Local Breweries

[Brad]

You could add Patriot Homebrew in Elkhorn the the list. Pints of house-brewed beer available while you shop, plus growlers to go.
https://www.patriothomebrewsupply.com/beer-on-tap/

Will do, thanks!

[ChadJK]

I didn't see this one on the list of Nebraska breweries...

Kinkaider Brewing Co.
Broken Bow, Nebraska
https://www.kinkaider.com/

They have taprooms in Broken Bow, Grand Island, Lincoln, and Omaha.

[Brad]

I didn't see this one on the list of Nebraska breweries...

Kinkaider Brewing Co.
Broken Bow, Nebraska
https://www.kinkaider.com/

They have taprooms in Broken Bow, Grand Island, Lincoln, and Omaha.

How did I miss that? Brewery opened in 2015. I have been to the location in Grand Island many times.

[yman97]

Apparently the Thunderhead Tap Room on 132 is permanently closing after today.

What happened?

I heard they were focusing more attention on their Beers R Us stores? That was 3rd and information so who knows. AS far as I know the downtown location is staying open.

The downtown location is also closing. It is in the process of being converted to a Beer, Wine and Spirits. They are keeping all of the same employees.

[Brad]

Nebraska Beer Bracket, a 64-brewery tournament to crown the best beer in Nebraska.


https://sarahbakerhansen.com/beer/

Welcome to the Nebraska Beer Bracket, a 64-brewery tournament to crown the best beer in Nebraska.
On March 12, we revealed the first-round matchups in our beer bracket and opened the voting. We’ve seeded breweries from across the state, just like the NCAA basketball tournament bracket, and your vote will help choose who moves on.

First round voting begins at noon on March 13.

[ChadJK]

Nebraska Beer Bracket, a 64-brewery tournament to crown the best beer in Nebraska.


https://sarahbakerhansen.com/beer/

Welcome to the Nebraska Beer Bracket, a 64-brewery tournament to crown the best beer in Nebraska.
On March 12, we revealed the first-round matchups in our beer bracket and opened the voting. We’ve seeded breweries from across the state, just like the NCAA basketball tournament bracket, and your vote will help choose who moves on.

First round voting begins at noon on March 13.

I'm not sure Glacial Till Cidery belongs in there, but it's not my bracket challenge.

[TransitOriented]

I'm not sure Glacial Till Cidery belongs in there, but it's not my bracket challenge.

It's one of the largest breweries, by volume, in Nebraska. But perhaps they could have had a separate cider bracket.

[Coyote]

Nebraska's local breweries could increase self distribution to 5,000 barrels per year under new bill
There were five hours of testimony Monday, with local brewers and distributors pitted against each other

There were five hours of testimony Monday between Nebraska craft breweries and beer distributors. Brewers from across the state traveled to Lincoln saying they should be able to sell directly to bars and grocery stores. Advertisement
But beer industry lobbyists don't want to see it happen. In Nebraska, there's a middleman between beer and the table. Brewers are required to sell to a distributor who then sells their product to the larger market. Last year, legislation was passed to allow local breweries to self-distribute for the first time.

Sen. Tony Vargas wants to increase the limit on self-distribution from 250 to 5,000 barrels per year, a number that's still less than surrounding states. "I hate losing to Wyoming," Vargas said. "And Wyoming being at 30,000 barrels seems like we can do a bit better." One Lincoln brewer says the demand for his beer is greater than the current cap and the bill would allow him to offer his product to more people. "Two hundred fifty barrels basically allows us 645 gallons a month and we have one retail location in Omaha that order 95 gallons from us just in February. At that rate we can only sell to six retailers in the entire state and not to sell to any bars or restaurants without going over the 250-barrel cap," Corey Sinclair said.

But one attorney opposed to the bill believes legal precedent would show the proposal and even the current law is unfair. "In 2005 the United States Supreme Court struck down two different states laws, under the dormant commerce clause, laws that had allowed in state wineries to sell directly to consumers but prohibited out of state wineries from doing the same. Sound familiar? It should," Adam Barney said. No action was taken on the bill tonight. But Sen. Vargas says if it's passed, it will support local breweries, and thereby small businesses, across Nebraska. "When we talk about the depopulation in communities that are not in Lancaster, or in Sarpy or in Douglas county we need to make sure that we are growing communities as much as possible."

[Brad]

I'm not sure Glacial Till Cidery belongs in there, but it's not my bracket challenge.

It's one of the largest breweries, by volume, in Nebraska. But perhaps they could have had a separate cider bracket.

I agree it would be nice if they were separate, but seems like beer, cider and even seltzer are grouped together a lot. I even went to a "Brewery" in Colorado that only made seltzer... I was thoroughly disappointed to say the least...

I also don't think there are 64 "Beer Only" Breweries in Nebraska.

[Brad]

My take on Sarah's Bracket:

[ChadJK]

I didn't see it posted elsewhere on here, so here's the final result of SBH's Beer Bracket:

Kinkaider Brewing
Broken Bow, Nebraska

[Uffda]

I was told last night that infusion brewing is closing all but their southwest locations.

[Louie]

I was told last night that infusion brewing is closing all but their southwest locations.

So that would be the (now) Czech Inn and their restaurant/brewery in Benson?

[DasBoot]

I was told last night that infusion brewing is closing all but their southwest locations.

So that would be the (now) Czech Inn and their restaurant/brewery in Benson?

Czech Inn is not an Infusion location.

[nebugeater]

I was told last night that infusion brewing is closing all but their southwest locations.

Don't they only have two locations?

[Louie]

I was told last night that infusion brewing is closing all but their southwest locations.

So that would be the (now) Czech Inn and their restaurant/brewery in Benson?

Czech Inn is not an Infusion location.

Oh, I thought it was more of a rebrand for the locale. It's a sublease then?

[Uffda]

I was told last night that infusion brewing is closing all but their southwest locations.

Don't they only have two locations?

When I left 4 yrs ago they had one in Benson and one in SW Omaha. I have seen posts about this one - Infusion Brewing Company - Little Bohemia.

I was also told there will be a new brewery going into benson location.

[DasBoot]

I was told last night that infusion brewing is closing all but their southwest locations.

So that would be the (now) Czech Inn and their restaurant/brewery in Benson?

Czech Inn is not an Infusion location.

Oh, I thought it was more of a rebrand for the locale. It's a sublease then?

It is a rebrand without it being an exclusive Infusion tap room/bar. The owner who also owns Crescent Moon wanted it to be more of a neighborhood bar with more beer and drink options from what I understand.

[Louie]

I was told last night that infusion brewing is closing all but their southwest locations.

So that would be the (now) Czech Inn and their restaurant/brewery in Benson?

Czech Inn is not an Infusion location.

Oh, I thought it was more of a rebrand for the locale. It's a sublease then?

It is a rebrand without it being an exclusive Infusion tap room/bar. The owner who also owns Crescent Moon wanted it to be more of a neighborhood bar with more beer and drink options from what I understand.

I see, I figured Bill still owned it and ran it.

[Ben]

I was told last night that infusion brewing is closing all but their southwest locations.

I know of plans underway for someone to purchase the original Infusion location (Benson) and open a new brewery there. They have prior affiliation with Bill / Infusion. I will post additional info once received if given permission.

[Brad]

I was told last night that infusion brewing is closing all but their southwest locations.

I know of plans underway for someone to purchase the original Infusion location (Benson) and open a new brewery there. They have prior affiliation with Bill / Infusion. I will post additional info once received if given permission.

I wonder if Aaron, the original Brewer at infusion, is going to open his own place? That would be awesome. I haven’t seen him at the Pint for a bit so I’m not sure what he’s up to?

[Uffda]

I was told last night that infusion brewing is closing all but their southwest locations.

I know of plans underway for someone to purchase the original Infusion location (Benson) and open a new brewery there. They have prior affiliation with Bill / Infusion. I will post additional info once received if given permission.

I wonder if Aaron, the original Brewer at infusion, is going to open his own place? That would be awesome. I haven’t seen him at the Pint for a bit so I’m not sure what he’s up to?

Hmmmm ….. could be …. But I didn’t hear it from him.

[Brad]

I was told last night that infusion brewing is closing all but their southwest locations.

I know of plans underway for someone to purchase the original Infusion location (Benson) and open a new brewery there. They have prior affiliation with Bill / Infusion. I will post additional info once received if given permission.

I wonder if Aaron, the original Brewer at infusion, is going to open his own place? That would be awesome. I haven’t seen him at the Pint for a bit so I’m not sure what he’s up to?

Hmmmm ….. could be …. But I didn’t hear it from him.

I hope so, when Aaron was there and they had those "Ice Box Series" of beers, they were so good.

[TransitOriented]

[thenewguy]

hopefully they don't alter recipes. Brickway is good, but lucky bucket is good the way that it is, IMO

[TransitOriented]

hopefully they don't alter recipes. Brickway is good, but lucky bucket is good the way that it is, IMO

You know Zach, the guy in the blue shirt that started Brickway, started Lucky Bucket, right?

[Habits76]

Do people still drink Lucky Bucket? This place hasn't been on my radar in years. There are so many more (better) brewery's in the metro.

So, are they going to continue brewing Lucky Bucket or is this just allowing more space to brew and distill Brickway beers and spirits?

[Stan]

Do people still drink Lucky Bucket? This place hasn't been on my radar in years. There are so many more (better) brewery's in the metro.

So, are they going to continue brewing Lucky Bucket or is this just allowing more space to brew and distill Brickway beers and spirits?

I agree with this completely. I can't remember the last time I drank lucky bucket. I'd probably buy Modelo before I'd buy Lucky Bucket lager.

[Brad]

Do people still drink Lucky Bucket? This place hasn't been on my radar in years. There are so many more (better) brewery's in the metro.

We had a holiday party there a couple years ago and it wasn't very good. The place was dirty too. Probably the last time I had a Lucky Bucket beer. I really liked certified evil and then even that beer went downhill.

This KETV story says they are going to close Lucky Bucket in about 30-45 and remodel it. Want to make it a better experience. They want to make it good again and even better than it was. They are also going to switch from bottles to cans, which is long over due.

https://www.ketv.com/article/brickway-b ... o/44258590#

This is great news.

[thenewguy]

hopefully they don't alter recipes. Brickway is good, but lucky bucket is good the way that it is, IMO

You know Zach, the guy in the blue shirt that started Brickway, started Lucky Bucket, right?

no, i didn't know that. but we had some there a few years ago (maybe 5 or 6?) and i thought it was pretty decent. Admittedly, i haven't had it in a little while, so that's unfortunate if they have gone down hill.

[Brad]

Unfortunately Bootlegger Brewing is closing... Super cool location in the sandhills.

[Brad]

Brewery 719

Brewery 719 opens in Alliance, Nebraska today!

http://brewery719.com

Last night Brewery 719 basically said "Support Us or we are closing". If things to get better soon, they will be closed in one month.

[nativeomahan]

Nothing like using the direct approach. My guess is they will be closed by autumn,

[Brad]

Last night Brewery 719 basically said "Support Us or we are closing". If things to get better soon, they will be closed in one month.

Apparently the "warning" helped. Brewery 719 had the best week in their history.

[ChadJK]

It seems to me many of the Nebraska breweries don't do well getting distributed. Consequently, they rely heavily on people visiting the brewery's tasting room for revenue. How many local beers do you see on tap in most bars? I'm not counting those beer bars with 75 beers on tap. I'm talking your average privately-owned Nebraska bar? Maybe they have Infusion Vanilla Bean Blonde, Kros Strain Fairy Nectar, or maybe Kinkaider's seasonal. That's about it. It's not a great showing or representation considering there are 60+ breweries in the state all with multiple beers. Heck, you used to find Lucky Bucket on tap all over the place and the last several years nobody seems to have it. Bottles and cans at liquor stores are a little easier to find, but similarly, I feel like it's always the same half dozen breweries on the shelf. So, for most breweries, running a successful brewery is all about running a successful taproom. So, if your brewery is in small town Nebraska you really need to be one of the most popular bars (and possibly also restaurants) in town to stay open.

[NEDodger]

Last night Brewery 719 basically said "Support Us or we are closing". If things to get better soon, they will be closed in one month.

Apparently the "warning" helped. Brewery 719 had the best week in their history.

Yeah, but how sustainable is that? You can’t run a business on a continual cry of wolf.

[bigredmed1]

They sure don't reach out to places like Too Far North in Ft C. They sell Neb wine, but also Neb beer and struggle to get local beers. One would think that sending them a keg or two would be a good seller.

Of course, marketing has never been the strong suite here. Ten competitors make nasty IPA? Maybe I should make one with more hops? The first local place that can get under the carb/calories level of Guinness (and really, it might as well be called a light beer given it's carb/calories) will get my support. Especially when you sell it in Ft C like the brewers in Scottsbluff and other outstate locations seem able to do.

[TransitOriented]

A brewery in the middle of nowhere, Alliance NE, with a population of 8000. Bud Light has the worst experience ever this year. They should have made a light lager with a clever name and sponsored a party series in Liang Park. Movies in the park every Tuesday, get a food truck in there and sell the light lager at a good price.

[nativeomahan]

I’m not a huge beer drinker. I never was. But when I do order beer at a restaurant or bar I almost always go with some sort of craft beer. Lighter shandies and wheat beers in spring and summer, the Octoberfest specialty type beers in autumn and full flavored beers in winter. Well, a Guinness here and there as well. What pi$$ed me off a few weeks ago was when I visited a popular mid town sports type restaurant/bar with friends, the place had Michelob Ultra and other mass produced beers priced $2.50 less per draw than Blue Moon and the few other craft beers on their beer menu. I opted to save myself $5 and have 2 Ultras.

[Brad]

What pi$$ed me off a few weeks ago was when I visited a popular mid town sports type restaurant/bar with friends, the place had Michelob Ultra and other mass produced beers priced $2.50 less per draw than Blue Moon and the few other craft beers on their beer menu.

Blue Moon is not Craft. Its owned by MillerCoors... There are plenty of Craft Belgian White Ales out there, but Blue Moon isn't one of them.