COOP shakes up staff, moves forward on cans
The Thirsty Beagle learned recently that COOP Ale Works has undergone some staff changes. Gone is original brewmaster Chase Healey, who has moved on to pursue other interests, including doing some consulting work with Battered Boar. The new top brewer is Blake Jarolim. COOP co-founder Mark Seibold issued this statement:
“We met Blake Jarolim at the first social rave in February 2009 before we opened our doors. Blake started out a fan of COOP, and I quickly learned that his brewing prowess was matched with passion and unbound energy. It’s great to talk about all the nerdy-technical aspects of brewing with Blake because he is so attune to detail, having brewed literally every style of beer known to man. Blake’s knowledge of brewing is unparalleled, and I think Oklahoma City is going to be surprised with what we have planned in the next year or so.”
In addition, COOP partner JD Merryweather has been named the brewery’s full-time sales and marketing director. Seibold offered this statement:
“We’re really pleased to bring JD on full time as sales and marketing director. Providing sales support to all of the restaurants and bars we have in Oklahoma can be a lot of work, and the introduction of 16 oz. cans will only increase sales further. Having JD out in the community as a craft beer advocate 
means great customer service to all of our favorite bars and restaurants and a single source for all things local. If your readers haven’t met JD yet, they should, because a great city needs someone to carry the mantle of awesomeness, and JD is leading the charge.”
You’ll notice Seibold mentioned COOP’s long-awaited 16 oz. cans; I can provide an update on that situation: Merryweather tells me the cans will be printed Wednesday, and you can expect to see them on liquor store shelves by mid-October, maybe sooner depending on production factors.
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Finally! I’ve been waiting for the cans! Although I’ve noticed a difference in the latest batches of Native Amber. A much stronger “roasted” flavor maybe? Wonder if the recipe was tweaked by the new guy or if something changed? Hmmm….