Evans Brewing Co. adds director of brewing to Orange County operations

Reminder that Bayhawk Ales has officially become Evans Brewing Co. over the last several months.

Evans Brewing Co. has hired Kevin Hammons, an experienced craft brewer and brewery manager, to serve as the director of brewing at the company’s Orange County, Calif., brewery. As director of brewing, Hammons will be responsible for brewing operations, quality control, brewery team management and related areas.

Hammons brings to the company more than seven years of experience in the craft brewing business, specifically the successful management of brewing, brewery operations and associated duties. Like many in the craft brewing industry, Hammons began as a homebrewer. Looking to turn his hobby into a career, he took a position as inventory manager with a boutique Orange County craft brewery in 2009. Hammons was ultimately promoted to brewing manager, responsible for supervising and managing a team of up to 11 employees, including both the brewer and seller departments. Hammons’ experience also includes operation of a barrel-aging program and ensuring the quality of all beers produced at a craft brewing facility.

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“We are very happy to have Kevin join our team to lead brewing operations at this important time,” said Evan Rapport, chief operations officer for Evans Brewing. “In addition to brewing the beers supplied to restaurants and other retailers in our growing seven-state distribution footprint, our brewery will be producing the beers served at The Public House, our first branded restaurant and tasting room, set to open soon in downtown Fullerton, California.

“The Public House will not only feature our four core year-round beers — Pollen Nation Honey Blonde Ale, The KrHOPen India Pale Ale, Oaklore Brown Ale and ChocōLatté Chocolate Porter, but it will also offer other popular year-round, seasonal and special release beers produced in our brewery.

“Kevin is expected to play an integral role in the development of planned future brewing facilities, including a larger Orange County brewery facility, the location of which we expect to announce in the coming months. All of these current operations and future plans will keep the brewery team very busy, and we have confidence in Kevin’s ability to successfully lead these efforts,” added Rapport.