WESTFIELD, NJ — When Lions Roar Brewing Co. began looking for a new owner, Maddie Bowen was not originally planning to buy the Westfield brewery.
She was simply doing what she had done for years — giving tours, answering questions and helping run the business she had been part of since before it opened.
Then something changed.
As Bowen met with potential buyers interested in taking over Lions Roar, she realized she was not ready to hand the brewery over to someone else.
"I just got territorial and thought to myself, 'Why not me? This already feels like mine,'" Bowen said.
Find out what's happening in Westfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The previous owners agreed to the idea, and Bowen, who was Lions Roar's first employee and has managed the brewery since before it opened, officially became the owner.
"To say I love this place is an understatement," Bowen said. "I was the first employee and have been the only full-time employee to this day."
For customers who have spent time at Lions Roar, Bowen said the brewery will continue to feel familiar while also evolving under her ownership.
"It's the same brewery everyone knows and loves, just getting better every day," Bowen said.
Bowen said many of the events customers already know, including live music, trivia and karaoke, will continue. She also plans to build on the brewery's existing brand with new offerings, more events and additional partnerships with other local businesses.
Lions Roar also completed a rebrand earlier this year, and Bowen said future changes will focus on improving what the brewery already offers.
One thing Bowen wants customers to know is that Lions Roar is not only a place for beer drinkers.
"A lot of people don't realize how much we already do offer," Bowen said. "We have hard seltzers and teas we make in house, NA beer, mocktails, house made soda and more, so when people want to support us or come to an event, they don't need to like beer."
Please log in or sign up to comment.