Fourth Thursday at White Lion: Meet Ray Berry

Ray Berry, owner and operator of White Lion Brewing Co. of Springfield, Mass.

‍In May, our evening networking event will take place on the fourth Thursday of the month, May 28, from 5:30-7:30pm at White Lion Brewing Co. in Springfield, Mass. We are looking forward to coming together for an evening of good sips and great company at the inner-city brewery. In anticipation of the event, we chatted with White Lion’s owner, operator and creative visionary, Ray Berry.

Raymond Berry is from Springfield but has relocated to the neighboring town of East Longmeadow in recent years. He began producing craft beer as White Lion Brewing Co. in 2014 when he recognized a demand for craft beer in Hampden County. In 2020, he opened his space on Main Street in Springfield.

“We represent the good that the region has to offer,” said Berry. “As a stakeholder, we proactively participate in conversations about the future of the community, and strive to enhance the spaces and places we all work, play and live in.”

When asked where the imagery of the White Lion came from, Berry explained that a white lion is “a symbol of good for humankind and an extension beyond race, color, creed or gender,” in his words. He has always wanted his space to be inviting for all.

Last summer, Berry debuted “Pridelands on Mane Street,” a beer garden destination for drink connoisseurs. Envision a unique space where delicious brews are served from reimagined and refurbished shipping containers. The space is dynamic and offers a reprieve from the bustle of downtown with a well-maintained lawn and patio seating. Accessible and atmospheric, this space is ideal for a variety of events, so visitors can expect cigar vendor pop-ups, food trucks, live music and more, all summer long.

“Pridelands is the second chapter of our beer garden experience in Springfield,” explained Berry. “Before the pandemic, we partnered with the Business Improvement District and other stakeholders. A lot of people look forward to outdoor offerings. We see it as an extension of our taproom and bar, and it affords us an opportunity to touch new consumers. This year those same partnerships will reignite the space.”

Taste tests for his product rely on the knowledge and tastebuds of his own trusted team. His favorite brew is the Best Score 81 Golden Ale, but the Marcus Camby New England IPA, named for the local basketball legend, is certainly the brewery’s most popular beverage.

“Newer beers are often fruit forward,” said Berry as he discussed the current trends and direction of the craft beer industry. “Several team members will huddle together and sample potential product for flavors like that, but we defer to our head brewer for conventional beers like lagers and pilsners.”

In their main brewery, there is a full kitchen. This allows White Lion to offer an elevated bar menu day to day, and a catering menu for special events and gatherings. Due to growing demand, their mobile fleet has doubled within the last few years.

They have previously partnered with many businesses from Greater Springfield, including but not limited to the Springfield Republican, Well Fleet, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Spirit of Springfield, Explore Western Mass, the Springfield Museums, MGM Casino, ENTRE Technologies and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

The best piece of career advice that Berry has ever received came to him while he was working with our region’s chapter of United Way. He was building out White Lion’s business model. As the project gained traction, a local business owner offered Berry sage counsel.

“He said, ‘It will be hard for people to take your business seriously if you have one foot in your full-time job and one in White Lion,’” Berry recounted. “He told me that I will eventually have to make a decision, and I did.”

Twelve years, two locations and two mobile units later, Berry has a larger-than-life reputation in the beverage industry that extends beyond Western Massachusetts. He was featured in a commercial by the Massachusetts Office on Travel and Tourism for their “Made Possible” campaign launched by Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. This debuted at the Governor’s Convention on Travel and Tourism hosted at the MassMutual Center in March of 2025.

Berry stated that the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield played a key role in White Lion’s infancy.

“We had tremendous support from YPS,” he said, “and they really helped to shape and launch our brand. Though the faces and decision makers have changed over the years, we always have and always will remain loyal to the organization and the difference it makes in our region.”

Berry says that attendees can look forward to beverage specials on the day of the event. Register yourself and your team at SpringfieldYPS.com today and join us as we raise a glass to the beginning of summer and the start of new professional connections.

The change in our usual date this month was made minding the Springfield Regional Chamber’s Fire & Ice cocktail event at Marriott Springfield Downtown on Thursday, May 21, from 4-6:30pm. You can find more information about this event and register at SpringfieldRegionalChamber.com.