Meet the Makers: Shy Bear Brewery

The Story Behind Shy Bear Brewery's Unforgettable Name

Some brewery names come from clever wordplay or brewing terminology. Others pay homage to local history or family heritage. But the story behind Shy Bear Brewery's name? That comes from an unexpected game of peek-a-boo with a very large, very hungry black bear.

Jason from Shy Bear Brewery shares how a single autumn morning in 2016 gave his family's new venture the perfect name.

A Family Divided

When construction and land development for the brewery and restaurant began about ten years ago, Jason's entire family was split on what the name should be and even what they should specialize in overall.

The challenge was particularly meaningful because of the family's deep roots in the area. Jason's father founded Rich Coast Coffee back in 1978, originally operating out of their family home at the top of the hill. Today, that same hill overlooks the brewery, with the coffee business essentially sitting in their front yard.

"Because of that history, the brewery's name needed to feel grounded in the land, the surroundings, and the character of the area," Jason explains.

The name also had to check a lot of boxes. It couldn't already be taken, had to be easy to spell, and needed to strike a balance. Approachable and memorable without being too serious, overly historical, or outright goofy.

An Unexpected Visitor

The name finally revealed itself in late fall of 2016.

The family had brought in their bird feeder for the season. It was filled with sunflower seeds. But the very next morning, they found a large black bear standing right at their front door, clearly wondering where his food source had gone.

Startled, they watched as the bear noticed them, quickly hopped off the patio, and disappeared into the trees heading down toward what would soon become the brewery.

A moment later, though, it returned. Slowly, cautiously, almost tiptoeing back toward the house to see if the feeder might reappear. At the same time, the family was peeking through the window to see if the bear was still there. What followed was an unexpected game of peek-a-boo between them and this massive, curious bear.

"That shy, hesitant moment stuck with us—and the name Shy Bear emerged naturally from that experience," Jason recalls. "It captured the spirit of the land, the story of the place, and the quiet humor of an encounter we'll never forget."

The Perfect Fit

The name checked every box the family had been searching for. It was grounded in the actual land where the brewery sits and carried the right balance of approachability and character.

Today, visitors to Shy Bear Brewery are part of a story that connects family history, the surrounding landscape, and one unforgettable morning when a hungry bear helped solve a naming crisis.

Stop by Shy Bear Brewery at Fresh Market to experience the place and the story behind the name.