The History

Why are you called Tiger Town?

There is an old saying around here. When legend becomes greater than truth, print the legend.

The legend goes that a freighter wagon hauling whiskey broke a wheel right in this canyon. Fearing looters, the driver did not leave. Instead, he pulled a sideboard off the wagon, laid it across two whiskey barrels, and opened the very first saloon in the area. The wagon happened to be a Mitchell (the Cadillac of wagons back then) and the name stuck. If you want the dry, boring version, go check Wikipedia.

As loggers, miners, and ranchers flooded into the narrow Bridge Creek valley, Main Street turned into a notoriously rough and tumble strip. At its peak, it packed five rowdy saloons and a brothel. The locals dubbed this wild side of the tracks Tiger Town. Meanwhile, the respectable folks built their churches on the cliffs above, earning the nickname Piety Hill.

The miners and working girls are long gone, but the cattle ranchers are still here. We named Tiger Town Brewing Co. as a direct nod to that gritty, colorful history.

Are you guys actually from here?

We get this question a lot, usually accompanied by wide eyed disbelief. But yes, some people really do grow up in towns this small.

Tiger Town is owned and operated by two partners who wanted to breathe life back into a piece of local history.

Black and white photo of a rural landscape with mountains in the background, a few houses, and a fence along a small stream. The photo is labeled 'Made for City Drug Store, Mitchell, Oreg.'
Old black and white photo of a large wooden house with five men standing in front of it. The house is weathered, with peeling paint, and is set in a snowy landscape with mountains in the background.

Meet the Team

  • A man with curly blonde hair, blue sunglasses, and a blue suit sitting at a table in an empty auditorium with red floral-patterned chairs.

    Shawn Hawkins

    FOUNDER
    The “Outsider”

    Shawn Hawkins is one of the co-founders of Tiger Town Brewing Company.

    Born in Portland and raised in McMinnville, Oregon, Shawn moved to Mitchell in 2011. Shortly after arriving, he discovered a passion for homebrewing, spending years developing hundreds of batches and dozens of original recipes. In 2014, that passion evolved into a vision when Shawn and longtime friend and musical collaborator Robert set out to transform the town’s historic service station into the brewpub that became Tiger Town Brewing Company.

    Today, Shawn serves as Tiger Town’s General Manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations while helping shape the guest experience, menu, events, and overall direction of the business. Although his focus has shifted from brewing to managing the restaurant, his passion for craft beer, hospitality, and building community remains at the heart of Tiger Town.

    A Marine Corps veteran, Shawn spent years as a professional musician before co-founding Tiger Town, and he continues to perform throughout the Pacific Northwest. Whether he’s managing the brewery, organizing community events, or fronting one of his bands, he believes great food, great beer, and great music have a way of bringing people together.

  • A man with a beard and curly hair smiling, wearing sunglasses on his head and a striped shirt, leaning out of a small opening in a wall, holding a small bird in his gloved hands.

    Robert Cannon

    Founder
    The “Local”

    Robert Cannon is a fifth-generation Mitchell resident whose family has been part of the community for generations. Tiger Town Brewing Company is housed in the historic Cannon family building, originally operated as Cannon’s Tire Center by Robert’s grandfather. When the tire business moved to its current highway location in 1969, the original building sat vacant for decades until Robert helped transform it into the home of Tiger Town Brewing Company.

    As Tiger Town’s Facilities Manager, Robert oversees the maintenance, improvement, and ongoing development of the property, ensuring the brewery continues to grow while preserving the character of one of Mitchell’s historic landmarks.

    Outside of Tiger Town, Robert is an accomplished singer-songwriter and recording artist whose music has earned a loyal following throughout the Northwest. He continues to write, record, and perform regularly, sharing the stage with Shawn and other musicians at venues and festivals across the region.

  • Man with a beard wearing a baseball cap and patterned shirt sitting at a cluttered wooden table in a workshop or studio, reading a book or magazine, with art supplies and containers on the table, and wooden walls and ceiling in the background.

    Rex Kanode

    Brewmaster

    Rex Kanode grew up in Sundance, Wyoming, and started homebrewing while attending the University of Wyoming in 2017. His brewing journey brought him to Tiger Town Brewing Company as an intern in 2021, followed by a season brewing at Snowy Range Ski Area before returning to Mitchell in 2022.

    As Brewmaster, Rex oversees the creation of Tiger Town’s beers, drawing inspiration from both traditional brewing styles and the adventurous spirit of the American craft beer scene. His favorites are crisp lagers and fresh-hop Northwest IPAs, but he’s always looking for the next great pint.

    When he’s not brewing, you’ll find him fly fishing, skiing, riding motorcycles, or talking beer science with anyone willing to listen.

    From grain to glass, Rex brings the same dedication and craftsmanship to every batch that has helped make Tiger Town Brewing a destination for beer lovers visiting the Painted Hills and Eastern Oregon.