Fredonia Brewery began in Paul’s backyard as a home brewer with a dream, a possibly misguided dream, but a dream nonetheless. In early 2014 the decision was made to figure out how to actually open Fredonia Brewery. Many small home-brewed batches and discussions followed. In 2016 investment had been secured, and plans drafted. Spring of 2016 we began to build and what I often jokingly refer to as “the best worst idea I ever had” was beginning to take shape.

A love of craft beer and brewing began this adventure and remains the very core of Fredonia Brewery. Nac Brew Club – our local homebrew club was the magical source for so much of what became Fredonia Brewery, and to this day it is hard to see where one ends and the other begins. We love that and consider it to be an absolute win for us. Hard work, planning, replanning and more hard work allowed us to open our doors to the public for the first time March 4, 2017. The work, love and fun continue to this day and the future holds a large level of excitement for us to share with you what we have done.

Head Brewer & Co-Owner

I’m Paul Murray, or Pablo, to many. I fell in love with craft beer in 2000 while stationed in Petaluma, CA with the U.S. Coast Guard. I served in the USCG for just under 11 years, honorably discharged in 2008. I returned to live in Nacogdoches after my time in the service. I went to college at SFA and always loved the town and region, so returning was my plan for quite some time. I grew up in Sugar Land, TX (South West Houston) for the majority of my life until I came to SFA in the Fall of 1990. Gen X’er! I started as a homebrewer and formed up the beginnings of our local homebrew club, Nac Brew Club, in 2010. My passion and love for brewing, and the community involved in it, led me to open the Fredonia Brewery in 2017; once I was able to partner up with some incredible people who shared my vision. Planning for this began in 2014. I love the team, the passion, the work, and the fun of our business. I hope you come visit and experience our offerings here at the taproom, mere feet from where they have been created. Cheers!

Operations/Taproom Manager

Born into a family of minor Portuguese nobility, Jack became a skilled sailor and naval officer and was in service of the Portuguese crown in Asia. After King Manuel I of Portugal refused to support his plan to reach India by a new route, by sailing around the southern end of the South American continent, he was eventually selected by King Charles I of Spain to search for a westward route to the Maluku Islands (the “Spice Islands”). Commanding a fleet of five vessels, he headed south through the Atlantic Ocean to Patagonia. Despite a series of storms and mutinies, they made it through the Strait of Magellan into a body of water he named the “peaceful sea” (the modern Pacific Ocean). The expedition later reached the Spice Islands, and one of the surviving ships eventually returned home via the Indian Ocean, completing the first circuit of the globe.

Off-Premise Sales Manager

Ethnically Leprechaun, Allen was rejected for service for his excess height. Head held high, Allen traveled to Middle Earth, wanting to live in Hobbiton. Again, he was denied entry for being too tall. Distraught, Allen then traveled across the pond to America. There he started his new life brewing pints of beer from home. From time to time, he would take odd jobs as a cobbler. His favorite is blueberry, which is convenient since now he lives in Nacogdoches. If you are thinking he has brew cauldron, you’re right. He also has a particular affinity for green clothes and shiny objects. If you see Allen running around town delivering beer to our local accounts, don’t be alarmed if you hear him muttering, “they are after me lucky charms.”

Beertender

Have you ever seen the show Ice Road Truckers? That show is loosely based on Jerry’s life. He is an Ice Road Trucker magnate. Even before he made his first million in Ice Road Trucking, Jerry was involved in all kinds of different careers. He worked at a tire shop up until he was 19 years old. He’s also been an ice road taxi driver, an ice road club bouncer, and even an ice road mobile home flipper. Find what you are good at and stick with it. Not afraid to get his hands dirty, Ezzell started working in ice road coal mining before eventually making a switch into ice road diamond prospecting. Something you may have not known about our buddy Jerry is that he’s a best-selling author. In 2010, his first book, King of the Road: True Tales From a Legendary Ice Road Trucker, was published. Retired from the long life on the road, Jerry makes his home in East Texas. Next time you are in the taproom, ask Jerry about his extensive resume. He loves talking about it.

Assistant Brewer & Beertender

I’m Brent (aka Doc. Burt, Birdman). I’m a native Texan from Odessa. I’ve been with the brewery since the beginning as a volunteer, helping to build our tables and benches. My primary duty now is to serve you our delicious brews, but you’ll see me around the brewery mopping floors, packaging, helping with some of our small batch brews, and cleaning… always the cleaning. I’m also an avid homebrewer and a long-term member and past president of the Nac. Brew Club (You should really join the club!). I’m also a Professor of Biology at SFASU, where I’ve been since 1996. My academic specialties are birds and animal behavior so If you have a question about those topics feel free to ask, because nothing goes better with beer than an ornithological discussion… well, maybe barbeque. I’m an avid traveler and love sailing and hiking. I have two wonderful daughters who I simply adore, and why yes, I am single!

This is the best job with the best people and I love being a part of the team. So come let me pour you a beer or two, but please, try not to get too distracted if there happens to be a runaway mule downtown.

Beertender

Texan, retired Air Force (don’t hold that against me). I have lived in Nacogdoches since 2004. Always liked better beer. Learned more about good beer as a member of the Nacogdoches Brew Club. I’m part of the original Tap Room Crew here at the Fredonia Brewery (yep I’m the old guy). Proud to be part of it. 
Come down, see us and have a craft beer.
Cheers, ya’ll

Beertender

Hired under the TDCJ work program. He works here “super” part-time. Loves cockroaches and his family, not necessarily in that order. “Inferior beard game”- per Jack Sullivan, his “superior beard game” brother.

Beertender

This is a true story, gather ’round. Born in the wild backcountry of Indiana to feral hippies, Sam spent her formative years in a college town learning what “pub” meant and how to talk adults into holding her upside down by a leg. She soon banded together with an elementary chum to mine Benny, the local wishing fountain, daily for candy money. This caused a spell of failed wishes within a 10m radius and as a result she was captured and shipped to Texas. There she was exposed to country music and roaches for the first time, developing a love for outlaw country and a deadly fear of the other. After it dawned on her that hey, boys weren’t really that gross, her handler moved her to an island inside a Florida gator farm patrolled by feminist warriors, where she learned the art of vehicle maintenance and discovered that mingling was her kryptonite. After high school she escaped to fair Nacogdoches and later joined Nac Brew Club, exponentially increasing her love and respect for fellow brewers and their hop fueled yearly bacchanals. She treasures her time spent at the Fredonia Brewery, whether working or drinking, as that is where her favorite people are. Also, Fredonia Brewery beer imbues the drinker with beauty, comedic brilliance, charisma, and unparalleled dancing skills. Win win, y’all. PS – Sam is terrible with names, so don’t be insulted if she asks your name every single time you order a beer.

Beertender

Dan was born in the London Underground station of Highgate while the station was in use as a shelter from German bombing. Later on in life, Mr. Saenz became a political campaign adviser to Robert F. Kennedy. In 2018, Dan sat in and performed 6 songs, ranging from Elvis to the Tennessee Waltz, with the Lazybirds, an American Roots Music band based out of Black Mountain, NC. Retired from political and music life and now in Nacogdoches, he is a successful snake wrangler and frisbee enthusiast. This beertender gig is just his “side hustle”. IF you’ve ever tried the DNZ brew here at Fredonia, he the D. He also runs, for fun. Like he has something to hide. Do not trust this man.

Cellerman

My name is Thomas Moser and I work as a cellarman at the Fredonia Brewery. My duties include milling in fresh grain, making sure the brewery is nice and tidy, rearranging a walk in cooler on hot summer days, helping Paul brew and,of course, taste testing all the beer. I got into craft beer because I used to work for Paul when he was brewing beer in the Nacogdoches Brew Club and if I wanted a beer after work, it had to be one of his fabulous concoctions. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Come to the Fredonia Brewery and let’s have a pint together!”.

Music Coordinator

HI! Even though I don’t live in Nac anymore, I’m a BIN (Born In Nacogdoches) so I’ve spent most of my life in Nac. After serving as the Entertainment Coordinator for several years for the annual Texas Blueberry Festival in Nacogdoches, it was an easy yes when they asked me to take over scheduling live music! I’m familiar with many of the local artists, and my bestie (Alex Ranc) does the social media, so much of my time in town is spent at the brewery anyhow! We are always excited to have local artists play so that our patrons can enjoy some live music along with our fantastic Fredonia beer.

-Some facts about me

• I have a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from SFASU and work for an advertising agency in Tyler, Texas.
• I’m still in Nac often, as my family still lives here and I’m very involved as a board member for the SFASU Alumni Association, plus the above-mentioned Lumberjack Basketball Podcast with my bestie. Axe ‘Em Jacks!
• I LOVE to travel and hope to get back to my international adventures soon (thanks COVID)
• I am a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady and equally obsessed with dogs (my 15 yo Gabby being number one of course!) So please bring your pups to the brewery

Come out and drink local beer and listen to some local tunes! 

Rebellion Pizza Kitchen Manager

Hello! My name is Emily Bodin and I am from Conroe, Texas. I came to Nacogdoches to study at SFA in 2019. When I grow up, I want to be an accountant. I have been working at Fredonia Brewery since April of 2022 and I have been family ever since. I don’t brew and I am probably the only person on payroll that doesn’t enjoy beer (bread water). I’ve been cooking since I was a kid, I remember being little and sitting on the counter cooking with my mom. My goals are to bring some new flavors into the kitchen and uplift those around me. When I am not cooking in the Rebellion Pizza Kitchen, you can find me striving away at my favorite hobbies: sewing, mini-modeling, and building Lego.

Social Media Manager

Hey, y’all! I have been a fan and patron at the brewery since they opened on Day 1, literally I have picture proof, and I often call Fredonia my second home because I am basically there all the time. So it was an immediate YES when they asked me to take over the social media manager position! It kind of felt like I unofficially worked there for years anyway! I am super excited to get our name and brand out there as much as possible to potential customers who visit Nac as well as keeping our local fans connected and engaged in what is going on in the beer garden!

– Some facts about me

• I have a Master’s Degree in Communication from SFASU and work at the local community college down the road in Lufkin, Texas.
• I LOVE craft beer, whiskey, and wine. I love history (probably why I love living in the Oldest Town in Texas), the Houston Astros, and traveling with Scotland, Ireland, and England at the TOP of my list.
• I am probably one of the biggest Lumberjack sports fans and even do a Lumberjack Basketball podcast with my best friend Jaclyn.
• If you see me around the brewery taking pictures of people, DOGS especially, and beer or playing Trivia please say hi!

#DrinkLocalBeer