About Usthe people behind the beer
Craft brewing is blowing up these days but it wasn't always like this. Craft beer used to be a small segment of the drinking population and an even smaller section of the brands at the beer store. The market was dominated by the big boys but all that has been changing as more people learn about, sample and develop a taste for interesting craft beers.
Black Oak Brewing is a brewery and bottle shop located in Etobicoke. Our roster of beers include pale ales, brown ales, bitter brews and a variety of seasonal and experimental offerings.
The people behind the beer:
Black Oak relies on great people to make great beer and get it to our customers. The people we work with are our strongest asset. Each person’s contributions are very important to our success. Learn more about the specialized team that carefully crafts Black Oak into the beer it is.
Ken Woods
Owner & President
Certified management accountant. OCB secretary & Board of Director member. Certified BJCP Beer judge. Un-official industry photographer. Brewery tour guide.
Mark Hutchison
General Manager
Mark started at Black Oak Brewery in January of 2015 as our General Manager. He claims his title of GM is a fancy way of saying "I do what nobody else wants to do" which at times, can be true. Mark is also our resident batting coach. So if you need help with your swing- He's your guy! When he's not at work he's usually with his three young children who has taught him nearly as much as Ken has (excluding all the beer stuff of course...)
Josh Gabriel
Director of Sales
Josh has been in the beer business since 2007, and with Black Oak since 2016. After retiring from the beer business back in 2014, he met Ken at a Georgapalooza, and decided to break back into the craft beer industry with Black Oak. Josh grew up in the Toronto area, and moved to Guelph in 2005. Josh started out as the territory sales manager for the Guelph community and surrounding area, and now holds the position as Director of Sales. On his spare time, Josh is an avid supporter of Arts and Culture in the Guelph community, General Manager and Founding Partner at Turtleshell Studio, and a season ticket holder with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Jon Hodd
Brewmaster
Jon starting his brewing journey brewing beer in his tiny apartment trying to emulate his favourite styles of beer that were very hard to find almost a decade ago. With no formal brewing education Jon knew he would need to network his way into the industry through hard work. After taking a job at Bar Volo as a server, Jon was able to convince Bar Volo owner Ralph to let him brew the House Ale beers on his free time. Through Bar Volo, Jon was introduced to Ken, and after some time of casually hounding him for a job at Black Oak, he finally landed a position on the bottling line.
When Jon isn't working at the brewery he enjoys road cycling, barbecuing, listening to music and hanging out with wife and kids.
Mike Lynn
Brewer
Mike Lynn has been brewing for Black Oak since 2012, but he’s much more than just a craft beer expert and enthusiast. He's our resident Computer Technician and Copywriter.
If he's not here at the brewery, he's spending time with his family, playing guitar, or watching hockey.
Arien Russell
Packaging Assistant
Arien started with Black Oak as a packaging assistant in 2017. After going to UofT for English and Sociology, and working in a couple different industries, he’s extremely happy to start his new career in the craft beer industry. When you get the chance, ask him about his "Books and Beer Swap" group!
Mark Blommers
Inside Sales and Social Media Coordinator
Mark Blommers started with Black Oak in 2016 as an inside sales representative and social media coordinator. You know all those tickets and prize pack we give away online? Well you can thank Mark for that! He's the King of Contests, having won many himself, so be sure to follow us on social media and keep an eye out for his next giveaway! And when you have a second, ask him about his Pringles car...
Mike Mayo
Brewer
Starting at Black Oak in 2016 after graduating University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, "Mayo" is one of our full time brewers.
He first started homebrewing in second year of university before pursuing a career in craft beer. If he's not making beer, he's drinking beer, reading about beer, thinking about beer, or cheering on our Toronto Blue Jays.
Cameron Maveal
Sales Manager - Western Toronto & Golden Horseshoe
Cam started with the company in 2016 as an inside sales representative, event coordinator, and social media guru. After juggling many hats here in the brewery, he is currently managing our Western Toronto & Golden Horseshoe sales division.
He has completed trips via bicycle from Paris-Dublin and Toronto-Montreal, been to 22 countries and counting, jumped out of a plane once and enjoys cycling, softball, sailing, canoeing, camping, and reading.
Brittany Bateman
Marketing & Events Manager
Joining Black Oak in 2017, Brittany is new to the Craft Beer Industry coming in with a strong background in restaurant management and marketing coordination. If she's not in the office, you’ll most likely see her pouring pints at your local festival or greeting you here at the brewery. If you don’t see her during your visit, she’s probably out fishing somewhere in cottage country sipping on a Beat the Heat.
Jorg Gutzeit
Delivery Driver
If you've tried Black Oak in your local pub, restaurant, LCBO or grocery store, most likely you can thank Jorg for dropping it off! Jorg has been with Black Oak for over 8 years.
Hes a Gun collector and amateur marksman. If he's not out delivering your tasty Black Oak brews across Ontario, he's at home spending time with his wife, 2 kids, and Dessie the Boston Terrier.