Our Team
Chris & J. Ryce
Chris & J. Ryce
Chris & J. Ryce
Founders
Chris and J. Ryce met in Valdosta while both attending Valdosta State University.
In 2014 they had a wild hair and decided they wanted to abandon their careers (7th Grade Teacher and Forensic Biologist) and chase a dream to open South Georgia's first craft brewery.
They started brewing in J. Ryce's garage while they wrote business plans, took business classes, and designed recipes. Five years later, with the help and support friends and family, they sold the first Georgia Beer Co. beer.
Both founders live in Lowndes County. J. Ryce coaches football and Chris serves on the Tourism Authority Board of Directors. They love South Georgia, both choosing to raise families here.
Forrest Swan
Chris & J. Ryce
Chris & J. Ryce
Head Brewer
Forrest has been homebrewing for many years. He was the President of the Valdosta Homebrew Club, where he met Chris and J. Ryce. He started with Georgia Beer Co. in 2019 as an Assistant Brewer.
Forrest moved up the ranks and is currently the Head Brewer - in charge of recipes, inventories, scheduling, and can drive a forklift like nobody's business.
He arranges for local farmers to pick up spent (used) grains, comes up with new beer ideas, and makes sure that the brewery is running as smooth as possible.
Oscar Humphries
The Whole GBC Family
The Whole GBC Family
Head Cellarman
Oscar went to Valdosta State University with Chris and J. Ryce. They reconnected many years after college at a Homebrew Club meeting.
Oscar started with the brewery as an Assistant Brewer, and worked his way up to Head Cellarman.
Oscar is responsible for the beer from the time the yeast is added until its in your glass. However, that's not all he does. Oscar is a man of many talents - he runs the canning line, slings kegs, drives the forklift, and anything else needed.
The Whole GBC Family
The Whole GBC Family
The Whole GBC Family
Beerslingers, Shift Leads, Assistant Brewers
We literally have THE BEST staff in the world. Each one brings something unique and amazing to the GBC table.
Our beerslingers and shift leads keep you well served in the taproom, and our assistant brewers and packaging operators make sure the beer is delicious and properly put into kegs and cans.
We are proud to employ more than twenty hard-working folks who are passionate about beer. Without them we would not be in your glass today.
Cheers!
Our Location
How to get here:
Georgia Beer Company is located just 2 miles off of Interstate 75; a quick and easy drive east on Highway 84. Bring on the edge of Downtown Valdosta, many restaurants and amazing local shopping spots are just a few blocks away. Best of all, the brewery is surrounded on three sides by unrestricted, public use parking.
Food:
Being a production brewery (basically a beer factory) means that we do not make or serve food. However, we know that beer and food is a match made in heaven, so you are welcome to bring something with you, have something local delivered, or from time to time, eat from one of several local food trucks parked outside. We "typically" have food vendors available Wednesday through Saturday.
Facility:
Our brewery is family friendly! We maintain a relaxed environment that families enjoy and we even have a few high-chairs for the little ones. There are several board and card games that all are welcome to use. Feel free to bring your four-legged children to the outdoor beer garden too; but please keep them leashed and cleaned up after.