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Today on the podcast, I get to share my interview with Tom Cook, founder of Von Ebert Brewing. This is a re-release episode we did with Tom about a year ago. SO MUCH has changed with Tom and Von Ebert over the past year, we thought a re-release it in anticipation of our run later this spring made sense. Tom and I chatted on the phone recently, where he updated me on all things Von Ebert and what it’s like being a new dad. Check that out at the end!
We have a run coming up at Von Ebert’s Pearl location on March 28, 2020. Click below to register! If you can’t make it, no worries; we have a TON of events this year.
About Von Ebert
I have enjoyed both of my interviews with Tom. He’s easy to talk to and offers a wealth of great life and business tips without really trying. As a first time dad, he seems to be keeping it together and really thriving off his new role. As a brewery owner, he also seems to be hitting his stride as Von Ebert enters their second full year of operations.
Tom is well aware that he can’t do this on his own. In both our original interview and the 2020 update, he mentions the people on this team helping to make Von Ebert an “all-around world-class brewery” and truly doesn’t take them for granted.
A Brief History of Von Ebert
Von Ebert Brewing is owned and operated by Tom Cook, Dennis January, Eric Simko, and Tom S. Cook. Von Ebert Brewing was named after Tom S’ Great Grandmother Ebert, who was the guiding force to our immigrant family when they came over from Germany to the United States.
Tom (the Tom we know) grew up in Vancouver, WA, and has lived in the Pacific Northwest for most of his life. He graduated from Purdue University in Indiana with a finance degree, and his first job out of college was with Chrysler. He had an opportunity to work for the Rolls-Royce car company, but his father, the elder Tom Cook, invited him to come back to the Pacific Northwest and work in the family business.
The Cook family owns several Taco Bells, Buffalo Wild Wings, and a other quick-serve restaurant franshices. Starting with one restaurant in 1989, they have grown to become one the top 10 largest franchise owners in the United States.
Tom came home and ran the finance department for a while. In 2014, they decided to get into the brewpub business by becoming franchisees of Fat Heads.
They operated Fat Heads in Portland for about three years. In 2018, Fat Heads corporate decided they wanted to focus more on the production side of the brewery. Tom wanted to focus on the brewpub side of the business. They parted amicably and in about a week, Tom and crew shut down Fat Heads and reopened as Von Ebert Brewing.
In July of 2018, they opened a second location, on Portland’s far east side, at the Glendoveer Golf Course. The two locations, as you can probably imagine, are totally different from one another.
About Von Ebert
Von Ebert Brewing was named after Tom S’ Great Grandmother Ebert, who was the guiding force to our immigrant family when they came over from Germany to the United States. Through marriage, our last name is different now, but when we decided to build a craft brand, we knew we wanted to make Grandma proud and she continues to be our guiding force. We brew on an American made, custom 10bbl brew house built by JVNW in Canby, Oregon. Most of our beer is poured directly from our brite tanks, which helps keep aroma in the beer.
All are Welcome!
We don’t care if you’re a runner, walker, or something else. We just care that you’re active! While most of our participants are running, MANY are walking, pushing strollers, or finding other ways to participate.
About Us
The Oregon Brewery Running Series is about inspiring Oregonians to Be Active, Have Fun, and Give Back. We host family-friendly, 5K fun runs that start and end at some of Oregon’s best breweries. Register for our next run here! Our theme music, the Oregon Song, is written and performed by James Hoffman.
