About Us

Our Story

Gulf Coast Brewing Company started the same way most good things do, simple, honest, and built with intention.

Make good beer. Make it right. No shortcuts. No pretending. Just hard work and respect for the craft.

We’re from the Gulf. The air is thick, the water is close, and life moves the way it should. You earn your keep here. You build something real, or you don’t build at all. So, when the idea came together, we knew it had to be done the right way, by hand, with patience, and a refusal to settle for anything less.

But this place didn’t come from just an idea. It came from the right people finding each other at the right time.

James Trotter brings the foundation. With more than 25 years in business leadership, sales, and operations, he understands what it takes to build something that lasts. From running an award-winning BBQ and catering business to leading large-scale teams and driving growth through smart strategy, James knows how to take a vision and turn it into a profitable, working reality. He sees the big picture, and more importantly, how to get there.

Travis Oldenburg brings the structure and execution. As an entrepreneur and operator, he’s built and managed businesses from the ground up, with a focus on quality, efficiency, and customer experience. From leading large teams and overseeing complex operations to building brands and managing risk, Travis ensures that what gets built not only works, but works well, every day. His approach keeps standards high and the experience consistent.

And then there’s the beer.

Jason Bergantim brings the craft. With over a decade of brewing and production experience, he’s led operations at scale, managed multi-site facilities, and produced award-winning beer recognized at the highest levels. With formal training, industry certifications, and a deep understanding of both the science and art of brewing, Jason ensures every beer that leaves the tank is something worth standing behind.

Different backgrounds. Different paths. Same mindset.

Together, we built Gulf Coast Brewing Company to be exactly what we wanted to find, a place that feels real.

The beer is straightforward and full of character. A few you can always count on. Others that come and go like the tide. Some bold. Some easy. All made with purpose.

The taproom is open and unpolished in the best way. A place to sit awhile. Talk with friends, or make new ones without trying too hard. No fuss. No noise you don’t need. Just good beer and the people you choose to share it with.

There’s a bit of pirate in all of us. Not the costume, the spirit. Independent. Restless. Unwilling to be like the rest. Willing to take something good and make it better.

In the end, it comes down to simple things done well.

Good beer. Good company. A place worth coming back to.

This is Gulf Coast Brewing Company.

Pillage. Plunder. Beer.

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