OEC is and has been family owned & operated since its inception in 2014. Jie (China) & I (Germany) were both born in other countries and came to the USA when we were young. Now being a bit older & happily married we’ve become more inspired by our roots. By adding a touch of American ingenuity we’ve developed these unique items to reflect our family & it’s history. We hope you enjoy drinking them as much as we enjoy making them!
– Ben & Jie –
OUR INSPIRATION
East Meets West
Born and raised in China, with my extended family still spread across various regions, my Chinese heritage is deeply rooted. Each trip back with Ben and Ethan reveals new dimensions of Chinese culture and cuisine, deepening our appreciation for the country’s rich culinary tapestry. My maternal grandfather hails from Shandong—the birthplace of Confucius—where crafting dumplings by hand is a time-honored tradition passed down through generations in my family. We continue the tradition and love them pan-fried and soaked in black vinegar & chili oil. My maternal grandmother’s Cantonese background influences my cooking with an emphasis on simplicity: steaming, poaching, and simmering to highlight the natural flavors of each ingredient. On my father’s side, the family is from Hubei, a province known for its balanced blend of salty, sour, and umami flavors, often featuring ingredients from its rivers—nurturing my love for subtle acidity in dishes. Born and raised in Wuhan, I also developed a fondness for bold, spicy food— something Ben, coming from a German “non spicy” background, had to adjust to but has since wholeheartedly embraced. We joke in the family that while he can NOW handle more heat than I can, he’s the one who ends up sweating the most.
Our travels through China have been a deep dive into its culinary landscape, sparking the idea to craft fusion beers that complement the bold, varied flavors of Asian cuisine. Ben, rooted in German brewing traditions, brought time-honored styles like Kölsch, Pilsner, and Weizen to the mix. My love and passion for Chinese flavors, added a bold and innovative twist. The result is a collection of beers that fuse East and West—crafted to be savored with food, and born from a journey of culture, taste, and love.
– Jie –
Artwork
BEHIND THE ARTWORK
The meaning in the labels
Our label artwork reflects the combination of the different cultures within our family: From the German style fonts & stylization to the traditional Chinese / East Asian artwork. It has always been important for menus to do our label designs in house. The creativity behind the label adds to the excitement and joy of brewing the beers and giving them their own personality!
The dragon playing with the phoenix on the Oolong Kolsch is one of my favorites as it represents a blissful relationship between a husband and wife. While it isn’t always smooth, it sure has been a fun ride!
For the Yuzu Pilsner that we designed for Ethan (Our son) we used a dragon for his strong-willed, decisive, and self-confident manner. As much as we love him, sometimes we just refer to it as just stubborn.
On the Emerald Dragon Weizen label we used the dragon & tiger artwork. The dragon & tiger together represent balance & harmony. While we try for this in our family in this case it also plays on the ability of the Weizen to tame the spiciest of dishes!
Baihu, the mythical white tiger, that graces our Jasmine IPA label symbolizes power, strength, and courage. According to legends, the White Tiger appears during periods of great peace and harmony. Something which we are always hopeful for!
– Ben –
Also Check Out Jie’s Sodas
Growing up in China, I had the pleasure of enjoying real cane sugar drinks made from fresh sugar canes, which left a lasting impression on me. YuYu’s Soda was born out of this nostalgia. By blending traditional Chinese ingredients with the effervescence of soda, I wanted to recreate the sense of joy and simplicity that I experienced back then. YuYu’s Soda invites you to join me on a journey, where each sip evokes a sense of adventure and nostalgia, celebrating the rich flavors of China & Southeast Asia in every bubbly drop.
– Jie –