*This is the twentieth post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Knuth Brewing Company. All photos by Joe Powell.
Knuth Brewing Company
221 Watson St
Ripon, WI 54971
(920) 748-5188
Visit date: 08/21/15
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
3 on draft, 5 total brewed
2) How long operational?
April 2015
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Wanted to create a part of the local community. Home-brewer for 5 years, has experience in restaurant business.
4) Distribution?
Growlers to go. Current system too small to support further distribution yet.
5) What sets you apart?
“We’re brewing good beer for ourselves and others to drink. Classic beers with good ingredients.” They also feature great food.
6) How did you get your name?
“That’s an easy one, it’s my last name.”
Ripon, WI is certainly off the beaten path, though known for its local college. But thanks to husband/wife duo Dave and Marie, this small town recently added a brewery and restaurant to their quaint main street that’s generating a lot of local buzz.
Knuth Brewing Company (KBC) was unexpected: the split-building has a bar and small brewing area on one side while the other features a bustling walk-up counter restaurant. The ambiance, efficiency, and quality of food gave no indication that they only opened 4 months ago. Dave has been in the restaurant business for some time, but it was his father-in-law’s gift of a brewing kit that led to the creation of KBC.
Two delicious sides to every story.
We tried their generously-portioned hummus appetizer and the Dave’s Fave pizza, both delicious pairings to our beers (though I did discover I’m allergic to portabella mushrooms. Thanks Benadryl!).
I don’t often let plates tell me what to do, but I made an exception.
Dave opened the restaurant as a launch pad for the beer, which he brews in a half-barrel system in back. It’s extremely small-batch, but he’s hoping to expand it soon. We were lucky to get a sample of three of his house brews, though the bar also stocks other respectable Wisconsin micros.
The whole brewing operation.
Honey Wheat
Very sweet, with definite honey notes. Delicious.
American Pale Ale (APA)
Slight hop, great malty-amber finish. I got another pint of this after.
Coffee Stout
Rich coffee taste, but definitely drinkable.
All three really deserved a whole pint.
When asked, “Why in Ripon?”, Dave stated he wanted to create a community gathering space; he hopes his work and passion can be a positive force in the local community. I was impressed with Knuth Brewing Company’s beer, food, and operation. I have no doubt they’ll be drawing more visitors to their small town.
The Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour mantra.