Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
Jason Van Keuren
Owner - Brewer
Past positions, successes and/or unique qualities:
- US Navy veteran
- 5 years’ experience home brewing on small scale professional brew system
Educational background:
- Cicerone Certified Beer Server – 2019
- Business of Craft Beer Professional Certificate – University of Vermont (UVM) 2020
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification – Feb 2022
- Colorado Boy Brewery Immersion Hands-on Course – Mar 2022
- Master’s Degree Computer and Information Security – Western Governor’s University (WGU) 2014
Biography:
- Jason grew up in the suburbs near Allentown, Pennsylvania. In 1994, immediately after graduating high school, Jason enlisted in the US Navy where he spent 6 years working for the Navy Intelligence division as a computer security expert. It was at a Navy base in Europe where Jason got his first taste for craft beer. From there he travelled internationally, always tasting the local beer of each country he visited. In 2000, Jason was honorably discharged from the Navy and moved back to the Philadelphia area, where he continued working in computer security. While working a full-time job, he completed both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Information Technology and Security.
- In 2017, Jason began brewing beer as a hobby with his neighbor. For Jason this hobby soon turned into a passion. VK Brewing was born! His single propane burner system evolved into a multi-vessel electric system he built from the ground up. His basement was converted into a small brewery, with an eight-tap kegerator he made from a chest freezer. On Halloween, you can find Jason in the driveway handing out candy to the children on one side, and serving his latest beers to the grown ups from his home-made, two-tap jockey box on the other side.
- In 2020, Jason completed a six-month Business of Craft Beer Professional certificate program from the University of Vermont. He also passed the Certified Beer Server exam in the Cicerone certification program. Jason continues to research and learn more about making beer and the brewing industry. He delves into the technical aspects of brewing beer, and he is constantly learning and refining his techniques and equipment used in the brewing process. Jason especially loves the satisfaction he gets from creating a beverage that not only he enjoys, but is also enjoyed by others. It is a passion where Jason strives to make the perfect pint that appeals to everyone’s taste. VK Brewing was born in the basement and is enjoyed by his family and friends. Jason wants to start a brewpub so he can share his beer with more people, serving pints of happiness through his passion for making great beer.
- In 2021, Jason and Najib met at a small neighborhood gathering where Jason was serving his beer. Najib had recently sold his pizzeria business, which he successfully ran for 15 years, and was looking to start another restaurant. They hit it off immediately and a spark ignited for the two to work together to create a brewery, taproom, and restaurant. Great beer and great food make a great combination! Both Jason and Najib are meticulous about their craft, and will bring the highest quality beer and food, literally, to the table. Their goal is to create a family-friendly environment, a home away from home, where people can gather and enjoy a hand-crafted beer paired perfectly with a delicious meal.
- In March of 2022, Jason traveled to Colorado Boy Brewery in Montrose, Colorado, with his business partner Najib to attend a 3-day, one-on-one, hands-on brewery immersion course. The course went through all aspects of owning and running a brewery and restaurant, teaching the successful business processes and daily procedures that have been developed by the owner, who has successfully started six breweries along with several restaurants over many years in business. The class topics ranged from brewing beer and cleaning kegs, to bookkeeping, business systems, brewery layout and design, and calculating and tracking sales goals and targets. The owners reviewed Jason and Najib’s specific business plans and goals, and gave specific advice on how best to implement a successful operation. Jason and Najib even got to brew a production batch of beer on their 7-barrel brew system from start to finish. This was an immensely valuable session for both business partners.
Najib Abiaad
Owner - Chef
Past positions, successes and/or unique qualities:
- 15 years owned and operated successful Caln Pizza & Pasta pizzeria in Downingtown, PA – 2006 – 2021
- Co-founder and business partner of Urban Air indoor adventure park in Trexlertown, PA – 2020 to present
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification – 2019
- Colorado Boy Brewery Immersion Hands-on Course – Mar 2022
Biography:
- Najib grew up in the Pocono area where he spent his childhood and adolescence in a kitchen surrounded by his family cooking. His passion for cooking stems from his Lebanese roots and the long line of chefs on both sides of his family. His grandfather was selected to cook for the Rockefeller family when they visited the Middle East; and his mother ran and cooked in restaurants for years. He spent a lot of time at his uncle's bar/restaurant, watching and learning. That is where Najib got his first taste of the restaurant industry.
- At the age of seventeen, Najib left his home to become an apprentice in the pizza industry and by the age of twenty became a co-owner of his first pizzeria with his uncle. For the next fifteen years, he dedicated his life to building a successful business and becoming a pillar in his community. This was accomplished through sponsoring local sports teams, hosting community events, and donating to local causes.
- In 2009, Najib met his wife Jenna and almost instantly started teaching her the ropes of the restaurant world. Jenna stood by Najib’s side learning the business and working with him, while raising their two children. She also knows what it takes to create and sustain a successful business.
- In 2020, Najib faced an uncertain time, with the COVID pandemic. He faced it head on increasing revenue by 25%, making sure his employees kept their jobs, and ensuring that customers felt comfortable ordering out. The business remained open to serve the community. Prior to the pandemic, Najib signed a lease to open a business called Urban Air Indoor Adventure Park. He and his partners faced the difficulties of opening a business during a pandemic and had to shut down for some time due to the state mandates. They were able to navigate communicating with their landlord and outside vendors, which enabled them to open the park only three months behind schedule. A year later, they are thriving and consistently in the top ten performing franchises in the country. Najib helps manage 170 employees and keep a 65,000 square foot building running smoothly.
- In 2021, Najib made the difficult decision to walk away from his partnership at the pizzeria. While he loved the work, he knew it was time to move on. He shifted his attention to helping run Urban Air. However, he felt that something was missing. A few months ago, he decided to take a step back from the everyday grind of Urban Air and look for an opportunity to return to his roots, to the kitchen. The power of the universe brought Jason and Najib together and he could not feel more confident about this business. He brings the knowledge and skills needed to not only run a business, but also a food business.
- In March of 2022, Najib travelled to Colorado Boy Brewery in Montrose, Colorado, with his business partner Jason to attend a 3-day, one-on-one, hands-on brewery immersion course. The course went through all aspects of owning and running a brewery and restaurant, teaching the successful business processes and daily procedures that have been developed by the owner, who has successfully started six breweries along with several restaurants over many years in business. The class topics ranged from brewing beer and cleaning kegs, to bookkeeping, business systems, brewery layout and design, and calculating and tracking sales goals and targets. The owners reviewed Jason and Najib’s specific business plans and goals, and gave specific advice on how best to implement a successful operation. Jason and Najib even got to brew a production batch of beer on their 7-barrel brew system from start to finish. This was an immensely valuable session for both business partners.
