Kim Kavulak and her homebrewer husband, Paul, opened Nebraska Brewing Firm within the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska in 2007, a yr earlier than the recession hit. Nevertheless, not solely did the brewery show to be recession-proof, however so profitable that they opened a second taproom in La Vista in 2014.

If one brewery has outlined Nebraska beer, it’s the Kavulaks’ endeavor. Again in 2007, Nebraska Brewing was certainly one of 5 breweries working in all the state; greater than a decade later, the state boasts greater than 50, both in manufacturing or planning.

Kim does every little thing besides brew the beer – her enterprise card actually reads “Chick That Makes Sh*t Occur” – and he or she’s develop into a paradigm for ladies becoming a member of the state’s craft beer business. In 2019, Nebraska lastly welcomed a chapter of the worldwide Pink Boots Society, a company that empowers girls within the beer enterprise.

“It’s thrilling to see girls who assume they’ll do it and are doing it,” Kavulak mentioned.

In 2007, Kim Kavulak and her husband opened Nebraska Brewing Firm. — Picture courtesy of Connor Kavulak

Lately, she has seen that an enormous bump in breweries is occurring in huge cities, like Omaha, and within the capital metropolis of Lincoln, but additionally in different elements of the state.

“The agricultural areas are popping up and saying, ‘Hey, there’s a necessity for craft beer right here; I’m going to open a brewery,’” she defined, “and their mannequin is, ‘I’m going to make beer right here for my city,’ and it’s working for them.”

Nebraska Brewing has gone robust because the starting. Their flagship beers have received coveted medals on the World Beer Championship, together with in 2010, once they weren’t even producing 1,000 barrels a yr.

“We had been standing on the stage with Ommegang,” she mentioned. “It put us on the map to the extent of, ‘Hey, let’s take note of what’s occurring in Nebraska.’ I believe if we will all make beer at that stage, that’s vital for the business in our state, as a result of that begets different issues within the state, like journey and tourism, and all of these issues which can be vital. We get to be part of that development.”

Nebraska Brewing was one of many first breweries to open in Nebraska — Picture courtesy of Go to Omaha

Their beers (and seltzers) cater to those that aren’t into craft beer or to beer drinkers who don’t need to drink palate crushers. When requested if a sure sort of beer defines Nebraska beer, Kavulak talked about their Cardinal American pale ale, impressed by Sierra Nevada’s pale ale.

“For me, once we discuss beer and the way we make beer and the way we’ve shared our message to new breweries and to most of the people, [it’s] that it doesn’t matter what type we make, we make it very true to type,” she mentioned. “We had been advised by one other brewery early on to principally dumb down our beers, as a result of craft beer was so new to Nebraska that individuals would by no means drink an IPA. So, it was vital to us to not try this, as a result of when individuals go to Portland or Colorado or some other beer mecca, it’s vital to maintain beers true to type.”

Nebraska beer is so particular, it’s price touring to the Cornhusker State to drink it. Kavulak mentioned she desires Nebraska Brewing to “get again to these roots of considering outdoors the field” and “construct on that core base.” Kavulak makes use of the phrase “co-op-a-tetion” to explain the way in which different native breweries share the identical buyer base; they aren’t rivals.

When Kavulak’s not busy being “the chick that makes stuff occur,” she tries to go to breweries inside and out of doors of her neighborhood. Listed here are 4 that she recommends.

Scriptown Brewing – Omaha

Scriptown Brewing was named after Omaha’s first subdivision — Picture courtesy of Go to Omaha

John and Debbie Fahrer and Scott Stephens opened Scriptown in 2012. The brewery’s namesake comes from Omaha’s Scriptown, town’s first subdivision.

“They’re within the Blackstone District,” Kavulak mentioned. “They’re making some stable beers – they began off with some very nice core-style and small-batch stuff, which is enjoyable.”

Traditional beer Yotus IPA is brewed with Nebraskan-grown hops, and Ups and Downs is a espresso beer in collaboration with Omaha’s Archetype Espresso.

Friends Brewing Firm – North Platte

“It’s means out within the western a part of the state, in North Platte,” Kavulak mentioned. “They’re doing a little actually enjoyable beers. They did a crème brûlée beer for the beer fest. I like them so much, too.”

Co-owner Paul “Pal” Oettinger opened the beer oasis in 2015. Situated 4 hours west of Omaha on 2 acres, Friends’ yard comprises cornhole video games, dog-friendly picnic tables and a “mattress and brew” rental referred to as McNeil Home. All of those social actions encourage their motto: “Come as strangers, go away as friends.”

The beers encompass IPAs, fruit beers, spicy ones (Jalapeno Cream Ale), lagers and extra. Whereas consuming beer, friends may also take pleasure in appetizers like cheese curds and pizza “fries” (pizza crust topped with garlic butter and mozzarella), in addition to a number of quesadillas and pizzas.

Vis Main Brewing Co. – Omaha

In 2017, Tom and Lindsey Clements opened Vis Main, located in Omaha. In Latin, Vis Main means “act of God.” They brew a little bit bit of each sort of beer, together with a watermelon gose, a single-hop IPA, and a raspberry hibiscus saison. Pair the beer with their beer corridor meals menu (stuffed pretzels!) and cocktails.

Kavulak likes that Vis Main is a “neighborhood-style brewery.” “You’re seeing much more of that with the proliferation of breweries – that persons are making their neighborhood brewery their watering gap. Vis Main, I believe, is one – that’s their method. They need to be your neighborhood brewery. Folks go the place they’re snug and drink what they’re snug with. It’s extra of that loyalty feeling right here.”

Cosmic Eye Brewing – Lincoln

Kavulak doesn’t get to Lincoln a lot (about an hour southwest from Omaha), however when she does, she likes to go to Cosmic Eye Brewing.

“Sam Riggins is a former brewer of ours who left to kind his personal brewery. He’s obtained a extremely cool vibe occurring and a few actually nice beers,” she mentioned.

Riggins and his spouse, Michelle, opened Cosmic Eye in 2018, inside a former laser tag middle. Lots of the 20-plus beers on faucet have fantasy-themed names, like Every little thing Has Eyes NE IPA, Unlock the Time Dragon IPA, Laser Quest 2.0 ale and Gaze of the Basilisk black lager. In addition they make a bloody Mary combine mixed with beer, and for individuals who prefer to punish themselves, get a shot of Malort.