Case Study: Burley Oak

The Story

Burley Oak Brewing Company has been a staple in Berlin, MD, since 2009, known for its handcrafted beers, community-driven spirit, and creative, laid-back atmosphere. Founded by Bryan Brushmiller, Burley Oak is more than just a brewery; it’s where locals gather, artists showcase their work, and craft beer lovers find something new with every visit. Burley Oak is a hub for a good time, from their historical space and passionate team to their constantly evolving tap list, live music nights, and community workshops.

However, while locals knew and loved Burley Oak, their online presence didn’t reflect their personality, creativity, or rich history. It lacked the color, energy, and details that make Burley Oak unique. They needed a website that felt as welcoming and dynamic as stepping into their taproom.

Our Journey

Creating a website that captured Burley Oak required an approach as unique as the brewery itself. 

“When we met Bryan and Nicole, it was clear they had a wholesome story to tell and a passion for serving their community. Our team had the incredible opportunity to visit the Burley Oak team on-site and learn more about the business. Our field trips to Burley quickly became one of our favorite parts of the week. The Burley Oak team has done an amazing job of creating an environment that feels as comfortable and easy as visiting a friend. 

The main goal for us was to create a website that embodied that same Burley vibe through exceptional design, photography, and videography, and showcase all the many things Burley Oak has to offer. I couldn’t be happier with how the website turned out. 

To me, it perfectly matches the established Burley Oak brand, and hopefully pulls more people from outside of the community to come check out all the Brushmiller’s have worked to build. I’m grateful to have had the unique opportunity to get to know Bryan, Nicole, and Natalie more and hear the story of how Burley Oak came to be straight from the source.”

 - Chase, D3 Project Manager

Now, let’s get into it! 

Website Structure & Redesign

Organization was key to balancing the different offerings at the brewery. We strategically structured the site with storytelling and functionality, making it easy for visitors to navigate and explore events, beers, and Burley’s growing brand.

Professional Media

Our multimedia team knocked it out of the park with creatively styled photoshoots and dynamic videos capturing the heart of Burley Oak. Right as you enter the website, you can’t miss the eye-catching visuals and background video of the beers and bartenders you love. 

Content Creation

While the drinks and reviews can speak for themselves, the D3 team loved getting to see the effort behind the brand while working on the site. Through storytelling and thoughtful content, we highlighted the faces behind the brewery, their passion for craft beer and spirits, and their deep roots in the Berlin, MD, community.

Interactive Features

The site now includes a custom events calendar, an integrated map to find Burley Oak products near you, detailed FAQs, and a dedicated section for Burley’s expansion into distilled spirits at The Cellar. Plus, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to share the love with a rotation of reviews from a variety of platforms, and the Untappd page for your convenience of having all of the beer lists on one site. 

“We enjoyed working with D3 and were very happy with their final product of our new website! They made everything happen that we asked for.”

- Nicole Brushmiller

Our design team had a blast bringing Burley Oak’s bold colors, quirky graphics, and fun-loving vibe to life online. And yes, our team made a few “research” visits to the brewery to make sure we truly captured their essence!