Lawrence Brewers Guild

Maybe I'm out of the loop but I read this today and was surprised that we have another brewery here in town. Anyone know more about these guys or seen their setup?

Hey Brick,
You haven't inspected any new brewery have you?

I have not reviewed any plans for a brewery other than free states bottling facility. I hope they understand that if they will need an building permit.

Looks like they are having a tasting at the Eagles Lodge on March 14th. Shane, has Bucky heard of these guys? Sounds like they have a link to Power Plant.

http://www.lawrence.com/events/2009/mar/14/30828/

Heath and Bucky used to work together at Power Plant and 23rd Street. Heath left 23rd Street a while back.

These are two really great guys who have the ambition to pull it off once they get their ducks in a row. I haven't tasted a lot of their beer, but with Heath's background and training, I think they're going to do great things. They've been dialing in a few recipes for some time now to get it perfect for a big launch into commercial brewing, and it sounds like they're really close.

Right now the operation is what you saw in the pictures seen in the article: a red "barn" toughshed with a walk-in cooler inside of it, with a custom 55-gallon stainless steel barrel brew sculpture (it's very pretty) and works quite well from what I've seen. They've been using this for a few months now to perfect their recipes, which they've brewed a LOT of for tasting events. They're doing the leg-work on their market research. And it sounds like there are some new developments regarding a space for the next stage of the brewery -- they've been looking for a while now -- but that's brand new news to me, so I'll have to get in touch with them to find out more.

I've been working with them pretty closely (building their website, etc), but my schedule hasn't let me attend any of their public tastings yet, but by all reports, they've gone very well. What I have tasted, however, shows incredible promise. These guys are legit.

Matt

I remember these guys. I always wondered why they never supported or were active in the LBG. Wish them luck. But Brick better be reviewing some brewery plans, or they will never get off the ground.

Blktre wrote:I always wondered why they never supported or were active in the LBG.

This was my initial thought, but I haven't been a member long enough to confirm it. I hope it isn't an ego thing. Technically, they are still homebrewers and are in the same league as we are. If they are open to doing a tasting at one of our meetings it would say a lot about the fan base they are trying to create here in town. There is a lot of experience in our group that shows in our brew, and I think our club is a valuable resource for feedback and constructive criticism.

meisel wrote:Technically, they are still homebrewers and are in the same league as we are. If they are open to doing a tasting at one of our meetings it would say a lot about the fan base they are trying to create here in town. There is a lot of experience in our group that shows in our brew, and I think our club is a valuable resource for feedback and constructive criticism.

Here Here! Well spoken Lee.

I probably wouldn't make the meeting, but these gentlemen should definitely be approached by the LBG. If anything, they could provide some encouraging words on moving from the garage, to the barn to a licensed and fully operating brewery (almost).
Besides, it's not fair that only Matt has sampled their brews.

Bill wrote:
If anything, they could provide some encouraging words on moving from the garage, to the barn to a licensed and fully operating brewery (almost).

Dude, if Brick hasn't seen any plans, they are WAY far away from reality.

You guys are funny. Heath brought 23rd st beer to the brewfest in 2007. He was Buckys assistant replacing Adrian. A flub of a basic recipe at 23rd (which turned out to be delicious, employees named it termination) caused his change in vocation. He was planning the Barnyard brand prior to this event. Background on Heath is his attendance of the Seibel course in Munich. The guy makes good beer.
Cheers
Chuck

fergmeister wrote: The guy makes good beer.
Cheers
Chuck

I'm sure he does. But good beer isn't where this thread ended up at. All I asked is "why" and Lee answered it best. That and answering a few questions on where they are at in distribution. Again, I wish them luck. It would be a another Homebrewer gone Pro success story. But I also feel there are a few LBG members that could do the same exact thing if they could because their beer is good as well.

The why is mainly because they were working on their own stuff. I just spoke with Heath and got an invite to visit. I returned the invite with an invite to the next LBG meeting and he responded Yes. So everyone can meetand greet 3/12.

The big Batch Sparger
Chuck

fergmeister wrote: The big Batch Sparger
Chuck

That's nothing to brag about.

Assho