​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.

So, my one job for this morning was to stay out of the way and get some pictures and video...
​
With Zeke and his telehandler in the lead, the guys got the tank up and over the front steps, across the taproom, and into the brewery. Then, we all puzzled over the equipment, the angles, the scaffolding, and the obstacles. The tank was too tall. The scaffolding was too wide. We were ready to call it off, change the setup, and try again a different day.

Then, someone suggested that they see if they could simply pick it up themselves without the hoist. Did we have enough brawn? Sure enough! They jacked one end up, got in position, grunted, pushed, lifted, and soon had it standing up.

It was amazing to watch! Unfortunately, you'll have to take my word for it, because when I looked down, I realized I had never hit record on my phone... (Is there someone out there who wants to take over photo and video duties next time? Seriously, I failed!)
​
A HUGE thank you to Steve, Jeremy, Zeke, Ryan, Chris, Gerry, Chip, Chad, and Richard for NOT DROPPING this new fermentation tank! Thank you, RBP Construction and Seifer Construction. A HUGE thank you to all of our customers for supporting us and making this expansion possible!

Between playdates, chores, and summer camps, our two kids spend a LOT of time with us at the brewery. Last week, they helped snap together and date-code our latest batch of Lake Mac Lager cans. (They also entertained some gracious taproom customers in long conversations! Ha!)

More than a century ago, my (Lisa's) Grandpa John Kraus grew up much like our children. His father, my great-grandfather Louis Kraus, was brewmaster of the new Hastings Brewing Company, which opened in February 1908. John was born shortly after.

As John grew and the brewery expanded to be the second largest in the state before Prohibition, my young grandpa's job was to "candle" the beers. He would pass the bottles in front of a candle and make sure the only thing you could see in the bottle was clear, crisp, old-style German lager. He would also doodle in his dad's brewer manuals and notebooks (see "Johnny Kraus" in the pics?).

Now, we are writing the Second Chapter of this story and we're so glad our kids are part of it!
​
Do you get to teach your children values through your work? We'd love to hear your stories too!

Have you noticed the two plaques inside our doorway?
Funds were donated by Cindy and Dale Shoemaker to install plaques from the former Goodall City Library entrance at the current entrance of Second Chapter Brewing. Cindy (Stone) Shoemaker is the grandniece of Clarice and Robert Goodall.

According to Cindy, Clarice loved the community of Ogallala and contributed to many projects such as the public library, Goodall Rec Center, Goodall Girl Scout camp, Mansion on the Hill, and a wonderful animated Christmas display called Fantasyland. Her goal was to brighten the experiences of Ogallala citizens.

We had the chance to meet Cindy and Dale when they visited Ogallala for Cindy's Ogallala High School class reunion last summer. When we showed her the plaques that had been removed from their original place on the building, she was very moved to see these tangible artifacts from her family's history.

While we had always hoped to re-mount these so that everyone could see them and appreciate the history of this building, the Shomakers' gift allowed us to pursue that goal without further delay. We are grateful for their generosity and honored to help preserve their family's legacy in our community.

​We are also thrilled to soon bring back our Goodall Golden Ale, which celebrates the generous foundation of Ogallala's former library. Pictured here with the plaques and newspaper clippings is a sample of the unfermented wort. We were able to dry-hop the beer today and it won't be too long until this smooth, golden ale is out of the fermenter and back on tap. Cheers to a new generation of community engagement and philanthropy in Ogallala!

One year ago, on January 25, we opened our doors to the public. Please join us in the taproom as we celebrate this anniversary all week long!
​

• Wednesday - To-Go Cans Restocked! (And, welcome Bunco players!)
• Thursday - Brewery Birthday Party Trivia Night @ 7 (https://fb.me/e/39xEyqueR) (And, welcome Ogallala Rotary Club!)
• Friday - Pulled Pork Sandwich Night starting @ 4 (https://fb.me/e/1LHOuNxQD)
• Saturday - Puzzles & Pints @ 2 (We have room for two more teams!) (https://fb.me/e/492IhBRAD)

Thank you, Ogallala, for an awesome first year!
​
Taproom hours:
Wed/Thurs 4-9pm
Fri/Sat 12-10pm

What an honor to have our Witty Librarian (Belgian witbier) featured in Brew Your Own magazine! This classic style is next on our brew schedule and will be available again soon.

"A style that was one of the catalysts of the craft beer movement, witbiers are not as easy to find at breweries these days. A reader stumbled on a great rendition of one while in Ogallala, Nebraska, and asks the Replicator to share more about this beer."

https://byo.com/article/second-chapter-brewing/

We were thrilled that Joe Java Stout named his blog post about Second Chapter Brewing as his 2023 Top Story!

Cheers to great beer and great stories!

A Second Chapter in More Than One Way
August 19, 2023

For a writer, the first chapter can be the most daunting, staring at a blank page. When it comes to life, the second chapter can be exciting and scary at the same time. The thought of starting a new job, taking over a family business, or moving to a foreign land can test the will of most people. But for Richard Gibson and Lisa Kraus, their vision of a second chapter would unfold in a way they would have never imagined!

It was a great afternoon sitting with the couple and hearing their story! I always enjoy learning how people get into brewing. I get excited if there is any history and other ties to how the brewery came about. The next hour would have me on the edge of my seat!

Read More: https://www.joejavastout.com/.../a-second-chapter-in-more...

Happy Holidays from all of us at Second Chapter Brewing! We wish you a Merry Christmas!

​May you enjoy this snowy weather, cozied up with those you love, and maybe sipping a nice Peppermint Imperial Stout.

We will be open normal hours this week (W/Th 4-9, F/Sa 12-10) with Trivia on Thursday and our New Year's Eve Gala on Sunday! Get your tickets today.

PS - Isn't our brewery staff awesome?

​I've been reminiscing...December 31, 2010.

​A rented tux.
My tiny 500 sq ft apartment in DC, where all the furniture had been crammed into the bedroom.
A young relationship, after just a few months of dating.
Some fancy finger foods.
Our closest friends, dressed to the nines, plus a few neighbors who heard all the noise and joined in.
A blown speaker after we cranked it up too many times.
One of the last times I saw Rick without facial hair.
The best dance party.

Fast forward to December 31, 2023.
Second Chapter Brewing
New Year's Eve Gala

Who would've imagined that 13 years later, we would get to throw a party like this together?

Don't miss this one. Right here in Ogallala.

​Tickets are $45 in advance; $50 at the door.

1954 - Ogallala's first permanent library was established here.

2023 - A different kind of library continues. You could call it a Second Chapter.
​
Come check out these beautiful bronze letters that used to hang at the entrance of the library!