Mother's Brewing - Update - Interview with Jeff Schrag

In our second in our series of three interviews with the “Mother’s Boys,” we’re talking with Jeff Schrag, owner and the mind behind Mother’s Brewing Company.  While I have only met Jeff a few times, my impression of him is one of a somewhat quiet but friendly guy.  He was very friendly and nice, and really opened up as we talked about the brewery, his plans, and-- well-- beer in general.

St. Ange Brewing:  We’ll start with a basic question about the inception of Mother’s Brewing Company.  What inspired you to open a brewery?

Jeff V. Schrag: I am a lover of food and drink. Not from birth or by childhood training, but as a conscious adult choice. First it was wine instead of Coors Light, and then it was craft beer. For years, I had this fantasy about owning a winery: the land, the vines, the possibility of perfection in a bottle. But I love my life in Springfield and my businesses in Downtown. I don’t want to give them up. Then, on the day after Thanksgiving in 2008, I was reading an article about craft beer and it hit me: I could brew perfection in a bottle in Downtown Springfield. Within a month I had joined the Brewer’s Association and began this journey.

I understand when you started this project, you were very specific about wanting your location to be in downtown Springfield.  Why was it so important to be located in the downtown area?

JVS: My life is in Downtown Springfield. I played a role in renovating—as an owner, partner or tenant—ten buildings. I have served on the Boards of most organizations. I am proud of what we have built and what Downtown has become. The Brewery will become a big asset to Downtown and to the entire community. People like to rally around hometown success stories and I know that Mother’s will be one of them.

What makes now a good time to be opening a brewery in Springfield?  

JVS: The awareness of and acceptance of craft beers in America is at a 100 year peak, but Missouri in general, and Southwest Missouri in particular, lags behind the nation. Thus, we can get in the door to restaurants and stores but there is also plenty of room for growth in our segment.

Where did the name “Mother’s Brewing Company” come from? 
 
JVS: The brewery sits on historic Route 66 and that was an early theme that we explored. Along with 100 others. Then the idea morphed from the “Mother Road” to Mother’s. Then the idea of putting a Mother’s love and care into each batch of ale just stuck.  If possible I did not want to name the brewery after a geographical feature or a person (especially me)—the way 90 percent of all breweries in America are named.

What is the personal significance of the logo?

JVS: It is the best way that we could find to symbolize love but also independence, adventure and fun.

While I’m sure you hope that your brewery will be financially successful, you probably have other goals, as well. What other goals do you have for Mother’s Brewing Company?  

JVS: Our goal is to produce as much love per barrel as possible: love of flavor, love of fun, love of our co-workers, love of the environment, love of our community.

Choosing a good team for your brewery is very important.  What made you choose Brian and Jeremy to join you on your journey into brewing?  What does each of them bring to the table?

JVS: Brian just fell into my lap. He’s an accomplished brewmaster and nationally recognized beer judge who relocated to town for his wife’s vocation. I admire his knowledge of beer. Jeremy and I knew many of the same people and we share a passion for beer and business. The three of us work well together and more than anything, we have become friends.

Opening a production brewery has its advantages and disadvantages when compared to opening a Brew Pub.  What made you decide that a production brewery was the better fit for your company?

JVS: I did not want to have a restaurant. It would be tackling two businesses instead of one.

When your brewery has been open for a year and everything is going well, what do you hope your customers associate with your brewery and your beer?

JVS: Super solid everyday beers, complex, refreshing, enjoyable and at the same time daring, fun, tasty seasonals and one-offs.

What else do you want people to know about Mother’s Brewing Company?

JVS: We are about these things: great people with good jobs making great products and who strive to be assets to the community and to the brewing industry.

SAB: The flavor of a beer a beer is affected as much by the situation as it is by the beer itself.  For instance, you may remember a single glass of beer because of the people you were with when you drank it, or because of something that was happening at the time you drank it.  What is your favorite beer you’ve ever drunk, and why was it memorable?

JVS: I am a huge supporter of and volunteer with the American Legion. Several years ago I was in my first year as Boys State Executive Director. There was a big hubbub between some other volunteers and a guest speaker, basically the volunteers thought the speaker was out of line and was recruiting our delegate to help in his campaign for US Senate. Tempers. Words. Me in the middle. I walked straight from the melee to a staff member’s room that I knew contained contraband beer. I used my master key and drank his last beer: Great Divide DPA. Alone, on the fire escape, I loved every drop. I still love that beer. To set the record straight, I replaced the single beer with a six pack later that night.