*This is the one-hundred and sixteenth post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Copper State Brewing Company
313 Dousman St
Green Bay, WI 54303
(920) 489-8575
Visit date: 07/10/17
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
8 on tap.
2) How long operational?
Opened June 1, 2017.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Family owns Copper Rock Coffee Company, found a brewing space once Hinterland left.
4) Distribution?
In-house only for now. Bottling and canning lines exist in basement already.
5) What sets you apart?
Variety of people who come in, family-run atmosphere.
6) How did you get your name?
“It wasn’t taken (by other breweries).” “Classic, timeless, earthy, warm tones.”
Copper State Brewing Company in Green Bay, WI. All photos by Joe Powell for The Squeaky Curd.
As an engineer, I always have a soft-spot for breweries that have been started by my technically-minded peers. Head-brewer at the newly-opened Copper State Brewing Company, Jonathan, had been working as a mechanical engineer in the Twin Cities before getting roped into a new venture with the rest of this family.
CSBC has only been open a few weeks, but wouldn’t know it by the looks. The build-out from the old Hinterland space is complete and enveloping, with dark tones and heavy metals lightened by the airy, open feel of the bar and dining spaces.
Nooks and crannies allow for different feelings and moods in different spaces, almost like a home. Considering all owners of CSBC are members of the same family, that makes a little sense.
The beer is more well-rounded than anticipated for such a young brewery as well. That could be in due part to a condition of the sale of the building: Jonathan was allowed to apprentice with Hinterland for seven months before they moved out.
One Cent Wheat
A rounded, musty, unfiltered Wheat. Hints of orange and lemon zest tease the senses.
Kupfer Kolsch
Crisp, with a yeasty bite but a classic Kolsch body.
Northwestern Alt
Malt-forward but friendly to all comers. Bready, with grain notes abounding.
Bare Brick IPA
A great gateway IPA; present bitterness mellowed by subtle grapefruit and blackberry.
Silent Canary Double IPA
A cornucopia of flavors: from raspberry to sugarcane and syrup. A lasting, satisfying burn.
Platinum Coffee Blonde
An odd experience with your eyes open; like a Cream Ale steeped in cold brew coffee.
Wake Up Call Black Coffee IPA
Leans heavily Porter, but hoppiness does break through.
Nitro Porter
Smooth, subtle, satisfying, traditional.
As nice as the inside has been remodeled, the outdoor patio space is where the shine comes from.
Jonathan’s sister and brother-in-law own Copper Rock Coffee Company, which was really the driving force behind starting up Copper State. The coffee shop is also located within the brewery, with collaborations undoubtedly occurring.
The food was delectable, with the lunch menu provided by Copper Rock and dinner menu by Copper State. As the main kitchen ramps up, be on the lookout for more new dishes from the brewery kitchen.
Though Copper State Brewing Company may be new on the Green Bay brewery scene, the family-run atmosphere, impressive beers, and renovated space make it seem like an old stand-by already.