Meet the Roots
of Oakestown Brewery

Bill: The Brain Behind Our Original Harbor Light Brews!
Other than being quite the storyteller, Bill has a passion and palette for creating an array of beverage options between beer, cider & craft sodas. Bill states, “Bounding on our opportunities in South Haven, we’ve created a gathering space and brews that are very community-centric. I look forward to creating a similar space, tasteful brews and a unique brewery experience to Grandville and surrounding cities.”

Tom  & Carpenter: A father/daughter team These two have their fair share of history in the Grandville community, which is why this opportunity seems so right. Tom, a former rugby coach for Grandville (2007-2016) became very involved in Grandville athletics and the community. Tom states, “Call it the stars aligning, fate, faith, whatever you believe in.. we’re very excited to be in Grandville and have been welcomed with open arms. It’s more than the brews, it’s about community and collaboration.”

Carpenter, a 2015 Grandville grad and D1 competitive cheer state champion moved to Arizona to receive a bachelors and masters degree in Global Business. She states, “I can’t say that I ever saw myself moving back to the Grandville area, but the city’s passion for embodying community made the decision incredibly simple. The opportunity to service Grandville and surrounding cities by offering a gathering space that brings friends/families together, great brews and food will be incredibly rewarding. Plus, I get to do it alongside my Dad which is pretty awesome! We’re so excited to be here!”

Mark: Head Brewer at Oakestown Mark joined the Oakestown team in November 2024, but his roots with us go way back. A key player in launching Harbor Light Brewery in 2019, Mark has believed in our vision and brand from the very beginning. What started as a way to pass time and learn about craft beer turned into a full-fledged career in 2016 when he began brewing professionally at Arclight Brewing in Watervliet, Michigan. There, he mastered the production system and began shaping his own bold, creative brewing style. He later served as assistant brewer at Silver Harbor Brewing Co. in St. Joseph, MI, where his brewing and production knowledge helped their innovative brews earn multiple awards. In a fitting twist of fate, Mark found his way back to us — bringing his expertise, creativity, and passion full circle. Since then, he’s helped us craft memorable beers and build meaningful collaborations with local businesses, all rooted in community and meant to be shared.