Just about two years ago, I wrote my first blog. It has been an amazing period of my life getting to know so many people who are out and about in the Nebraska craft beer community. The fact that each time I go somewhere, I get to meet new people and sometimes even help to build connections!

I have known Nathan and his wife Jessi, who own First Street Brewing Company for a little over a year now. I always have a great time visiting with them whether in their taproom or at events. During a conservation with Nathan, I learned about his love of coffee and his espresso machine. Myself being a coffee guy also, I get excited learning about what types of coffee people like and how they like to drink it.

In the fall of 2018, some friends gave me a sample of a Bourbon barrel aged coffee they had. I fell in love with the coffee and had to find out more about it.

My friends gave me Carole’s contact information and we met. I told her that I was a craft beer blogger and was starting to do a few coffee reviews. We had a great conversation!

Carole explained to me the process that each batch of her Clout Coffee went through. I had many thoughts going through my mind, but the one the stuck out the most was, “I bet this coffee would be great in a beer!”

Bourbon flavor coffee and aroma without raising the ABV of the beer, now that is pretty intriguing! I had to give it a try. I took some of the brewed coffee and put into a milk stout I had just to see if any flavor would come through.

Yes, I know that is not how you would brew a beer with coffee. I just needed to confirm my suspicion. I was right! The beer had a wonderful flavor after adding the Clout Coffee!

Before too long, I had to ask Carole if she had talked to anyone about having them use Clout Coffee in a beer? At the time, the answer was no. So, I said wouldn’t it be fun to change that! I talked with Nathan also to see if there might be some interest. After introducing Nathan and Carole over a social media chat, they connected.

The result of this to me is awesome! I love to see local products come together. Whether it is using local hops, honey, coffee, or whatever it is fun to see connections built and the results of them.

The Popular Blonde with Clout Coffee was a hit during the release on Saturday, February 16 in Hastings, Nebraska! There were many people enjoying this great blonde ale.

I got a chance to talk to many of the people that were from Hastings, Lincoln, Hickman, Omaha, Kansas City, and others. Craft beer in Nebraska is not only connecting the people of our state together but it is helping all kinds of new businesses start and grow.

I believe our friends from out of state would agree “There is No Place Like Nebraska!”

Let’s Raise Glasses and Not Taxes and enjoy building connections.

Cheers!