our roots make us who we are.

Red Clay Brewing Company is a brewery and taproom located in downtown Opelika, Alabama. Three key individuals founded our business: Kerry McGinnis, Stephen Harle and John Corbin. Each of us brings a unique set of skills to the Company dictated primarily by our varied educational and personal backgrounds.

Red Clay Brewing has its roots firmly entrenched in the South. The founders of the Company were all born and raised here. The “red clay” that is native to this region of the south and what we all knew so well growing up became a natural moniker for our business. Red Clay Brewing simply represents us: our history and the South we love and call home. Opelika is a Muskogee word meaning Big Swamp, and this became the inspiration for one of our first beers: Big Swamp Stout. Another one of our beers, Hop Jubilee, is inspired by the late night “jubilee’s” we attended of the eastern shore of Mobile Bay.

Meet the Team

  • Kerry McGinnis

    Kerry is the Founder, Owner, and Head of Brewing and Manufacturing at Red Clay. He takes care of our production and distribution. Kerry is also a Navy and Army Veteran. He graduated from Auburn University and has a Bachelors degree in Biological Systems Engineering.

  • John Corbin

    John is the Founder, Owner, and Head of Marketing and Sales. He takes care of Managing Tasting room, sales, Marketing and promotions. He is a graduate of Faulkner State culinary arts, and Auburn University's Hotel and Restaurant Management Program.

  • Stephen Harle

    Founder, owner, and Head of finances; Stephen takes care of Financials, Taxes, and reporting both to the TTB, and the ABC. He is a graduate of Ole Miss in accounting.

  • Craig Collins

    Craig is a full-time brewer and Plant Manager at Red Clay. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama-Huntsville with a BA in Rhetorical Criticism. Craig has been working with the brewery since it opened in 2015.

  • Marty Malfroid

    Marty is the Taproom and Event Manager at Red Clay. A Michigan native, Marty is the newest addition to the Red Clay Team. He is a graduate of Michigan State University in Music Performance, and holds a masters from Western Michigan University. He is excited to call Opelika and Red Clay his new home!