OUR STORY
Orange Hat Brewing Company started in the way many breweries do… with two amateur home-brewers out in the garage, talking smack over a boiling pot of wort. One, Rodney, a craft beer enthusiast that traveled the country exploring the evolution of the beer industry. The other, Brian, a home-brewing fanatic that was fascinated by the art and science behind craft beer. After a six-pack or two, an idea was born. This idea soon flourished into Orange Hat Brewing Company, Hardin Valley's first microbrewery!
We’re often asked how Orange Hat got its name. When Rodney was first home brewing, he called his beer “Orange Blossom Homebrew.” Being that Brian’s last name is Hatmaker, Rodney and Brian put Orange and Hat together, creating what we now call Orange Hat Brewing Company.
After several months of planning, nearly a year of construction, bumps, bruises, blood, sweat, and tears, Brian and Rodney dusted off their jeans, put down the paint brushes, and opened the doors to Orange Hat in the spring of 2020.
Get to know our amazing owners and brewers below!
Co-owner
BRIAN HATMAKER
Brian was raised in Clinton, TN, just a few miles away from OHB. Clinton has the quintessential small-town feel where everybody knows your name and friends, family, and neighbors spend time together and help each other out.
Brian inherited his outstanding athletic abilities and strong work ethic from his dad and his genuine love of caring for others and warm smile from his mom.
He went on to play baseball at the collegiate level, married his high school sweetheart, Mary, and is now raising two amazing boys, Stone and Luke. He’s remained in Clinton and carries a strong drive and love of community with him.
He has been in the healthcare industry for twenty years now and loves meeting and helping people.
Brian enjoys making people happy and drinking great beer. Orange Hat Brewing Company has allowed him to combine those two into a welcoming space for all to live life to the fullest.
Head Brewer
JOHN MARTINEZ
John was born in Texas but grew up in Brighton, Colorado, where he spent most of his life before chasing new opportunities beyond the state. After graduating high school in 2016, John completed college in 2020 with an EMT certification. Although healthcare was his original career path, he found himself drawn in a different direction—craft beer.
In 2021, John started home brewing and took a chance on a small brewery that had just opened its doors. He began as an assistant brewer and quickly worked his way up to head brewer within a year. Wanting to keep pushing himself and learn at a higher level, John joined WeldWerks Brewing, where he continued to grow as a brewer and refine his craft.
Eventually, the pull for something new led John and his wife, Hannah, to pack up and move out of Colorado. They now call Knoxville, Tennessee home, exploring new ideas and creating great beer along the way.