When Hoover resident Will Mayhall walks into Brock’s Gap Brewing Company, the staff and regulars greet him by name, echoing the warm welcome of a neighborhood bar. Mayhall, his wife Erin Shonsey, and their children (ages 13 and 10) are among the many families that now consider the brewery a local “Cheers.” “It’s a great family place,” Shonsey says. “The staff is friendly, the kids can play outside, and there are games for them to enjoy. It feels like a getaway without leaving Hoover.”
From a Pandemic Vision to a Community Brewery
Two weeks after the pandemic began, Jamie Cato was teaching his son Carter how to ride a bike near the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium when a “For Sale” sign on a vacant parcel caught his eye. Though Cato had never worked in the beer industry, he imagined a brewery on that land. “I saw a brewery sitting on that piece of land,” he recalled, calling his business partner to seal the deal.
That vision materialized as Brock’s Gap Brewing Company, a family‑friendly brewery that blends craft beer with local heritage. “We make beer—really good beer—but what we really create is an experience,” Cato explains. “We want people to leave planning to come back.”
Honoring Hoover’s History
The brewery’s name honors the historic railroad cut through Shades Mountain in the 1870s, which once moved coal from the Cahaba fields to Birmingham’s furnaces. Throughout the taproom, subtle nods to that era appear on posters, décor, and a light fixture fashioned from a locomotive artifact. “We love Hoover, and we wanted every part of the brewery to reflect the history and community around us,” Cato says.
A Wide‑Ranging Beer Menu and Food Options
Since opening, Brock’s Gap has brewed more than 50 styles, including the popular Going, Going Blonde, Derailed IPA, Rock & Roll All Lite, and the dark Pitch Black IPA. The kitchen serves pizza, burgers, chicken wings, and rotating seasonal bites, giving patrons plenty of reasons to return.
More Than Just Drinks
The brewery has become a hub for community programming. Staff have hosted cooking classes, charcuterie workshops, sushi demonstrations, concerts, private events, and nonprofit fundraisers. To date, more than 50 private events have taken place on the premises. Cato emphasizes that rapid expansion is not the goal. “We’re not trying to become the biggest brewery in the Southeast; we just want to be a great community hub that people love and visit often,” he says.
Celebrating Hoover’s Diversity
Having grown up in an Army family, Cato values cultural variety and sees it reflected in Hoover’s residents. “Hoover is one of the most diverse communities I have ever lived in,” he notes. “Our customers come from all walks of life, and that makes the brewery a true gathering place for the city.”
City Support Strengthens the Vision
The brewery’s success is bolstered by strong collaboration with local officials. “The support from the city of Hoover has been incredible,” Cato says. City leaders have helped facilitate events and positioned the brewery as a venue for local commerce and community gatherings.
From a vacant lot to a bustling gathering place, Brock’s Gap Brewing Company now stands as a testament to Hoover’s entrepreneurial spirit, family values, and shared history. Whether you’re stopping by for a family‑friendly meal, a craft‑beer tasting, or a community event, the brewery offers a welcoming space where neighbors can connect and celebrate the city they call home.
Original reporting: Hoover Sun — read the source article.
