Episode 66: Montclair Brewery

We speak with Denise Ford Sawadogo and her husband Leo Sawadogo. In the last year, they launched Montclair Brewery on Walnut Street here in Montclair. Leo has a lifetime of experience brewing beer with his family in his home in the West of Africa. Leo’s background also includes being a creator and owner of a small, trendy bar and restaurant for 8 years, in his hometown of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in West Africa. Leo’s background also includes being a radio personality and journalist at one of the first FM stations in his hometown. 

 

His wife, Denise, has degrees in fashion, merchandising and marketing so she keeps busy in both her day job as a marketing pro and then gets out the word on brewing and runs the business side of the brewery on nights and weekends and every other moment that she isn't mothering her active, sports-loving son. Their business on Walnut Street has quickly become a sort of living room to many Montclairons, who bring their laptop and a sandwich to eat while sipping a brew, working remotely or just talking to neighbors.