Veteran-owned Distilleries and Breweries
There are many veteran-owned breweries and distilleries. Some are more vocal about this than others, but all share the time in uniform as a common bond. We profile a range of companies below, all with a veteran connection.
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Veteran-owned Distilleries and Breweries
Shadow Ridge Spirits Company
Shadow Ridge Spirits Company is a veteran-owned craft distillery based in Oceanside, California, founded and operated by Navy veteran Sean Hallman and his wife, Lisa Ireland. After serving as a surface warfare officer, Hallman brought his precision and discipline from the military to the art of small-batch distilling.
Together, the couple produces handcrafted, grain-to-glass spirits in ultra-small runs, managing every stage of the process in-house. Their line includes bourbon, rye, peated and American single malts, and rum, all made with experimental grains, yeasts, and aging techniques.
Ono Brewing Company
Ono Brewing Company is a family-owned craft brewery in Chantilly, Virginia, founded by Scott and Cyndi Hoffman. The name “Ono” means “delicious” or “tasty” in Hawaiian, reflecting the couple’s deep ties to Hawaii—Cyndi’s mother is from O‘ahu and Scott served in the U.S. Army at Schofield Barracks.
Their vision was to bring a laid-back island atmosphere to Northern Virginia, where patrons can feel like they’re on “island time,” unwind with on-site craft beer, and enjoy a tropical-flavored experience.
The brewery features a unique self-serve beverage wall with 12 taps of craft beer, hard seltzers, and wine, letting visitors pour what they like when they like in a relaxed setting.
Ono’s beer lineup emphasizes fun, flavor, and tropics-inspired styles. For example, they brew a coconut brown ale called “Island Time,” a mango wheat ale called “Manako,” and a banana-forward hefeweizen named “Banana Hammock.”
Red Leg Brewing Co
Located in Colorado Springs, Red Leg Brewing Company was founded on Independence Day 2013. It comes from a reference to Civil War artillery soldiers who wore cardinal-red stripes on their pant legs to indicate their positions on the battlefield. The company’s mission emphasizes crafting quality beer while honoring the men and women who served.
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Honor Brewing Company
Northern Virginia’s Honor Brewing Company was founded by Allen Cage, a former U.S. Army pilot with nearly three decades of service. The brewery opened in 2014 to “Brew Great Beer. Honor American Heroes.”
Cage’s military background is woven into the brewery’s identity — its Bar & Restaurant location in Sterling includes a prominent “Wall of Honor” displaying photos of fallen veterans and first responders, and the business emphasizes support for those who’ve served. With multiple locations, including their Loudoun County-Sterling facility and a private event space in Chantilly, Honor Brewing offers both craft beer and a strong message of service.
Veterans United Craft Brewery
Veterans United Craft Brewery in Jacksonville, Florida, was founded by Ron Gamble, a former Naval Flight Officer who turned his love of homebrewing into a full-scale operation in 2014.
The brewery’s mission, to “brew quality beer while honoring veterans and building community,” is reflected in its name and in its staff, many of whom are veterans. Their lineup includes popular beers like Raging Blonde Ale, HopBanshee IPA, Scout Dog 44 Amber Ale, and Buzzin’ Bee Honey Rye Wheat.
Railhouse Brewery
Owned by a group of Army, Navy, and Air Force veterans in Aberdeen, N.C., Railhouse Brewery was founded in 2010 and has grown into a local hub for beer lovers, offering a full taproom, food options, and spaces for live music and events. Railhouse’s lineup includes classics like the smooth Handcar Lager, citrusy Orange Blossom Witbier, and malty KA-BAR Brown Ale.
Service Brewing Company
Service Brewing Company is a craft brewery in Savannah, Georgia, founded by Army veteran Kevin Ryan. Its taproom is laid-back and welcoming, and the beers are named for military pride—like the hoppy Battlewagon Double IPA, smooth Old Guard Bière de Garde, and crisp Rally Point Pilsner.
Talea Brewing Company
TALEA Beer Co. is a Brooklyn-based brewery founded by Tara Hankinson and LeAnn Darland (who served in 2019), making it one of New York City’s few fully women-founded craft breweries.
Their beer range features styles such as the juicy hazy IPA Sun Up, fruity sours, and light lagers, which are complemented by colorful packaging and inclusive branding. TALEA also distributes its beers to stores such as Whole Foods.
14th Star Brewing Company
14th Star Brewing Company is a craft brewery based in St. Albans, Vermont. (The name “14th Star” refers to Vermont being the 14th state admitted to the Union. ) Founders Steve Gagner and Matt Kehaya developed the brewery after serving in Afghanistan.
14th Star Brewing brews a wide variety of beers—everything from crisp lagers to rich stouts and hazy IPAs. Its taproom is a gathering place for craft-beer lovers, live music, community events, and seasonal outdoor seating.
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RELATED:
- Choose Veteran-Owned Businesses as the Economy Normalizes
- SBA Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business program
- Veteran Businesses Highlight
- Patriot Bootcamp
- The VA’s Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Program
