Tyler Jones
Lord of the Liquid
Tyler earned his Chemical Engineering degree from the University of New Hampshire, and was lucky enough to stumble upon a homebrew kit in the coat closet of his apartment. Brewing went from fun activity to obsession and after graduation he decided that he needed to attend the Master Brewers program at UC Davis to turn this passion into a career. He came back East to look for work and got his first brewing gig at Mercury Brewing Company in Ipswich Mass. An opportunity opened up to work with Tod Mott at the Portsmouth brewery and Tyler quickly jumped on it. While working with Tod for 4.5 years Tyler got to learn the true art and craftsmanship that should go into every pint. To gain a little more production brewing experience Tyler worked at Smuttynose Brewing Company for a year before taking over as Head Brewer at the Portsmouth Brewery. Tyler continued to provide uniquely honed libations during his tenure at the Portsmouth Brewery. Brewing beer is the perfect blend of art and science that allows both sides of his brain to be firing all day. When Tyler is not knee deep in mash, he enjoys his life as a daddy to his two sons, Noah and Odin, alongside his wife, Rachel. Tyler also has the second highest Galaga score on the brewery arcade machine!
Tom Sobocinski
The King of Counting - Brewery Operations, Supply Chain, & Development
Tom joined brother Jason Sobocinski in 2009 when he decided to spend a summer working at Caseus Fromagerie Bistro in New Haven. After the summer Tom decided he loved the business and the different facets it entailed and he wanted to sign on full time. The two decided to start The Cheese Truck together (www.TheCheeseTruck.com), which quickly became the top food truck in New Haven. In 2012 Tom and Jason were looking for another project and stumbled upon the old Richter’s Bar. After months of planning and restoration, Ordinary (www.OrdinaryNewHaven.com) opened in April of 2013. Ordinary focuses on fine wines, craft beer, and specialty cocktails along side a selection of charcuterie, cheese, and BBQ. Tom lives in Hamden with his wife, daughter Ayla, and his dogs named after his favorite cheeses, Beemster and Camembert! He loves motorcycles, mountain biking, and flying airplanes in his free time. Tom finds the restaurant/beer business to be very intriguing because he is able to use a large array of skills and no two days are ever alike. How could it get any better? Throw beer, friends, and family into the mix! – Tom manages much of the finances for the brewery along with sales, distribution, hiring, and marketing.
Jason Sobocinski
Baron of Branding
Jason Sobocinski was born and raised in New Haven, CT. Jason attended Providence College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and minored in film. After a 8 month trek through Australia and a failed attempt at a desk job Jason moved back to New Haven and began catering and taking a heavy interest in his favorite subject; food with a story behind it. Cheese naturally was his focus and passion. What else could be so delicious in its natural state and then elevated to new level when melted!? After working in restaurants as everything from a waiter to a baker, cook and manager, Jason decided to continue his education in food by attending Boston University where he pursued a Master’s degree in Gastronomy. During his time in Boston he worked for the prestigious Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge learning about cheese, its roots in culture and its rich stories. When he moved back to New Haven he opened his own cheese shop with adjoining restaurant, Caseus Fromagerie Bistro. Jason supports sustainable farming by purveying local produce and naturally raised meats. He excels at searching out the best American and International cheeses and holding educational classes and dinners all to bolster his quest of a continuing edible education. Jason hopes to increase everyone’s relationship with their food and enhance their experience through a fun approach to products deemed “fancy” by stripping them of all contentions and mystery. In 2011 Jason starred in the Cooking Channel show The Big Cheese and continues to work with the Cooking Channel on cheese specials. His cookbook The Caseus Fromagerie Bisto Cook Book came out in 2010 and has sold all over the country. Jason’s newest project now introduces his two loves of BEER and BBQ into the mix. Jason will over see the Black Hog tasting room, marketing, and sales. Of course, each Black Hog brew will have a suggested cheese pairing! Jason lives in Hamden with his 3 children, a lovely wife who supports his many endeavors while working full time as a teacher, and a large dog named Brisket. He loves riding motorcycles, cooking for his friends and family and telling the cheese stories.