l o c a l b u s i n e s s
Odd Bird, Great Beer b y L i e s e l S c h m i d t
Our beer is made to be both flavorful and easy drinking, and we are focused on providing high quality, well-balanced, and flavorful beer that can be enjoyed all day.
Anne Margaret Harrison and Hunter Davis
F amily, friends, beach, and beer—In the coastal communities of the South, those are four things that seem to be inextricably linked. Unfortunately, the advent of a worldwide pandemic seemed to cast a long shadow over those times spent together, beer in hand, while the waves washed up over the shore like a returning friend. For Hunter Davis and Anne Margaret Harrison, it was finding a way to bring those simple joys back that led to the idea for their own brewing company. “Due to the pandemic, we both found ourselves at home on 30-A, and the slowness of life during that time allowed us to enjoy simple things,” says Davis, who spent the last 20 years immersing himself in the food and beverage industry of Walton County. Naturally, that passion is a key component to his venture with Harrison, who brings her knowledge in business and science. “Homebrewing and beer tastings became a part of our regular routine, and we loved bringing our friends and family together for these occasions. We didn’t want the fun to end and couldn’t think of anything better than sharing this with our community. Each of us had something different to bring to the table with experiences in the food and beverage industry, business knowledge, and a passion for brewing,” Davis notes. “It was the best combination for a brewery, and we couldn’t wait to begin.” By June 2020, the newly minted business partners had created a business and then moved into their brew space at the beginning of September. Beginning with a five-barrel brewhouse that holds four-to-five-barrel fermenters, the new brewing company is taking flight— with a name to match. Uniquely called Odd Pelican Beer Company, the brand is one that Davis and Harrison feels conveys a state of mind—and brings back a few memories. “The story of the odd pelican is a familiar tale to many beach locals,” Harrison explains. “Growing up, Hunter’s dad always stopped to count the pelicans. He told Hunter that they always fly in odd numbers, and this led to the never-end-
ing question: Where is the missing pelican? We have come to the con- clusion that our odd pelicans can’t help but stand out from the rest. The odd pelican is constantly searching for a good time, good company, and good beer.” Sourcing all of their grains from the Midwest, mostly Wiscon- sin and Montana; and their hops from the Yakima Valley in Washing- ton state, Odd Pelican has plans in place to brew a variety of beers, casting a wide net to appeal to a wide range of beer lovers. “We want to create a flavor for everyone,” says Davis, who also owns his own pri- vate chef business called The Dish and the Spoon. “There will be a focus on seasonal beach beers, IPAs, and malt-forward brews.” And while launching a business in the midst of a pandemic might have been more than slightly risky,
First to be released is a golden ale called “Bud’s Brew”, which is part of the premier line “Seaside Suds”. The beer will first be released in establishments in Seaside and later into surrounding communities. “Our plan for the future is to get as many different beers in the public’s hands as possible, and we are excited to release our flagship beers on draft and grow into cans soon after,” Davis explains. A taproom is planned to open at the Odd Pelican brew space in Freeport later in the year—giving all odd pelicans a place to come and find their own.
the risk came with great rewards. “We naturally had quite a few challenges, but with the obstacles that this has brought, it has also brought us the time and opportunity to turn our passion into a business in the first place,” Davis says. “Our favorite part about owning a beer company is how it brings people together. Growing up in this close- knit community, we have always loved how food and drink has a way of bringing people from different ages, places, and interests together. We’re excited to be able to share our love for beer with our community, and we can’t wait to watch the Odd Pelican family grow with each new person that tastes it. Our beer is made to be both flavorful and easy drinking, and we are focused on providing high quality, well-balanced, and flavorful beer that can be enjoyed all day.”
For more information, visit them on Facebook at www. facebook.com/OddPelicanBeer.
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