Fort Monroe History
Fort Monroe sits on a point of land known as Old Point Comfort at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton Roads, Virginia. This key area influenced our country's story from the beginning and served as a strategic defensive site for more than four centuries. The fort's last military mission as the US Army's Headquarters for Training and Doctrine Command ended with its decommissioning in 2011.
We're honored to continue discovering Fort Monroe, learning from its failures and triumphs, and telling its stories today.
The Oozlefinch backstory…
One night in 1905, Captain H.M. Merriam (while quite possibly under the influence of our favorite beverage) swore he saw a strange, large-eyed bird outside the Fort Monroe Officers' Club. His outlandish tale quickly spread throughout the community, and the bizarre creature later became the mascot of the club.
Merriam's fellow officers dubbed the bird the "Oozlefinch" and placed a figurine of its likeness on a shelf behind the bar. The Oozlefinch rose to mythic status on Fort Monroe and regular sightings reportedly occurred.
Today our brewery bears the name of the Oozlefinch, drawing inspiration from its legendary status, the celebration of good times with friends, and the traditions of Fort Monroe.
And if you're lucky, you just may catch a glimpse of the infamous bird yourself.
Meet Our People
Russel Tinsley, Founder | CEO | Head Brewer
Originally from East Tennessee, Russel’s path to Hampton Roads began with his service in the Navy, eventually bringing him to the area where he met his wife, Rebekah. After joining the Newport News Police Department in 2008, he served for eight years as both a police officer and narcotics detective while also continuing his time in the Navy Reserves. During this time he began pursuing a growing passion for craft beer through homebrewing. That passion turned into reality when he opened Oozlefinch in 2016. Today, as Founder, CEO, and Head Brewer, Russ continues to lead the brewery’s vision while staying hands-on in the creative process behind the beer.
At Oozlefinch, Russ is driven by a mix of ambition, curiosity, and a desire to do things differently—constantly refining processes, exploring the science behind brewing, and pushing for innovation in every batch. Just as important to him is the people behind it all, taking genuine care of his team while building something that leaves a lasting mark on both the industry and the community it serves. Outside of the brewery, life revolves around family-time with his wife and their three kids. He stays active coaching his boys’ baseball teams, diving into his passion for baseball card collecting (even hosting his own stream on WhatNot), bass fishing, forging knives, and serving on two local boards.
Lee Russell, COO
Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Lee’s journey eventually brought him to Hampton Roads where he attended Phoebus High School, and where he now once again calls Hampton home. Following in his father’s footsteps, he joined the Navy after graduation, launching him into a long and accomplished career of service. Along the way, Lee built a diverse professional background—serving in the Army National Guard, earning his M.B.A., teaching entrepreneurship at Saint Joseph’s University and working as a technology consultant, and holding roles in public service which included time as a councilman as well as a contracting officer with the Department of Veterans Affairs. After multiple deployments and decades of service, he retired from the military in 2024 and the VA in 2025.
Drawn by a passion for craft beer and the sense of community it creates, Lee found his way to Oozlefinch as his next chapter. He values the opportunity to connect with others in a welcoming, local setting—something that aligns closely with his lifelong commitment to service and community. Outside of the brewery, Lee enjoys spending time on the water with his wife, Christine, and their family, whether that’s kayaking, boating, fishing, or sailing.
Tim Labbe, Sales Manager
Bio coming soon!
Rebekah Tinsley, Taproom & Events Manager
Born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, Rebekah has always called Hampton Roads home. Before joining Oozlefinch full-time, she earned her degree in and spent nearly 12 years working as an American Sign Language interpreter in local schools—a role that may seem worlds away from craft beer, but still comes in handy when connecting with guests in the taproom. Having been part of the brewery’s journey alongside Russ since its inception in 2012, stepping into a full-time role felt like a natural next chapter and an opportunity to help shape Oozlefinch’s growth from the inside.
At Oozlefinch, it’s the people and sense of place that stand out most—from the tight-knit staff to the regulars who make the taproom feel like home, all set against the unique backdrop of Fort Monroe. While her favorite beer is always changing—ranging from crisp Nost lagers, to frozen Boozy Sodas, to bold barrel-aged pours—she’s most drawn to what craft beer brings beyond the glass: a space for community, connection, and shared experiences. Outside of the brewery, family life revolves around three young kids, and making any quiet, restful day off a perfect one!
Erek Jones, Artist / Designer
Erek (aka “Stachesquatch”) is no stranger to Virginia—born & raised in Chesapeake and now calling Richmond home for the last 15+ years. He received a degree in communication arts with a particular area of interest being realistic illustration. Although his art style might make that seem an unlikely interest, he loved honing his realistic art skills so that the same subject could then be made into something unrealistic but appear natural! Outside of art, Erek enjoys playing soccer, riding his bike, watching soccer, reading sci-fi, talking soccer....did he mention soccer? And if he’s not enjoying a beer with friends you’ll find him spending time with his girlfriend & cat.
How it All Began
While our story has been years in the making, our goal has remained unchanged: make good beer, and enjoy it with good people.
Founder/owner Russel Tinsley first began dreaming in 2010 of one day opening his own brewery. After reading a book by Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione and visiting the Rehoboth Beach brewpub, Russel realized his love for craft beer was more than a casual interest. He set out to learn everything possible about the brewing process, and he and his wife Rebekah started the journey of building a brewery that blended their vision of history, innovation, and community.
Fort Monroe, Virginia, a recently decommissioned military base rich in American history, soon became the ideal setting for the future brewery's home. After years of tireless dedication from a hardworking team (and some, blood, sweat, and tears along the way), Oozlefinch Beers & Blending finally opened its doors to the public on September 3, 2016.
But we haven't stopped dreaming.
We hope Oozlefinch becomes a place where creativity and excellence are pursued, time-honored traditions endure, and new stories are told.