OUR STORY

Passion.

One thing is for sure — owners Matt and Michaela are passionate about beer.

“My dad used to brew beer at home when we were kids,” Matt says. “It was always something we wanted to try. Then in 2003, my wife Michaela lined up a homebrew session with some friends of ours, and we started doing it on a regular basis. Michaela’s dad even decided to plant three acres of barley and 40 hop vines in his back yard. Our passion is a family thing. It always has been, and continues to be today.”

Family.

“In 2008 we started a business plan for a microbrewery. All of our plans revolved around family—not immediate family, but a West O Beer family. We wanted to find other people out there, an entire team, who all shared our same love for beer — then grow it, and share it with others. We found them, and it worked.”

Water.

“Water is the most constant ingredient and flavor in beer. This ingredient led us to an empty lot in West Okoboji, Iowa, which was serviced with spring-fed, naturally soft water from West Okoboji Lake. Building on this lot in 2013 was the best decision we ever made. Our water is so important that we donate a portion of our proceeds to help preserve and protect the natural resources of the Iowa Great Lakes Region. You’ll hear us talk a lot about our water, and for good reason. It’s a big deal.”

Process.

“We’re not an average family. We are West O Beer. If our beer were average, we’d be wasting your time. Our staff raises the bar on everything, including our process. With full confidence, we’ll set a pint of our beer up against anything. When you see the name West O Beer, you’ll know who you’re dealing with.

“It’s not all bar-raising. We raise a glass every day, too — to fun and good beer. We’re all in, all the time. And we now welcome you into our family.”

Our sincerest thanks, and cheers!
–Matt, Michaela, and the whole West O family

MEET THE TEAM

Brandon Van Noort, Head Brewer

brandon@westobeer.com

While working as a cook at a local restaurant after graduating from Spirit Lake High School in 2013, Brandon developed a passion for home brewing and spent much of his free time brewing beer for himself and his friends. He eventually turned his hobby into a career when he started working as an assistant brewer at West O in 2019. Simply put, Brandon was a natural. Three years later, he took over as our Head Brewer.

Fun Fact: Brandon started homebrewing after he built a bar in his house and wanted to have draft beer at home. He figured it would be cheaper to make his own kegs instead of buying them.

Likes: Riding motorcycles, camping, kayaking and anything outdoors.

Dislikes: Karens and coffee.

Favorite Beer: LAKE BEAST™ New England Style IPA

Brandon Van Noort, Head Brewer

brandon@westobeer.com

While working as a cook at a local restaurant after graduating from Spirit Lake High School in 2013, Brandon developed a passion for home brewing and spent much of his free time brewing beer for himself and his friends. He eventually turned his hobby into a career when he started working as an assistant brewer at West O in 2019. Simply put, Brandon was a natural. Three years later, he took over as our Head Brewer.

Fun Fact: Brandon started homebrewing after he built a bar in his house and wanted to have draft beer at home. He figured it would be cheaper to make his own kegs instead of buying them.

Likes: Riding motorcycles, camping, kayaking and anything outdoors.

Dislikes: Karens and coffee.

Favorite Beer: LAKE BEAST™ New England Style IPA

Joseph M. Tiefenthaler, Taproom Manager

taproots@westobeer.com

Joseph M. Tiefenthaler is a Lakes Area native and nonprofit arts professional. After graduating from the University of Iowa, Joe was heavily involved in the Iowa City arts and nonprofit scene for many years. Joe’s nonprofit expertise has been instrumental in orchestrating our Taproots program, which is designed to build community partnerships with — and raise funds and recognition for — Lakes Area organizations, as well as our Blue Taps = Blue Water program, which — in partnership with Doll Distributing — donates a portion of proceeds from every beer poured through a blue tap at your favorite bar or restaurant to protect and improve regional waterways.

Fun Fact: Once danced to Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy” … on a stage … as a child … for a recital.

Likes: Charcuterie boards. Vinyl records. Old fashioneds.

Dislikes: Wet shoes and socks. Toilet paper rolls that go under, not over. And definitely spiders.

Favorite Beer: PILSNER™

Joseph M. Tiefenthaler, Taproom Manager

taproots@westobeer.com

Joseph M. Tiefenthaler is a Lakes Area native and nonprofit arts professional. After graduating from the University of Iowa, Joe was heavily involved in the Iowa City arts and nonprofit scene for many years. Joe’s nonprofit expertise has been instrumental in orchestrating our Taproots program, which is designed to build community partnerships with — and raise funds and recognition for — Lakes Area organizations, as well as our Blue Taps = Blue Water program, which — in partnership with Doll Distributing — donates a portion of proceeds from every beer poured through a blue tap at your favorite bar or restaurant to protect and improve regional waterways.

Fun Fact: Once danced to Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy” … on a stage … as a child … for a recital.

Likes: Charcuterie boards. Vinyl records. Old fashioneds.

Dislikes: Wet shoes and socks. Toilet paper rolls that go under, not over. And definitely spiders.

Favorite Beer: PILSNER™

Ian O’Brien, Sales Manager

sales@westobeer.com

Ian O’Brien grew up around Okoboji — many thanks to his family’s acreage and dairy farm outside of Spencer — and enjoyed everything the area’s natural beauty had to offer. After golfing in college, Ian started his career in the golf industry, where he traveled the country as a master club fitter and builder for many top professionals. That experience, paired with his passion for craft beer, allowed for a seamless transition into the beverage industry, first helping build a string of self-serve craft beer bars before realizing his true passion was working with beer producers and selling their delicious suds into the market. After a few years in the North Carolina beer scene, the opportunity to move back to Iowa — to be closer to family and work with one of his favorite breweries with ties to Iowa State University — was too strong to pass up. If you run into Ian, make sure he buys you an AMES LAGER!

Fun Fact: Ian has a black belt in taekwondo.

Likes: Golfing, fishing, hiking, lagers & pale ales, and Iowa State athletics.

Dislikes: Double-bogeys, people who tip poorly, and pickles.

Favorite Beer: SMOKED RED™

Ian O’Brien, Sales Manager

sales@westobeer.com

Ian O’Brien grew up around Okoboji — many thanks to his family’s acreage and dairy farm outside of Spencer — and enjoyed everything the area’s natural beauty had to offer. After golfing in college, Ian started his career in the golf industry, where he traveled the country as a master club fitter and builder for many top professionals. That experience, paired with his passion for craft beer, allowed for a seamless transition into the beverage industry, first helping build a string of self-serve craft beer bars before realizing his true passion was working with beer producers and selling their delicious suds into the market. After a few years in the North Carolina beer scene, the opportunity to move back to Iowa — to be closer to family and work with one of his favorite breweries with ties to Iowa State University — was too strong to pass up. If you run into Ian, make sure he buys you an AMES LAGER!

Fun Fact: Ian has a black belt in taekwondo.

Likes: Golfing, fishing, hiking, lagers & pale ales, and Iowa State athletics.

Dislikes: Double-bogeys, people who tip poorly, and pickles.

Favorite Beer: SMOKED RED™

Dona Swanger, Kitchen Manager

pizza@westobeer.com

Dona spent many summer days at her grandparents’ lake house on West Okoboji before eventually moving to the Lakes Area to be closer to family. After rising through the ranks of the local restaurant industry for the last 15 years, she joined the West O Beer team in the fall of 2024 and made an immediate impact. Her imaginative culinary creations are on full display during multi-course food and beer pairing dinners held in The Loft — one of her many ingenious additions to our regular taproom offerings. Be sure to sign up for the next one. You don’t want to miss it!

Fun Fact: Halloween is Dona’s favorite holiday. She loves metal core and death core. Her happy place is front row head-banging and two-stepping at her favorite bands’ concerts. She has more band tees than she can count (well over 300).

Likes: Her two cats (Winston and Stewart), pumpkin spice, being an aunt, going on road trips, and nerding out with her boyfriend playing video games and board games,

Dislikes: Judgemental people, snow, phone calls, flying and being in the sun.

Dona Swanger, Kitchen Manager

pizza@westobeer.com

Dona spent many summer days at her grandparents’ lake house on West Okoboji before eventually moving to the Lakes Area to be closer to family. After rising through the ranks of the local restaurant industry for the last 15 years, she joined the West O Beer team in the fall of 2024 and made an immediate impact. Her imaginative culinary creations are on full display during multi-course food and beer pairing dinners held in The Loft — one of her many ingenious additions to our regular taproom offerings. Be sure to sign up for the next one. You don’t want to miss it!

Fun Fact: Halloween is Dona’s favorite holiday. She loves metal core and death core. Her happy place is front row head-banging and two-stepping at her favorite bands’ concerts. She has more band tees than she can count (well over 300).

Likes: Her two cats (Winston and Stewart), pumpkin spice, being an aunt, going on road trips, and nerding out with her boyfriend playing video games and board games,

Dislikes: Judgemental people, snow, phone calls, flying and being in the sun.

Matt Heinrichs, Marketing/Events Manager

marketing@westobeer.com

Matt’s Okoboji roots run deep. He was born and raised in northwest Iowa and spent many childhood days in his grandfather’s boat chasing fish throughout the Okoboji chain of lakes. He spent 15 years as an award-winning reporter and photographer at publications in Iowa and South Dakota. While serving as the sports editor of a local newspaper in the spring of 2018, Matt began working part-time at West O Beer as the company’s Social Media Manager. In 2025, Matt was promoted to his current position, where he helps manage and implement the company’s social media presence, marketing strategy, website and special events.

Fun Fact: Matt is a turkey hunting fanatic and travels to several states each spring to chase his favorite game bird. He hopes to someday harvest a turkey in all 49 states they inhabit.

Likes: Hot coffee. Cold beer. Dry boots.

Dislikes: Littering. Leaky waders. Beer snobs.

Favorite Beer: DOPPEL BOCK™

Matt Heinrichs, Marketing/Events Manager

marketing@westobeer.com

Matt’s Okoboji roots run deep. He was born and raised in northwest Iowa and spent many childhood days in his grandfather’s boat chasing fish throughout the Okoboji chain of lakes. He spent 15 years as an award-winning reporter and photographer at publications in Iowa and South Dakota. While serving as the sports editor of a local newspaper in the spring of 2018, Matt began working part-time at West O Beer as the company’s Social Media Manager. In 2025, Matt was promoted to his current position, where he helps manage and implement the company’s social media presence, marketing strategy, website and special events.

Fun Fact: Matt is a turkey hunting fanatic and travels to several states each spring to chase his favorite game bird. He hopes to someday harvest a turkey in all 49 states they inhabit.

Likes: Hot coffee. Cold beer. Dry boots.

Dislikes: Littering. Leaky waders. Beer snobs.

Favorite Beer: DOPPEL BOCK™

Gabe Hoover, Assistant Brewer

Gabe moved to the Lakes Area in 2018 from Nederland, Colorado. During his time in Colorado, he developed a passion for craft beer and decided to turn that into a career. While in Colorado, he attended Front Range Community College for an A.A. degree with a focus in economics. Gabe’s other passions include skiing, hiking and anything outdoors.

Fun Fact: Gabe grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. Left Arizona to follow his family who moved to Colorado. While in Colorado he worked at El Dora Ski Area as a snow maker for 5 years.

Likes: Skiing, hiking, coffee, beer, and spending time with his wife and dog.

Dislikes: Heat, sweating in general, and freezing rain.

Favorite Beer: HOLY L™

Gabe Hoover, Assistant Brewer

Gabe moved to the Lakes Area in 2018 from Nederland, Colorado. During his time in Colorado, he developed a passion for craft beer and decided to turn that into a career. While in Colorado, he attended Front Range Community College for an A.A. degree with a focus in economics. Gabe’s other passions include skiing, hiking and anything outdoors.

Fun Fact: Gabe grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. Left Arizona to follow his family who moved to Colorado. While in Colorado he worked at El Dora Ski Area as a snow maker for 5 years.

Likes: Skiing, hiking, coffee, beer, and spending time with his wife and dog.

Dislikes: Heat, sweating in general, and freezing rain.

Favorite Beer: HOLY L™

Wanna join our family? We saved a stool for you.