Wooly Pig Farm Brewery

Wooly Pig Farm Brewery is a craft brewery located on a 90-acre working farm in east central Ohio, overlooking the Tuscarawas River. Founded by brewmaster Kevin Ely and his wife Jael Malenke, the brewery blends old-world German brewing traditions with a strong connection to the land, family, and local community. The operation is housed in a converted 1899 barn on a historic property that spent over 150 years in the hands of the Norman family, who used it for sheep herding, dairy farming, and crop cultivation.

The brewery draws its water from a farm well originally developed by the Norman family, grounding its production in the natural resources of the property. On-site, a row of Saaz hops grows on 20-foot trellises between the brewery and the old farmhouse; these fresh hops are harvested each fall and incorporated into the lagering process for a seasonal beer offering. This farm-to-glass approach reflects the German tradition of integrating agriculture directly into the brewing process — a philosophy that Kevin Ely developed during travels through Northern Bavaria, where he refined both his palate and his technical brewing expertise.

The tasting room features rustic planks and hand-hewn beams salvaged from a collapsed outbuilding on the property, creating an atmosphere that honors the farm's deep history. The brewery's style leans on classic German lager and ale traditions, with techniques informed by Ely's immersive study of Bavarian brewing culture.

Integral to the operation is a herd of Mangalitsa pigs — a heritage breed of Hungarian origin known for their thick, curly coats and richly marbled meat prized for curing and charcuterie. These animals forage for hickory nuts on the farm's hillsides and serve a practical role in the brewery's closed-loop system by consuming spent grain from the brewing process. The farm also raises sheep, and all livestock are tended by Aaron Malenke, Jael's brother and co-owner, along with his wife Lauren, a veterinarian, who live off-the-grid on the northern edge of the property.

Wooly Pig Farm Brewery stands as a distinctive destination in the central Ohio craft beer landscape, combining a working farm, heritage livestock, on-site hop cultivation, and a deep commitment to German-inspired brewing craft. It is positioned as both a production brewery and a community gathering place, inviting visitors to experience the full context of where and how its beers are made.