Craft Brewing Business Menu

We say goodbye and good luck to Summit Brewing’s OK Ray

In 1986, Summit Brewing Co. founder Mark Stutrud set out to rediscover the traditional brewing methods behind the great handcrafted beers that once flowed throughout the Midwest. He would need lots of help along the way. Guys like longtime employee Ray Hess (aka OK Ray), who recently retired from Summit Brewing Co. after 24 years with the brewery. Social media nerd Chip Walton sat down with Hess on his last day and chatted with him about his time with the company and the craft beer industry during its boom. OK Ray has a lot of great things to say — so grab a pint, sit back and enjoy the conversation. It’s smart, hard-working guys like Hess that have made the craft brewing industry what it is today. We say thanks and come back for a pint soon.