Case Study: Backward Flag opens its taproom and grows a community-driven brewery with Kinnek

Profile of Backward Flag, a craft brewery in New Jersey raising the flag for female brewers everywhere

Backward Flag Brewing Company, founded by Torie Fisher, is an independent New Jersey microbrewery led by a female brewer, aviation veteran, and full-time mom. Torie and her husband wanted to bring craft beer and community together but faced the challenge of launching a business while balancing full-time jobs, family obligations, limited capital, and the prohibitive costs of a full-service restaurant.

They pivoted to a scalable microbrewery model with guidance from SCORE, raised capital, and used Kinnek for equipment and ongoing support. The taproom opened in September 2015, their community-focused beers (like “Stakeout Beer”) proved popular, and the brand has grown into a local hub — with Torie mentoring other female brewers and crediting Kinnek’s service as instrumental to their launch and early success.

Backward Flag

Torie Fisher

Owner