Kitchen Conversations

Managing Growth, Staffing and Change with Andrew Wasson, Owner of Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Company in Castle Rock, CO.

June 10, 2021 Shamrock Foods Season 1 Episode 14
Kitchen Conversations
Managing Growth, Staffing and Change with Andrew Wasson, Owner of Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Company in Castle Rock, CO.
Show Notes

  WBY History/Owners story 

Brothers, Andrew and Dean Wasson, and Andrew’s wife Rachel are the primary owners of Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Company.  All three are proud Air Force veterans having all served as active duty Air Force Officers.  This common heritage led to the decision to name our venture “Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Company” as a nod to the infamous Air Force fight song.  The ownership team also love the song’s and phrase’s message of adventure and conquering the unknown.  

Concept History 

Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Company stemmed from a common love of beer, food, community, family, and ubiquitous adventure. As Andrew and Rachel’s family grew, they found it increasingly hard to find locations that had generational appeal with great beer.  While balancing professional careers and dreams, Andrew and Rachel conspired with Dean to plan a brewery to solve these problems.  While Andrew set his sights on finding the perfect location, Dean seized the opportunity to pursue formal beer and food education.  Dean completed the Master Brewers Course from University of California - Davis.  Dean put this certificate to use interning at La Cumbre Brewing Company in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  This move helped catalyst Dean into production brewing operations at a larger facility in the Denver metro.  While working around beer every day was greatly enjoyable, the work often left Dean hungry.  Dean applied and got accepted into culinary school at Johnson & Wales University.  Dean excelled in his studies and quickly obtained pastry and baking degrees, stepping his way into business management and brewery management courses.  Combining this recent education with Andrew’s perfect location helped solidify the groundwork for Wild Blue Yonder Brewing company. 

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