The People

Black Oak relies on great people to make great beer and get it to our customers.  The people we work with are our strongest asset. Each person’s contributions are very important to our success. Learn more about the specialized team that carefully crafts Black Oak into the beer it is.

	Ken Woods – President Running Black Oak is very hard work, but it’s worth it when someone says, “I really like your beer.” We’ ve been getting a lot of great compliments like that. Lots of sacrifices have to be made, but the goal of a successful business is still the driving force for Ken. Now that we have production stabilized, Ken can focus on growing the company and get our great beer out to those who enjoy it and those who need to be introduced to it. Coordinating and developing production, distribution and sales while creating a very strong team is Ken’s job. At the end of the day, after all of the hard work, Ken feels that we’ve got the right elements and can now grow Black Oak.
	Jorg Gutzeit Born in Berlin, Jorg joined Black Oak after spending a significant amount of time in the insurance industry. Jorg is a jack of all trades around the brewery. In his spare time, he’s a talented amateur marksman.
	Simon Da Costa – Brewmaster Simon da Costa has worked for Black Oak Brewery for the past 5 years where he now holds the position of Head Brewer. He received a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Brewing and Distilling fromin Edinburgh, Scotland. He has been very active in the brewing industry for over 10 years and has also spent time in various roles at Belhaven Brewery, in Dunbar, Scotland. Raised in the heart of cottage country in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Simon left Canada for higher education in the U.K. where he lived for over 10 years. In 2005, after much thought and debate, Simon packed his bags, said goodbye to close family and friends, and returned to Canada to immerse himself in the burgeoning craft beer movement sweeping across the country. In his spare time, you might find him sipping a beer in one of the many craft beer friendly pubs across the city. Simon is a proud member of both theand the.
	Sonja North – Brewery Coordinator Got a beer emergency? Give Sonja, our Brewery Coordinator a call and she will be glad to help you out. Getting beer from one place to another is part of her job at Black Oak. When she isn’t coordinating sales, she is leading Black Oak tastings, doing social media, planning events and running the retail store. In her spare time, she is studying to become a Beer Judge through the BJCP program and practising her now totally decent all grain home brewing skills. She got bit by the brewing bug when her husband started to make beer in their tiny apartment. Having always been a lover of all things tasty, it was a natural progression to finding her way from working in the world of Fashion to the world of Beer. Her favourite beer is Black Oak Pale Ale…but a good sour beer is a close second!
	Jonathan Hodd, Brewer – Assistant Brewer Jon decided that it was brewing for him after his first batch of homebrew left him bruised and bloody, but wanting more. He began working in beer at Bar Volo as a server, with a keen eye set on the small pilot system in their kitchen. Jon quickly transitioned from server to brewer for their House Ales. After nagging Ken enough, he became assistant brewer at Black Oak, where he does everything Simon doesn’t want to do.
	Michael Lynn – Deliveries and Events Mike said that learning to homebrew in 2009 planted the seed that would eventually pull him of his academic career path and into the brewing world. After completing the first phase of the he decided to pursue his passion for beer. Mike direct delivers our beer to each and every LCBO, Beer Store and Bar. When he is not doing that, you can find him at our events and parties, pouring and educating about our beers.
	Paul Dickey, Associate Brewer Paul began brewing in 1986.  By the 1987 he was ready to enter and won four medals and the Best of Show. Paul also started to judge beer in the 80s and took theexam.  Paul is currently a Grand Master Level I Judge within the BJCP.In the late 80s Paul started an apprenticeship with Michael Hancock at .  Following his early retirement from the Ministry of Health in 1999 he became the brewer at thein Burlington and Head brewer at the Black Oak Brewing Co. in Oakville.Paul’s latest venture is. – a Virtual Brewery.   Brewing at Black Oak, he is producing a variety of beers available on draught at better beer bars in Toronto, Hamilton, Guelph and London. Over the years Paul has developed the Black Oak Saison, Nutcracker, Coffee Porter,. Augusta Ale and most recently Double Trouble Brewing Company’s Hops and Robbers.