Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
As the year 2020 began, I was so excited to see the momentum continue with craft beer across my great state of Nebraska. Personally, I was planning road trips, events and trying to figure out how to make the best of each trip, getting to see all of the friends I have made at the breweries across our state.
Then the pandemic hit and cast its dark cloud of fear across our state, nation, and the world. The news of a deadly virus forced unprecedented measures to buy time to figure out how to combat it. It was like a bad dream thinking I will wake up at any time, and things will be back to normal. But unfortunately, our new normal is sticking around longer than anyone would like.
Foremost in 2020, I know we mourn for the families that have lost love ones this year. It is always a tragedy to lose someone, especially to an illness. Secondly, this has been a stressful year for so many trying to figure out how to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads. I can’t imagine difficult it is having to worry about those two fundamental things in our life.
I know this year for every brewery has pushed many to the edge, wondering about survival. There were so many factors like the ongoing changes in policy during the pandemic, the shortage of materials at times, and the fear of keeping people safe as they came into your establishments.
Takeout options became a necessity
Hwy 14 Brewing hand cans pints
It was also a year that changed how beer was consumed. With many breweries only available for carryout options, having some means to distribute like growlers or crowlers became huge!
This summer, I made it to Hwy 14 Brewing in Albion, Nebraska. The owner Greg Luettel told me that they had to quickly develop a carryout option to get the beer out the door. There was no time for planning any sort of canning line. Greg said they got a manual canner and started canning 16 oz. beers to sell.
Making drives to pickup local craft beer became at least a once a month activity
This year for the breweries became the year for new means to get your product out. I never thought I would see the day that breweries would be making personal drops in other cities and even delivering beer right to your door!
This was a year where support local was more important than ever. I remember being in a socially distanced line at the southwest location of Infusion Brewing Company. That night I saw people carrying as many growlers as they possibly could —happy patrons, so glad that new beer releases were still happening.
Even though you couldn’t stay for a pint at that time, it was so good to see people being able to get Nebraska Craft Beer.
The one thing that never changes is the friendly people running the breweries in our state. This year I got to meet some new friends on a few trips.
Rodney Keim has an awesome brewery called Brush Creek Brewing and a pizza pub in Atkinson, Nebraska. A very cool place in North Central Nebraska. Rodney introduced me to a new beer style on my visit called a Smash Ale which is a single hop and single malt ale. So flavorful! Speaking of flavor, what one thing goes the best with craft beer besides another craft beer - pizza! Rodney has you covered with some of the best pizza you will find in the state!
Jeremy Kirby has been brewing some incredible beer in Norfolk, Nebraska at Divots Brewery. I think it was right after the 4th of July that I met Jeremy and learned about Divots Brewery. So many great beers he is brewing. I was glad I could bring home some crowlers. The brewery is part of the Divots Convention Center with a hotel and restaurant. Rumor has it you can get crowlers delivered to your room! I think Divots could be my home away from home!
Over the past couple of years, Bryon Belding has made a big splash with craft beer and cider in Beatrice, Nebraska! Stone Hollow Brewing is in the historic Mercantile Building in Beatrice. The building atmosphere is incredible, with a view of the brewing area on the lower level. Bryon has a wide variety of beer and cider always on tap that keeps me right in the taproom wanting to try more! This establishment's beauty is that it is an indoor entertainment center so you can take your beer and go shopping in the many cool shops. There is even a speakeasy in the lower level called The Mechanical Room.
I always look forward to going out and see good friends in their breweries!
Jim Stutzman has a beautiful ranch outside of Ohiowa, Nebraska that he turned into Lazy Horse Brewing and Winery. Getting to visit Jim is like getting to visit the brother I never had! It is always so fun to see what Jim is brewing! The patio at Lazy Horse has to be one of the most relaxing places on this earth! Jim knows me so well. If his Breakfast Stout is on tap, he always pours me one!
Lea Watson from Pint Nine Brewing always has a smile on her face and a passion for her customers. I love talking to Lea about everything going on at Pint Nine, especially the upcoming charities they are working with. Her husband James and his partner Denny brew so many great beers, including IPAs, Saisons, and stouts!
Nathan Hoeft and his wife Jessi not only bless Hastings with good beer, but they also bless it with being great members of the community. I love stopping into First Street Brewing for a visit and a pint! I remember the first beer I ever had from First Street was Bapajack’s Biere De Garde, and it was so unique. I was hooked on Nathan’s creativity! The hospitality at First Street is always top-notch.
Brian Hoesing is a busy man juggling his daytime job, family, and brewing for Catalyst Brewing in Lincoln, Nebraska. I spent an afternoon this year as Brian was busy brewing Carl For President Lager. Brian had been homebrewing for many years before joining 5168 Brewing that is now Catalyst Brewing. His brews are phenomenal. The best coconut porter I have ever had is his Hawaiian Porter!
Not pictured are Paul and Kim Kavulak from Nebraska Brewing Company. One of the longest-running breweries in the state, Nebraska Brewing has done so much, helping to grow the Nebraska craft beer community. Most of the time, I seem to stop on a weeknight. I bet I am usually catching Paul and Kim at the end of their day when they are ready to go home; however, they always grab a table, and we catch up on all things craft beer. When I am at home and open one of their barrel-aged beers, I am blown away by how well-balanced the beer and barrel have been married together!
Last but not least (not pictured) is John Fahrer from Scriptown Brewing. I consider John to be the Godfather of brewing knowledge in our state. Getting to visit with John is always an amazing experience! John is so passionate about every last detail of making traditional craft beer styles. His stories of travels to Germany and everything he has experienced during his life as a homebrewer, craft beer judge, and owner of a brewery are so enlightening! This fall, I was blown away by all of the German-style beers that John had to offer.
Some of Joe’s Favorites Beers in 2020
It is always difficult to pick your top 2 or 3 beers in each category. They are listed in no particular order. Here we go!
Lagers
Ranchero Mexican Lager - Divots Brewery
Gold Lager - Zipline Brewing
Lil Boh Czech Pils - Infusion Brewing
Pale Ales
Cardinal Pale Ale - Nebraska Brewing Company
4-County Pale Ale - Kinkaider Brewing
Rule Breaker - Brush Creek Brewing
IPAS
If This Be Treason - Vis Major Brewing
False Idol - Pint Nine Brewing
Juice and Desist - Kros Strain Brewing
German Style
Fest Helles - Scriptown Brewing
Oktoberfest - Stone Hollow Brewing
Helles Bock - Thunderhead Brewing
Brown Ales
Nut Brown - Zipline Brewing
Oso Cafe - Pint Nine Brewing
Big Lebrownski - Pint Nine Brewing
Porters
Hawaiian Porter - Catalyst Brewing
Long Route Peanut Butter Porter - Empyrean Brewing Company
Smore Now - Hwy 14 Brewing
STOUTS
Mother of All Bettys - Nebraska Brewing Company
Max’s Addiction - Infusion Brewing Company
Breakfast Coffee Stout - Lazy Horse Brewing and Winery
Miscellaneous
Misguided Angel Belgian Tripel - Divots Brewery
Ebenezer Barrel-Aged Winter Brew - Upstream Brewing
CinnaBOMB - Winter Ale - Stone Hollow Brewing
Your Argument Is Invalid Imperial Stout - Thunderhead Brewing
A special thanks to Pint Nine Brewing for making a dream of mine come true! My very own stout called Joe’s Storyteller Stout.
This was an incredible experience from the label design that my son created to the final product! I learned so much about what it takes to create a craft beer from formulating the recipe to the beer's actual brewing.
Then there is getting the label approved, which I had no idea what breweries had to go through for that! In the end, I thank all of those who were able to try this coffee stout and were as excited as me!
This has been one year like no other! I am so thankful for all of the breweries’ support and look forward to writing the stories of 2021.
Cheers!