About us

The story & the crew.

The gift

On his 21st birthday, James received a homebrewing kit from his craft-beer loving older brother, Sean. This sparked a passion that resulted in James creating and brewing nearly one hundred unique beer recipes over the next few years.

Steaming home brewing kettle James inspecting a glass of beer in the light

The first boil kettle.

Inspecting a batch.

The name

“Up the wooden hill” — their late grandfather’s peculiar expression for going upstairs to bed. His entrepreneurial spirit, family tradition, and quirky humor inspired the brewery’s name.

2017 · The space

Broke ground on a long-vacant 9,000 square foot warehouse in Edina, transforming it into a production craft brewery and taproom.

The empty warehouse before construction Ground work on the concrete floors

The space before construction.

Ground work.

March 2018 · Open

Opened as the first brewery and taproom in the City of Edina and soon added a kitchen to the taproom.

James setting up the new brew house

Setting up the new brew house.

2023 · The expansion

Doubled the size of the taproom, expanded our event center, and built a larger kitchen.

The Brewer's Ballroom set for an event The expanded taproom

The Brewer’s Ballroom.

The expanded taproom.

Owners, brothers, brewers

James Ewen

“Given my background in nanotechnology, I particularly enjoy the science of brewing. The creative process of crafting so many new flavors from just water, hops, malt and yeast is incredible. I love sharing my beer with others, receiving feedback, and educating them about brewing methods.”

Sean Ewen

“As a doctor turned serial entrepreneur, my ethos is to improve the lives of others. I love how Wooden Hill accomplishes this in many ways. Not only does our beer and food bring joy to so many, but we’ve also made Wooden Hill a great place to work by challenging industry norms and always seeking to provide value to our team.”

Gregg Hodgson

Taproom Supervisor

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

I “DO IT FOR THE BEER”! Seriously though, being a part of an incredibly talented team dedicated to providing exceptional craft beer and food, and being able to share that with the community in a fun and relaxed setting. My second favorite thing would be giving out dog treats and welcoming all of our furry four-legged friends!

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Bender (the robot) from Futurama!

If you were famous, what would you be famous for?

I’d be famous for being the second drummer in the British rock band “BAD COMPANY”. What began from being just a fan back in the 1970’s, having met the band after a few of their shows ten years later developed into a friendship. Highlights include travelling with the band on their tour bus throughout America and Europe, watching the show from the stage during their performance, and hanging out with them backstage. I am also listed in the credits (Special Thanks to Superfan Gregg) on their 1993 live album, “What You Hear is What You Get”.

Does pineapple belong on pizza?

Yes, of course, but only with pepperoni

Kristen Cervenka

Taproom Manager

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

I really enjoy being a part of creating a fun day at the brewery for our guests.

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

D.W. from Arthur

You’re a professional athlete - what’s your walk-0n song?

Catfish by Doechii

If you could bring back any fashion trend what would it be?

Shoulder pads! Gimme that linebacker look.

Tommy Guddal

Taproom Supervisor

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

Getting to try, share, and talk about all the great beer brewed at Wooden Hill.

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!

What’s your favorite drink that isn’t beer?

Got to be my morning coffee.

Is cereal a soup?

No, cereal is cereal. Soup is soup.

Nick Jungers

Sous Chef

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

Working with great people and being able to get creative in the kitchen.

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Michael Scott.

Is cereal a soup?

Nahh. Soup is savory, cereal is more sweet.

Is a thumb a finger?

Yup. If the pinky is, why can’t a thumb be?

Kyler Curtis

Sous Chef

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

The people who work here.

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Randy Marsh.

What’s your favorite drink that isn’t beer?

Prickly Pear San Pellegrino.

Would you rather fight 100 regular-sized chickens or 1 gorilla-sized chicken?

Call me Colonel.

Riley Burke

Sous Chef

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

My coworkers.

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Bender Rodriguez.

You’re a professional athlete - what’s your walk-on song?

For Whom The Bell Tolls - Metallica

Tik Tok or Vine?

100% Vine. Vine compilations give me life.

Dakota Paulson

Kitchen Supervisor

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

My coworkers

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Eren Yeager

What’s your weirdest phobia?

Squids and Octopus

If you were famous, what would you be famous for?

Creating banger songs

Montana Davis

Head Brewer

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

How friendly and helpful everyone is. Also Kold Shoulder.

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Kronk from Emperor’s New Grove

Build the perfect sandwich?

French baguette, grilled pork, char siu, fried egg, jalapeño, cilantro, cucumber, pickled daikons and carrots, maybe a lil spicy mayonnaise.

Is a thumb a finger?

If it is not people only have 8 fingers?

Jeremy Churchill

Brewer & Cellarman

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

The people I work with.

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Lego Batman.

If you could bring back any fashion trend what would it be?

Long collared shirts.

What’s your favorite drink that isn’t beer?

Coconut pineapple mineral water.

Tyke Pederson

Head of Canning Operations

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

Early morning working, along with trying the “first running” of dark (really any!!) beer on brew days.

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Yogi Bear, because I could tease him and call him, “Yogi Beer.” He just thinks he’s “smarter than the average bear.”😉

What’s your favorite drink that isn’t beer?

Scotch over a BIG cube.

Does pineapple belong on pizza?

Absolutely!! With Canadian bacon, even better.

Brittany Violet

Director of Events

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

Being an event manager allows me to bring people’s vision to life, creating memorable experiences and having the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of clients and vendors keeps my work exciting and ever-changing. Another favorite thing of mine is the people I get to work with. We have an incredible team and I’m lucky to be a part of it!

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Emily Gilmore or Trish - the supernatural sea goddess

Tik Tok or Vine?

Road work ahead? Uh yeah, I sure hope it does

If you were famous, what would you be famous for?

Being a Reality TV Gossip - I could talk Vanderpump, Real Housewives, 90 Day Fiance, etc., all day long.

Mia Gambucci

Graphic Design Lead / Event Coordinator

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

The collaborative/creative energy here is special - there’s a great culture of valuing everyone’s ideas whether you’ve been here for 2 weeks or 5 years. And I love designing the beer labels!!

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Tanya from The White Lotus.

What’s your current cell phone background?

It’s a watercolor by one of my favorite illustrators, Julie Houts.

What’s your weirdest phobia?

Any waterpark, public pool or public shower situation.

Shea Swenson

Administrative Assistant / Event Coordinator

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

Feeling welcome from the get-go and being creative with social media content! Also getting to try the tacos every Wednesday!

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Nick Miller from New Girl

What’s your favorite drink that isn’t beer?

A fun latte from a new coffee shop

Build the perfect sandwich?

Prosciutto, arugula, burrata, very thinly sliced tomato, and a heavy drizzle of balsamic glaze on a baguette.

Max Fry

Facilities Manager

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

Using my hands and mind to help make things work better.

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Mack from Cannery Row.

What’s your favorite drink that isn’t beer?

Coffee all day, until it’s time to drink beer

Would you rather fight 100 regular-sized chickens, or 1 gorilla-sized chicken?

100 chickens, but no roosters. Those things are a**holes!!!!

Josh Bauer

Director of Hospitality & Operations

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

The team! Everyone works well together and it’s one big family.

What’s your favorite drink that isn’t beer?

Rum and Diet. Especially good Caribbean Rum.

You’re a professional athlete- what’s your walk-on song?

Funk #49 by The James Gang (for the guitar riff)

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

The Dude from The Big Lebowski .

James Ewen

Co-Founder & Director of Brewing Operations

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

Creative collaboration with the kitchen, taproom, and administrative teams. Sharing insights with each other to improve our processes and devise new menu items has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing the joy on a customer’s face when they try a new beer for the first time is a close second.

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Laszlo Cravensworth.

Tik Tok or Vine?

Vine for sure! RIP.

Favorite drink that’s not beer?

Key Lime LaCroix, or a nice Chianti.

Sean Ewen

Co-Founder & Chief Beerpreneur

What’s your favorite part of working at WH?

I love seeing the taproom come alive on a busy night!

What fictional character would you like to have a beer with?

Yoda.

You’re a professional athlete - what’s your walk-on song?

Blinding Lights by The Weeknd.

Favorite drink that’s not beer?

Gin & tonic.

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