USA, VA: Screech Owl Brewing becomes West Virginia’s 14th craft brewery

The 14th craft brewery in West Virginia just opened this past September in Preston County, WBOY-TV reported on November 20.

"I always thought in my younger days, my lot was to drink as much beer as I could, but I found out I was better at making it," said Roger Johnson, owner of Screech Owl Brewing, located in Bruceton Mills.

This discovery happened when Roger Johnson's wife Crista gave him a store-bought beer brewing kit for Christmas one year. His concoctions were a hit with friends and family. This is when he decided to make a go of it and become a part of the brewery community.

Screech Owl Brewing has five different beers on tap, from the IPAs to the dark beers, and there's also seasonal ones. But one of the favorites is the Threshold Floor Wheat. They also have CAPS IPA, Ryker's IPA, Adalyns Brown Ale, and their seasonal Preston Harvest Ale.

All of Screech Owl's beers are for sale and are available in six-packs, refillable glass jugs, and kegs. Johnson takes pride in each of his hand crafted beers.

"Add your own little twist to it, you know that's what craft beer is all about is making something that is like an artist designing something. It's still a picture, it's still a beer, but it's got your own little twist to it. Your own little flavor profile," said Johnson.

After traveling the roads as a truck driver for 21 years, Johnson is happy to settle down and concentrate on the business with his wife.

"It's family, friends and quality, is what we're after. So if that means we produce a hundred gallons a week, that's fine. If that means we produce 3,000 gallons a week, that's fine too. But I don't really want it to become a job, I really enjoy it now. It's fun," said Johnson.

Although the brewery just opened in September, it will always remain the oldest.

"There are other breweries, but it just sort of hit me one day that, you know, we're not only the first craft brewery in Preston County, but we're also the oldest. We'll always be the oldest. Nobody else can be the oldest brewery in Preston County," said Johnson.

21 November, 2015