Basement to Brewery: 9 Homebrewers to Watch As They Go Commercial
Photo via KCBC
Comparing the list of the top breweries today to 10 years ago, it’s clear there has been a changing of the guard, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise. With new breweries popping up, and old breweries looking to expand to meet the demand of all us neckbeards, the bar is constantly being set a little higher. But let’s pause and think back to that time 10 years ago when there were no breweries like Hill Farmstead or Toppling Goliath, back when these brewers were homebrewers, learning to perfect their craft so that, one day, all of us could experience their creations. Now we look to usher in a new class of homebrewers looking to make that transition. While their locations and styles may vary, they all have the same goal in mind; producing quality beer for all of us to enjoy, one day.
3 Sons Brewing Company
Dania Beach, Florida
Background: For true neckbeards, it isn’t a surprise to see 3 Sons on this list. Led by co-founder and brewer Corey Artanis, 3 Sons has had a following within the craft beer community for a few years now. For many of us, we have continued to ask the same question over and over “when can we finally get 3 Sons’ beer.” Well 2016 is that year, as 3 Sons is targeting to open its doors in Dania by the end of this year. Like many homebrewers, Corey began homebrewing on a kit. What started as brewing beers for family events, as well as his own wedding, led Corey to offering his beers at local events, and eventually at Huna Day where he has brought home the gold for best beer and brewery the last two years running.
Beer Portfolio: While Corey has become known for his big three stouts, JBM 35, Lumberjack Morning Break, and Summation, the last few years he has been brewing at locations such as the Brewers Tasting Room, Brass Tap, and Cycle, allowing him to hone his skills and master a wide variety of styles. Most recently Corey released Boysen Tha Hood, a glistening red boysenberry sour that tastes like fresh jam.
Jukes Ale Works
Elkhorn, Nebraska
Background: Jukes Ale Works takes the phrase “family business” to another level. Founded by Kyle Jukes, his father Guy, and his brother Brad, Jukes is making a name for itself within the craft beer community. Kyle, who has been homebrewing for the last six years, has recently been gaining a lot of attention due to his barrel-aged stouts. Not many homebrewers can say one of their beers held its own amongst some of the best in its style, but Kyle can. For those of you like me who are fans of the site “Don’t Drink Beer” that was Kyle’s barrel-aged Vanilla Stout that held its own with beers like Derivation 2 from Side Project and Fundamental Observation from Bottle Logic in his blind barrel aged vanilla stout tasting. Look for Jukes in early 2017, when he will make an appearance at Nebraska’s Extreme Beer Fest.
Beer Portfolio: Jukes’ lineup doesn’t follow a particular theme; it’s all over the board. Kyle notes, “I’ve been told I need to brew the same beers over and over again but I like formulating new recipes to keep things interesting.” And that’s good for all of us. With a variety of styles ranging from IPAs like Ninja Juice (named by his son) to saisons like The Peche Node, to big barrel aged maple stouts like Oil, one thing remains consistent; Kyle is brewing some of the best beers out there—home or commercial level.
Marto Brewing
Sioux City, Iowa
Background: Founded by Erik Martin and his wife Rachael, Marto Brewing will be in downtown Sioux City in the spring of 2017. While Erik has only been homebrewing for five years, he has plenty of hardware to show for his effort, including multiple regional awards. This past year, Erik took home best beer at the Great Nebraska Beer Fest in Omaha for “Ticonic,” his sour blonde with raspberries. This bright red jammy delight is packed with over 50 lbs. of raspberries per barrel, making it a dream for any fan of fruited sours.
Beer Portfolio: The regular lineup will include a variety of styles. According to Erik, the variety is on purpose. “I like to have fun with beer names, but at the same time, I like to pay homage to a tradition or a local connection.” The homage he is referring to is his Loess Hills Farmhouse Series, which will feature saisons and tart sours aged in a wood barrel, tipping his cap to the Loess Hills of Western Iowa. All of the wild and sour beers in this series will be brewed with a mix of microbes collected in the Loess Hills by Erik himself. He likes to say the mix has reached a happy symbiosis.
Garagiste Meadery
Tampa Bay, Florida
Background: Founded by Chad Wiltz and his wife Sarah, Garagiste is quickly becoming a popular name for both craft beer and mead lovers. Chad, who began making mead as a hobby to enjoy for himself just two years ago quickly realized he had something special as festivals quickly began calling his name. Just a year later, Garagiste decided to make the push to open up to the public, launching a successful Indiegogo campaign this past March. While the location has not been locked down, Garagiste plans to open at the beginning of next year in the Tampa Bay area. Most recently Garagiste took home the gold at one of the largest mead competitions, Mead Free or Die with their Goober Grape 2.0.
Mead Portfolio: With Garagiste, Chad is looking to bring a farm to table experience with each of his meads. “Our honey is from local beekeepers. Our water is Florida spring water. To the extent possible the fruits we use are from local farms and often picked by ourselves or our children.” As far as themes for his meads, Garagiste takes the approach of a culinary standpoint, using relatable flavors like peanut butter and jelly, strawberry rhubarb pie, key lime pie and others. Chad notes that “most of our meads fall in the semi-sweet or even dry end of the spectrum and I think this catches people by surprise as well.”