We had the good fortune of connecting with Jack O’Connell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jack, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In all honesty, it was my partner Chris’ idea at first. I was on the road to becoming a veterinarian and worked with him for a few years. I decided to fall back into IT as I didn’t really love the idea of 4 more years of school (I had 2 degrees already). Funny enough I said no at first, and after some coaxing decided hey, I’m 28 years old so why not. I quit my job in October of 2019 and went full time here to design the place and run it full time as the owner and Director of Operations.
I will say, the second that I started in this industry I know there is nothing else I want to do for the rest of my life, besides retire and golf maybe!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I honestly am most proud of my staff. I’ve had the same staff members and actually been able to hire a few more since we opened Labor Day of 2020. They make a huge difference in the atmosphere and I appreciate them so much. Professionally I just kind of dove into it and researched and learned as I went along. I had no real prior experience in the field and everything I’ve done has been on the fly. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
The best way I can say we overcame challenges is just by being able to roll with the punches. We opened right in the heart of Covid so the only thing we could do is to focus on the present and the things that were happening and concentrate on that.
Our brand is all about approachability. Using my Dad as an example, the man drank coors light and mic ultra for a living so the first time he was handed a “craft beer” it was a 7% hoppy West Coast and he hated it. I don’t want that for other people. Craft beer is SO much more than these big IPAs and we want to show that. We do IPAs, but we also offer Lagers, Pilsners, Stouts, Sours, and even shandies (and so much more). I went back to my dad and introduced him to some craft Lagers and Pilsners and he loved it. Craft beer should be marketed and made for everyone, so we try to focus on that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I mean loaded question, but I love showing my friends the brewery. I’m really proud of what we made and what I serve so I like to show it off. I also would take them ALL over NJ because there are SO many amazing breweries to show off from the north to the south.
Food wise if we’re staying local I love Tacconelis pizza right in town as well as my favorite dive bar The Alden!
Honestly, the week would just be filled with brewery hopping and showing all the amazing beers NJ has to offer!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife and my partner Chris, as well as my brewer Josh. I told my wife I was in the process of opening a brewery when we were still dating and she stuck with me through all of this, and she’s been one of my biggest fans.
Chris Torre, my partner has also been amazing. Financially we would not be here without him and his input and insight into things as an established business owner in the area (Mount Laurel and Pennsauken Animal Hospitals) has been invaluable.
Josh has been with us since the start of the project in December of 2019, and without his already established beer knowledge and the absolute amazing creations he comes up with we would without a doubt not be a popular and profitable as we are now!

Website: www.drbrewlittlesbeer.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.brewlittles/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrBrewlittles/

Other: https://untappd.com/w/dr-brewlittle-s-beer/475838

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