McGarity of McGarity Realty in McDonough, Georgia. The father and son project development team own the 6,000 square foot former mill warehouse that is the home of Oconee Brewing Company. They partnered with Taylor Lamm and broke ground in June 2016. Oconee Brewing Company opened on May 6, 2017.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The ride has been thrilling but not smooth!
Now we can laugh about this story: The original name of the Brewery was Lake Country Brewing. While we were still under construction, we had a growing social media following, so we decided to order and sell t-shirts with our logo. The same day that the merchandise arrived, we learned that the trademark for the name was already held by a much bigger and more powerful (i.e., their lawyers would have crushed us) company. Suddenly we were a business without a name and useless merchandise.
But the cool thing is how our fans (who hadn’t had the first drop of our beer) reacted. They embraced the new name with local pride and, looking back, we’re glad that we more specifically represent our neck of the woods.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Oconee Brewing Company – what should we know?
Oconee Brewing Company is a craft beer retail production facility and a tasting room that is open to the public. A 3,600 square foot Event Space includes an 18 foot high, floor to ceiling, glass curtain wall that opens to an outdoor patio.
We’re available on draft and in cans in bars, restaurants, and stores across Georgia, but we think that our small town location sets us apart. The City of Greensboro, Georgia, has remained a quaint community of just over 3,000 citizens. However, just a few miles away from our downtown building, on the shores of Lake Oconee, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds welcomes over 62,000 guests per year.
Oconee Brewing Company is “fortunately located” in the “middle of everywhere” to attract craft beer enthusiasts from Atlanta, Athens, and Augusta.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The people are the best thing about Greensboro, Georgia! (And the buttermilk pie at The Yesterday Cafe is pretty amazing.)
Pricing:
- $6 for a pint on site
- $10 for a six pack of cans on site
- $10 for a flight (four 5oz samples) on site
- $36 for a case (24 cans) on site
- $25 for a 64oz growler and fill on site
Contact Info:
- Address: 202 North West Street
- Website: www.oconeebrewingco.com
- Phone: (706) 920-1177
- Email: leslie@oconeebrewingco.com
- Instagram: @oconeebrewingco
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/oconeebrewingcompany
- Twitter: @oconeebrewingco
Image Credit:
Amy Maria Photography, Clayviation, Kris Hopkins Photography
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