Our Team
Our Team
Three Guys. One Dream. Great Beer!
Meet The Fort Orange family
The Westcotts
John Westcott
Birth Place: Albany, NY
How it all began: I started home brewing in an apartment my wife and I rented when we were still dating. To say the first few batches were a disaster is an understatement! I began researching processes, techniques and ingredients to start perfecting my homebrews. In 2013 I met Jim and we started to brew more flavorful beers. Soon after Craig was in the fold and each batch had become better and better.
Love for the craft: It all goes back to Mahar's in Albany. Every week a large group of us would go and try a few new beers that we could check off our list. During that time I started to pick up on certain styles and flavors I liked. That set the stage for me.
Favorite Beer Style: IPAs followed closely by a crisp pilsner.
Favorite Sports Teams: New York Mets, Tampa Bay Bucs, Duke Basketball
On the Go: I love playing outside with my two kids, fantasy baseball/football and playing on the Fort Orange Brewing rec league softball team.
Like a less talented Slash...
Did You Know: I was in a band called Inside Draw during my high school and college years. We won a local battle of the bands sponsored by Xbox and MTV2 back in 2005. We advanced on to a national competition where the winner had one of their songs featured on the 2K Sport College Hoops video game. No need to dust off your Playstation Two, we didn't end up winning but had a great time with the experience
The Eatons
Jim Eaton
Birth Place: Schoharie, N.Y.
How it all began: My sister went to college near the Magic Hat Brewery in Burlington, Vermont and introduced me to their #9 beer. I loved the flavor it had! Soon after I received a home brew kit for Christmas from my parents. Despite almost burning my first house down I have stuck with brewing. When I started brewing with John and Craig the beers became much more enjoyable. Even my wife would agree!
Favorite Beer Style: New England style IPAs followed by pale ales.
Favorite Sports Teams: New York Yankees, New York Giants, Georgetown Basketball
On the Go: I cherish spending time with my three girls and wife, cheering or coaching my kids on at their events and I love to run.
Fastest man in Castleton
Did You Know: I will be running my third Boston marathon in the Spring of 2018 and my PR for the full is 3:05. To date I’ve completed seven marathons.
The Johnsons
Craig Johnson
Job Title at Brewery: Co-owner, brewer, operations
Where did you grow up: Queens, NY
How it all began: I brewed a beer-in-a-bag with my dad when I was younger. It turned out horrible but was fun to try since my dad wanted to see the process (which by that way is no way to make beer). It was only after watching an episode of Alton Browns' Good Eats show that I tried to brew a real beer. Alton had an entire episode on brewing beer called Amber Waves. I went right out and bought a kit, and I did a much better job this time as I was older and I had survived chemistry class in college.
Favorite Beer Style: An Entire, which is known as a porter. It is a working mans beer.
On the Go: Outside of Fort Orange I enjoy wood working. I also dabble in electronics and mechanical contraptions.
From riding in tanks to brewing in them.
Did You Know: Right after high school I joined the Army to be an M1 Abrams Tanker. I loaded, drove and was a gunner on the tank. I completed my enlistment and went right off to college where I co-hosted a radio show with my friend Dave. We played some good music that Guy Richie and Quentin Tarantino would likely jam too.