Entrepreneurship, Community & Craft Beer in Woodstock with Carl Bloomfield

For nearly three decades, Carl Bloomfield has been one of the familiar faces helping keep Woodstock safe. But outside the fire hall, he helped build something else that has become part of the city's identity. Upper Thames Brewing Company started as an idea between friends who loved craft beer. Today it has grown into one of Oxford County's most recognizable breweries, the Brickhouse Brewpub at Sally Creek, and now its newest expansion, The Cabin. This conversation isn't just about beer. It's about growing up in Woodstock, building businesses with purpose, taking risks, creating community, and why success often comes from solving problems—not chasing money. Carl shares stories from more than 32 years with the Woodstock Fire Department, what firefighting has taught him about leadership and staying calm under pressure, the early days of Upper Thames Brewing, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and why supporting local has always been at the centre of everything they do. If you've ever wondered how one local business became such a community fixture—or why Brickhouse succeeded where others struggled—this episode tells that story. In this episode: Growing up in Woodstock during the 1980s and 90s Thirty-two years as a Woodstock firefighter Leadership under pressure The birth of Upper Thames Brewing Company Finding the right Brewmaster How craft beer changed Ontario Opening Brickhouse Brewpub Why community matters more than marketing Supporting local charities and organizations The future of Upper Thames and The Cabin CrossFit, Hyrox and staying healthy after 50 About Carl Bloomfield: Carl Bloomfield is a Captain with the Woodstock Fire Department and co-founder of Upper Thames Brewing Company. Alongside business partner Mo Morris, Carl helped launch one of Oxford County's first modern craft breweries in 2016 before expanding with Brickhouse Brewpub at Sally Creek and the upcoming Cabin restaurant. Throughout his career, he has remained deeply involved in supporting Woodstock charities, sports organizations and community initiatives while balancing entrepreneurship with more than three decades of public service. If you enjoy conversations about Woodstock, local business, entrepreneurship and the people shaping our community, subscribe for more episodes of This is Woodstock. Socials:   / the_hoppy_life_     / upperthamesbrewing     / brickhousebrewpub   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Growing up in Woodstock 05:25 Becoming a firefighter at 19 09:30 How firefighting has changed 11:15 Fitness, CrossFit & Hyrox 18:20 Lessons from 32 years on the fire department 22:45 The idea behind Upper Thames Brewing 28:30 What makes craft beer different? 34:00 Following beer trends & non-alcoholic drinks 40:00 Why Brickhouse Brewpub worked 47:15 Introducing The Cabin 53:50 Entrepreneurship, community & giving back 57:45 Final thoughts