62
opping Hopping Around CT.
OEC Brewery
Ordinem Ecentrici Coctores (Order of the Eccentric Boilers) Set in the woods of Oxford, Connecticut, is a brewery like no other in the state. Possibly like no other in the country. OEC Brewing is the brainchild of Ben Neidhart, and it sets itself apart from all other traditional breweries by brewing almost exclusively sour and lager beers. Founded in 2014, the
Photos & profile by Jim Lalumiere
brewery is the sister company of B. United, an import company specializing in niche alcohol products from over 17 countries. Ben’s father, Matthias Neidhart, started the company in 1994 and in 2010 began bringing draft beer in special tank containers to be kegged on US soil. In 2011, Ben began the Zymatory Project, barrel aging and blending the draft beers for smaller breweries who didn’t have the space or financial means. Teaming up with brewer Tony Pellino, the next natural step in that progression was to brew their own beers. That step became OEC Brewing. Most craft breweries brew on conventional systems. Instead of staying traditional, the team ordered a 15-barrel brewhouse from Kaspar Schulz out of Bamberg Germany. This company has been making very specialized brewhouses since the 1400’s, and only a handful exist in the United States. Not to conform to other brewery norms, OEC installed a coolship in
which to cool and naturally inoculate all of their beers. A baudelot was also brought in to act as a heat exchanger and added to the aeration process. This baudelot was the first one built by Kaspar Schulz in over 100 years. According to Tony,“Our vision was to build a unique brewhouse that would result in unique liquids.” Those unique liquids don’t come from the customary brewing practice of today. They come from the 400-500 wooden barrels
