ALUMNI PROFILE BRITTANY MERRILL YENG ’ 09 , MS ’ 10
Raise a Glass : Co-founders
Brittany Merrill Yeng ’ 09 , MS ’ 10 , and Steve Yeng , named Skrewball Whiskey after the unconventional , vibrant and diverse community they found in Ocean Beach , California .
FOR THE LOVE OF PEANUT BUTTER
Skrewball Whiskey takes on an American classic .
BY MICHELLE FRANKLIN
W hen Brittany Merrill Yeng ’ 09 , MS ’ 10 , and her husband , Steve Yeng , were expecting their first child , they began to reevaluate their careers . Brittany , a patent litigation lawyer , and Steve , a successful San Diego restaurateur , knew their busy lifestyles weren ’ t going to favor a traditional work – life balance . “ We were happiest when we were working together and wanted a project that combined the best of both of us ,” says Brittany . “ That ’ s how Skrewball Whiskey was born .”
Steve , a Cambodian-born refugee and polio survivor , arrived in the United States as a child . It was in his newfound home of Ocean Beach , California , where he was first introduced to peanut butter , or as he calls it , “ the taste of freedom .”
In 2008 , he opened OB Noodle House , and created a popular peanut butter whiskey cocktail . Steve and Brittany were high school sweethearts and worked together at the restaurant while she studied chemistry at UC San Diego .
Her degree came in handy when taking his signature cocktail and transforming it into a bottled version . “ As an entrepreneur , I am constantly looking for new ways to attack an issue . Unfortunately , the solution is often incremental change , rather than one sweeping change ,” she says .
While their new project would allow them to spend more time together as a family , and share something new and exciting with others , it wasn ’ t always welcomed . “ Some people thought we were ruining their whiskey ,” says Brittany . “ While others said we were ruining their peanut butter . We were the ultimate underdog in the liquor industry .”
Shortly after its debut in 2018 , Skrewball received Double Gold in the flavored whiskey category in the 2018 and 2019 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition . In 2019 , it was named Gold Medal Whiskey at the 2019 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition . More recent accolades include Double Gold in the 2021 SIP Awards , and being named the 2020 Impact “ Hot Brand ” Award winner and “ Best New Product ” at the 2020 Market Watch Leader Awards .
“ Each person faces unique challenges as an entrepreneur ,” says Brittany . “ I may not be able to change the world but hopefully I can change the minds of some of the people I interact with . And encourage others to break free from tradition and try something new .”
46 FALL 2022