18039 R Plaza #108
Located on the southwest side of Omaha at 180th and Q St, Bearded Brewer Artisan Ales opened May of 2021. Though they do not serve food in their brewery, they do host several food trucks throughout the week and Tracks Lounge will be opening in 2025 to offer a nearby food solution.
Below is an interview with Kirk Hearon, owner of Bearded Brewer.
Why did you decide to open a brewery in Omaha?
I was moved here for my job in 2015 and just saw such a growing market for craft beer and a community that really embraces local. Once I was in the west Omaha area, I saw a gap in the market and a need to bring a brewery to that area of town.
What makes your brewery different from others in the Omaha area?
I never want to say something makes me different from others. Although I do think every brewery is unique in their own way, which is what makes brewery hopping so fun. I will say as a brewery we do have an incredible vibe and atmosphere that is led by a fantastic team of employees. At the same time, we really stretch the limits on flavors and styles of beers and do not try to fit flavors into a box. We want to bring fun stuff to people so that when they taste it, it matches everything that it says on the label. We also want to brew beers that people want to drink every day, so our menu has very wide range.
Do you have any special events (either occurring on a regular basis or one-time, seasonally, etc.)?
We do a bunch of fun things such as Beardtoberfest, barrel aged stout releases, anniversary parties, Husker games, Trunk or Treat, and loyalty parties. We really try to have a fun time. Follow us on Facebook to stay in the know.
What is your personal favorite beer that you brew and why?
I love all my beer! Well that’s not really true. In general I really try to find something I enjoy in each beer, but at the same time I am not just brewing for me. I am brewing for the customer base that comes in and enjoys our beer. I really take a lot of pride in each beer style and won’t stop until I make it the best I feel I can.
What are your future goals/plans for your brewery?
We opened in the Colorado market a year ago and that is stretching us pretty thin. I would say our goal at this point is to continue to grow our customers one by one and continue to listen to feedback and improve on our business model. We want to be a place everyone wants to come and bring their family every time they come to town.
Related Articles
Apr. 27th, 2023
Thinking Outside the Gym: 7 Unique Ways to Stay Active
Nov. 11th, 2024