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Larry and Jerry Rolison – Ye Olde Brothers Brewery – The Faces of Gulf Breeze and Navarre

About our Nominees

Larry and Jerry Rolison are two very intelligent men that happen to be brothers. Engineers by trade, they helped build up our wonderful communities. They have lived in the area for over 40 years. Larry spent some time in the Navy. They started out with a successful business, BGL Sources Company, their own company. The business specialized in electrical panels and did a lot of work with Holley/Navarre water.

Ye Olde Brothers Brewery started out with brewing beer. When looking at their business plan, they realized that it would be beneficial and easier to serve food as well as beer. As a result, they opened up on April Fool’s day in 2015, specializing in pizza. They made it all homemade and continue to do so today. Surprisingly, 95% of their menu is made from scratch.

In 2017, BBQ was introduced to the restaurant as well. The brothers smoke turkey, pork, brisket, wings, and poultry. They have also developed 18 types of beer, and continue to create more unique flavors consistently. Not only alcoholic beer, they also make homemade root beer as well. Ye Olde Brothers won 2nd place in last year’s wing cook-off competition. Not only do they have wonderful food and beer, they also put their electrical engineering experience to use in their business. The entire brewery is automated now as well as the smokers!

We had the treat of trying out their food, and let me tell you, it was amazing! This is a must-try restaurant.

 

Q & A

Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career/owning your business?

Our love of beer is where it all started. We decided that it would be fun to open up a brewery and make our own new unique flavors of beer. After looking at the legalities, we realized that a brew/pub was the way to go, serving food as well as beer.

 

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Navarre?

We came back in the 60s and helped build up Crestview. The electrical panels that you see there, we put there. We even helped out at Eglin AFB as far as electrical work goes.

 

Q: Who is the most interesting person/business owner you’ve met here in Gulf Breeze/Navarre?  Who would you like to see nominated as a Face of Gulf Breeze/Navarre?

Mr. Robert Raez at Stripes. He’s prior military and runs a fantastic business. His employees love him too. Robert is the first person to be able to come in and make that establishment actually work. Many have come and gone, but he made it work.

 

Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people starting their own business?

Do your research. Especially in the restaurant business. 90% fail within the first year and it’s a difficult business to get into. Sometimes you hire 6 people and end up keeping 3. There can be quite the turnover. Also, again, research. You must have the proper vendors, management, and employees. You can’t do it yourself. It takes good employees to make a successful business.

 

Q: What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic about (or what is most iconic in) Gulf Breeze/Navarre?

Dave’s Oyster Bar, him and his wife are a beautiful couple. It’s been a fantastic restaurant for over 18 years. I remember going when it was in the strip mall. They have the best oysters in town. The menu is fantastic and they even do crayfish boils.

 

Q: Where do you see yourself (and your career/business) in 5 or 10 years?

Busting at the seems hopefully. We want to continue to grow and maybe even have a second location. Another goal is to someday distribute the unique beer we make.

 

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Gulf Breeze/Navarre, and what do you love there? (What is your favorite dish, and where do you get it?)

I would have to say Stripes or Johnny Houstons. At Stripes the meatloaf is amazing. When I go to Johnny Houston’s, the Bangin Shrimp is always a go-to.

 

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?  And why?

 We just love our fishing property off War Basin Road so much. We can’t wait to clear it all out and be there as often as we can. If we had our way, that’s what we would do with most of our time. 

 

Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?

The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston. 

 

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

We would love to just retire and spend our time fishing. Also, we want to Finish our 10BBl Brewing System. 

 

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Gulf Breeze/Navarre?

Probably our beautiful beaches. They are still somewhat quiet and secluded.

 

Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch?  Why?

We would love to have lunch with Donald Trump. 

 

Q: What is your favorite music or 3 bands that you would love to see live?

Elton John, Johnny Horton, and Hank Williams would be amazing to see!

 

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

Larry: I’m a veteran and we both highly support the military. Also, the fact that we helped build up Crestview so much and working at the radar site out at Eglin AFB, site C6.

Jerry: I practice Taoism. 

 

Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

We think of Grandma, Mama, and Daddy. 

 

Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?

We would choose Pat Morita. 

 

Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?

Jerry would choose a Taoist Monk Teacher. 

 

Go check out the wonderful atmosphere and food at Ye Olde Brothers Brewery! Don’t forget to try the craft beer and homemade root beer!

 

Address: 4458 FL-87, Navarre, FL 32566

Phone: (850) 684-1495

Menu: Click here!

Brew List: Click Here!

 

 

Be sure to check out what our other nominees had to say!

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