<![CDATA[Second Chapter Brewing - Stories]]>Fri, 16 Oct 2026 07:24:45 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[Books & Brews 2026]]>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 06:00:00 GMThttp://secondchapterbrewing.com/blog/books-brews-2026
At Second Chapter Brewing, we love great beer and great stories, including books of all kinds!

The Books & Brews Book Club will explore a range of genres to expand our reading experiences and discover shared interests. 

We meet on the third Wednesday of each month to discuss a chosen genre and suggested read. Newcomers are welcome. A select beer is discounted for the group. 

August 19 | 6:00 p.m.
Read Anything Night

September 16 | 6:00 p.m.
Genre: Classic Lit
Recommended Read: The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

October 21 | 6:00 p.m.
Genre: Modern Classic
Recommended Read: Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens

November 18 | 6:00 p.m.
Genre: SPICY Romance -- Book Signing and Conversation with the Author
Recommended Read: Salt & Smoke, Tempest Wick 

December 16 | 6:00 p.m.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Read: Rose Code, Kate Quinn

January 20 | 6:00 p.m.
Genre: Self Help
Recommended Read: Daring Greatly, Brene Brown

February 17 | 6:00 p.m.
Genre: Culinary Fiction
Recommended Read: Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus

March (DATE TBD) | 6:00 p.m.
Genre: Magical Realism
Recommended Read: The Midnight Library, Matt Haig

April 21 | 6:00 p.m.
Genre: Nonfiction/History
Recommended Read: The Girl in the Middle: A Recovered History of the American West, Martha Sandweiss

May 19 | 6:00 p.m.
Genre: Fiction
Recommended Read: A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman
]]><![CDATA[Bavarian Family Tree]]>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 06:00:00 GMThttp://secondchapterbrewing.com/blog/bavarian-family-tree
One morning last summer, our brewery phone rang. I answered hastily, annoyed at the interruption.

However, instead of a telemarketing call, it was a guy named Brent Larson from Minnesota. He and his wife would be coming through in a few weeks.

“Is this Lisa?” he asked. “This may sound crazy, but I think we’re related.”

That got my attention.

Brent told me about how his 90-year-old mother, Jeri Bodger, had grown up without knowing any of her extended family. Recently, she had done some genealogical research and discovered our brewery blog post about our mutual relatives.

[Read the original post: Anchor Brewing Co. to Close]

Could we meet? Could I introduce him to other family members? Absolutely.

Here's the spoiler: Yes, there's family resemblance (looks and traits!) and enough compatibility to justify three different visits already!

[Click READ MORE for the backstory.]
Here’s the backstory: Back in the late 1800s, my Great-grandfather Louis Kraus and his family immigrated to the United States from Bavaria. His two sisters and two brothers – all young adults or teens – and their parents came to this country in the final decades of the century.

​One brother, Joseph Kraus, attended the Siebel Institute in Chicago, where he learned the art and science of brewing. He was eventually at the helm of Anchor Brewing Co. in San Francisco, California -- both before and after Prohibition -- through the early 1950s.

His younger brother, my great-grandpa Louis, followed him to Chicago for brewing school and then apprenticed under him in San Francisco around the turn of the century. Later, his brewing career took him to Wilbur, Nebraska, to Bucyrus, Ohio, and eventually to Hastings, Nebraska. He was the head brewer and an owner of Hastings Brewing Co. from its establishment in 1908 until “the axe fell,” with statewide Prohibition in 1917. Having lost his career, his investments, and his wife to tuberculosis, he remarried and moved west with his three small children to start a farm near Madrid, Nebraska.

Their sister Barbara married another brewer and lived in California. Brother Wolfgang and sister Francis both settled in Wisconsin near their parents. Brent and Jeri were descendants of Francis.

From there, branches of the family tree diverged, separated by the realities of early 20th-century life and connected by occasional written correspondence.

Now, some of those branches have been reconnected by internet research and a story told here at our brewery.

Getting to know Brent – my third cousin – has been a true pleasure. After he and his wife’s first visit to Nebraska, he returned with Jeri, my dad’s second cousin. They had never met, but really hit it off!

Just this spring, my parents took a road trip to visit Brent and his family in Minnesota. Along the way, they even looked up some of the other long-lost cousins in Wisconsin.

Learning and telling the story of Louis and Joseph, the Bavarian Brothers who made their mark in American beer before Prohibition, has opened doors to new family connections and new stories that we’ll continue to tell for the next generation.

Cheers to a great beer – like the Bavarian Brothers German Pils – and the great people connected by it.
We’re happy to have it back on tap now in anticipation of Oktoberfest 2026 on Saturday, September 26! And we look forward to getting together with our extended family once again sometime soon.
]]><![CDATA[Oktoberfest 2026]]>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 23:17:38 GMThttp://secondchapterbrewing.com/blog/oktoberfest-2026
Join us from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, for an oompah good time. This 4th annual celebration will feature craft beer by Second Chapter Brewing, plus some great fun!

*Note: Some times have changed due to the Husker Football game, which we will screen at 3:00 p.m.

On tap this year outside, you'll find Bavarian Brothers (German Pils), and at 12:00 p.m. we'll hold a ceremony to tap the 2026 batch of Mary's Märzen (Märzen Oktoberfest). Griffins' Nectar (Hefeweizen) and other options will be available indoors. 

New this year are Drift Trike Races, sponsored by Pedaler's Corner of Sidney, Nebraska, at 1:00 p.m. Co-ed teams of four will compete in a fast-paced but lighthearted relay race through a course on West 2nd Street. Expect spin-outs and excitement as racers compete the course and then take a few sips of beer before passing the baton to the next teammate. Registration is only $40 per team, includes a full pour for each participant. You must be 18 or older to compete, and must be 21 and older with a valid ID to consume alcohol. Bring your own helmet! 

Other entertainment will include live music, sponsored by the Quality Inn and Suites and Bollywood Indian Kitchen in Ogallala. Live music acts include Last Chance Band at 11:00 a.m., and Heather Wellman at 5:00 p.m. [Unfortunately Neue Polka Colorado has canceled their appearance.] 

The annual Stein Hoist Competition will take place at halftime of the football game (approximately 4:15 p.m.) and lawn games will be held throughout the day. The Ogallala High School Art Club will provide face painting from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Food will include locally-made Bavarian Pretzels with Beer Cheese (made from our own Mary's Märzen), or a delicious meal of locally-made smoked Bratwursts and Sauerkraut.

​Click to read more!
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Heather Wellman
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Last Chance Band, Oktoberfest 2025
  • Admission is free.
  • Beer and food will be available for purchase by token.
  • Commemorative t-shirts, .5 L glass steins, and other merchandise will be available for sale.
  • Tokens are available in advance in our online shop. 

Token prices: 
  • 10 for $65
  • 5 for $35
  • 1 for $8
Tokens may be redeemed for: 
  • Full Pour (beer, seltzer, root beer, or float)
  • Bavarian Pretzel with Beer Cheese Sauce
  • Bratwurst & Sauerkraut Meal (2 tokens)
Rules: Because this is a large festival, there are additional rules to help maintain the safety and fun at this event.
  • All ages are welcome.
  • A valid 21+ ID is required to purchase or consume alcohol. 
  • No outside beverages
  • No outside food. (Just this one day of the year!)
  • No pets. (While our deck is usually a dog-friendly, we ask that you leave your furry friends at home during Oktoberfest.)
  • Beer and root beer will be served in either a 16 oz. commemorative stadium cup or a .5L stein. Steins are available for purchase, or you may bring your own. 
Schedule of events:
  • 11:00 Gates open; Food & beer available!
  • 11:00-3:00 OHS Art Club Face Painting
  • 11:00-1:30 Live Music: Last Chance Band 
  • 12:00 Mary's Märzen Ceremonial Tapping
  • 1:00 Drift Tricycle Races (sponsored by Pedaler's Corner)
  • 3:00 Nebraska vs. Michigan State football broadcast
  • 4:15 (Halftime) Stein Hoist Competition 
  • 5:00-8:00 Live Music: Heather Wellman 
  • 7:00 Nebraska vs. Ohio State volleyball broadcast
  • 8:00 Event ends.
  • 9:00 Taproom closes.

Thank you to our partners and sponsors!

Games and prizes are sponsored in party by:
Event promotion sponsored in part by the Keith County Visitors Committee.

Details of the event schedule are subject to change. 
Get ready for the day by purchasing tokens or merch, like our commemorative .5L steins or t-shirts. Plus, sign up your team for the Drift Tricycle Relay! ​
Want to help make this event a success AND get free stuff? Sign up as a volunteer!

​We will contact all volunteers to confirm their assigned duties prior to the event.  ​
]]><![CDATA[Labor Day Weekend Pop Up Party]]>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 20:00:56 GMThttp://secondchapterbrewing.com/blog/labor-day-weekend-pop-up-party
We are pleased to announce that a favorite Labor Day Weekend tradition will continue this year: our 4th Annual Pop-Up Party at Second Chapter Brewing!

Spend the day with us, sipping and shopping from some great area vendors! Plus, enter to win a great giveaway!
Trish and Dave's Kitchen on Wheels will join us all day, serving smash burgers, Philly sandwiches, and more. 

Sunday, September 6, from 12:00-5:00 p.m. Taproom will be open until 7:00 p.m.

Confirmed vendors include:
​ADDITIONAL VENDORS ARE WANTED!!! Click READ MORE to see the details below. 
Vendor information:
SETUP: 10:00 - 11:45 a.m.

COST: Indoor booth $50. Outdoor booth $35.

BOOTH: You are responsible for your table and fixtures. Spots are approximately 8' x 10' (please allow for some flexibility and creativity!). In some cases, we may be able to repurpose our taproom or deck tables for your use. If you have specific needs, please give me a call.

REGISTRATION: Please complete the form at this link: https://forms.gle/r2P8h7mms53T6KFJ6

PAYMENT: You may pay your vendor fee at this link: https://commerce.arryved.com/location/BNhi2KuH/modality/pickup/  You may also call Lisa during office hours (roughly M-F, 8-5) or stop in at the taproom Tuesday-Sunday. 

PROMO MATERIALS: Please send your logo and any photos that you would like us to use in our outreach to info@secondchapterbrewing.com.

SIGNAGE: We encourage signage (sign or tablecloth, etc.) for your business to help with your visibility and for the professionalism of the event. 

CANCELLATIONS: Any cancellations must be made before Monday, August 24.  

LOGISTICS: The taproom is elevated above ground level, so there are steps or an ADA ramp to enter the building. The deck is also elevated above ground level. Any outdoor vendors will have access to our large umbrellas, or you may bring a small pop-up tent. We will will allow vendors in the parking lot this year if there is additional demand that exceeds the deck and taproom space.

PROMOTION: SCB will promote the event through email marketing, signage, social media, and radio advertising.  We encourage all vendors to share this event with their customers, social media, email lists, etc.

GIVEAWAY: There will be a drawing during the event. Customers will receive one entry with each purchase from any participating vendor. We ask vendors to donate one item (suggested: $10-20 retail value). 
]]><![CDATA[Harvest]]>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 20:35:27 GMThttp://secondchapterbrewing.com/blog/harvest
​Wheat harvest can be long, hot, and stressful, as farmers race to bring in their crop before the next thunderstorm rolls across the plains.

Once the last bushel is in the bin, well, then it's time for a little celebration!

This photo, taken in 1917 in Otoe County, Nebraska, shows several of David Miesbach's family members and others enjoying some refreshment after threshing. The keg in the center presumably contained one of the final batches produced by Hastings Brewing Company, as Prohibition went into effect in Nebraska in May of 1917, causing all alcohol sales and manufacture to cease. Perhaps they held up the "soda" advertisement to avoid suspicion? 

After Prohibition, former Hastings brewmaster and part-owner Louis Kraus -- recently widowed with three children and having lost his brewery investments -- remarried and took up a new trade: farming in Perkins County. The page turned for the Kraus family.

Now, a few generations later, Louis' great-granddaughter Lisa Kraus and her husband Richard Gibson are proud to carry on a new chapter in their family's story here at Second Chapter Brewing.

​Cheers to all the legacy of the farmers and brewers across the history of this great state!

P.S. We've got your post-harvest party supplies on hand.
Picture of 1917 threshing party
A threshing party in Otoe County, Nebraska, gathers around a keg from Hastings Brewing Company in 1917. (Photo courtesy of David L. Miesbach)
pre-Prohibition beer keg picture
An original pre-Prohibition keg from Hastings Brewing Company (1908-1917) in the Second Chapter Brewing taproom. Hastings' brewmaster and majority-owner Louis Kraus was the great-grandfather of SCB co-owner Lisa Kraus.
]]><![CDATA[Oregon Getaway]]>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 20:38:39 GMThttp://secondchapterbrewing.com/blog/oregon-getaway
At the end of June, our family had the opportunity to get away. We traveled up and down the Oregon Coast, visiting family and friends, camping with our kids, and taking in the beautiful scenery. Of course, we also enjoyed some great food and drink along the way! Market research is important!

We came back last week into the rush of tourism season in Ogallala. It has taken us a moment to catch our breath. We are still waaaay behind. But we are reminded of how much we appreciate the serenity and perspective gained from stepping away.

We are extremely grateful to our team members -- in the taproom and behind the scenes of the brewery and office -- who kept things here humming along in our absence. It is not easy to entrust a small business to others' hands, especially during such a busy season, but they proved themselves beyond capable once again! Thank you!!!

​We hope you enjoy these photos from our trip -- sea lions, beaches, wildflowers, cheese factories, and more. You can find a few tastes of Richard's home state on our menu too.
]]><![CDATA[Sweet Summertime]]>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 06:00:00 GMThttp://secondchapterbrewing.com/blog/sweet-summertime
Now there are even MORE opportunities for you to come see us! New taproom hours are: 
  • Monday | Closed
  • Tuesday | 4-9 p.m.
  • Wednesday | 4-9 p.m.
  • Thursday | 4-9 p.m.
  • Friday | 2-10 p.m.
  • Saturday | 12-10 p.m.
  • Sunday | 2-7 p.m.
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Also, Trivia Night is back for the summertime! Join host Tom Witting for a quiz that will stretch your brain each Tuesday at 7 p.m.
]]><![CDATA[Puzzles & Pints: Nebraska State Fair Edition]]>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 06:00:00 GMThttp://secondchapterbrewing.com/blog/puzzles-pints-nebraska-state-fair-edition
Congratulations to the top teams that qualified for the Nebraska State Fair Puzzle Competition in September!

This edition of Puzzles and Pints was so much fun! Our first place finishers sped through all 500 pieces in only 39 minutes, 28 seconds. The next three teams finished back-to-back at 1:03:54, 1:04:04, and 1:05! It was a real nail biter.

Congratulations to all the teams.
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First Place: 00:39:28
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Second Place: 01:03:54
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Third Place: 01:04:04
]]><![CDATA[Spring Comedy Recap]]>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:00:00 GMThttp://secondchapterbrewing.com/blog/spring-comedy-recap
A huge thanks to everyone who came out for our Spring Comedy Series. We laughed, and then laughed some more, with the supremely talented headliners Tom Thakkar, Ray Harrington, and Andrew Sleighter!

Comedy nights at the brewery take collaboration and hard work, but they're worth the effort when we get to see so many people enjoying a good laugh and a great beer.

Special shoutout to our taproom staff, who kept the drinks pouring even when the room was packed to capacity or they had to overcome technical difficulties. We are also grateful to our local partners, including the Best Western Plus Ogallala Inn for housing the comedians; Bubba's Smoked & Loaded, Piglee Wiglee BBQ, and Prokops' Smokin' BBQ for feeding our customers; and the Keith County Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Ogallala & Keith County, for helping us get the word out to make this event series a success.

More photos after the break (click Read More). 

Until next time!
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Andrew Sleighter at Second Chapter Brewing, April 11, 2026.
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Ray Harrington at Second Chapter Brewing, March 22, 2026. Photo courtesy of Mark Masters.
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Tom Thakkar at Second Chapter Brewing on February 14, 2026.
]]><![CDATA[St. Patrick's Celebration]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMThttp://secondchapterbrewing.com/blog/st-patricks-celebration
What an incredible time we had at our St. Patrick’s Celebration at the brewery! From the lively atmosphere to the amazing company, it truly was a day to remember.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us, and a special nod to:

- String Fling, for bringing such great energy and music to the event.
- Main Street Meats, for the delicious salami and Irish cheddar.
- Bittersweet Bakery, for transforming our Imperial Stout into a delicious Irish soda bread.
- Richard, for brewing such a delicious Irish Prose Red Ale.
- Our taproom crew, for their tireless hustle and warm Irish welcome.

We’re so grateful for this community that gathered together and made it feel like an old Irish pub, full of laughter, stories, and good cheer.

Slainte!
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