E-Malt.com News article: USA, IL: Wishful Acres Farm and Brewery planning to open northwest of Freeport by fall

Another craft microbrewery is planning to open northwest of Freeport, jumping into an industry that has been growing in recent years both in Stephenson County and nationwide, Journal Standard reported on January 30.

Wishful Acres Farm of Lena, which raises organic vegetable, herbs and fruit, is rebranding itself as Wishful Acres Farm and Brewery. Owners Nate and Penny Peterson anticipate producing craft beer for public consumption by late summer or early fall.

"It's pretty exciting," Penny said. "This is something we've talked about for five years, and every batch of beer will have something from our farm as part of the ingredients."

As the family has been considering the expansion, craft brewing has been growing across the United States. Between 2004 and 2014, the production rate of craft brews quadrupled from 3.75 million barrels a year to 17.6 million barrels a year, including a 5.5 million barrel increase in 2014, according to a report by the Brewer’s Association.

While data isn’t available for 2015, the continued growth can be seen in Stephenson County. Freeport’s first craft brewery in years, the Generations Brewing Co., opened in 2013 and in September, Freeport hosted its third Pretzel City Brewfest.

Lena Brewing Company celebrated its one-year anniversary this month. The brewery was created as an addition to Rafter’s Restaurant complex. Ross Vehmeier is the president of the brewery, as well as son of the Rafter’s Restaurant owners.

He said he doesn’t think the craft beer industry is going to quiet down any time soon. Vehmeier said the quality of ingredients is the biggest difference between the bigger breweries and places like Lena Brewing Company.

“The consumer said, ‘We want local, really well-crafted food,’ ” Vehmeier said. “It’s kind of what started all this. Local food, handmade, wanting to know the guy that’s making it — those are three key ingredients."

The Petersons will continue that theme, using produce to create unique and interesting flavors. The couple received its special-use permit from the Stephenson County Board on Jan. 14, and has filed for its federal Brewer's Permit.

If approved, the Petersons will apply for their Illinois Manufacturing License, and possibly approach the county about a liquor license in order to bottle and sell the beer at their farm. For now, the couple hopes to sell the beer wholesale throughout the Chicago area and possibly set up a community-supported brewery, in which members would receive beer in growlers or bottles on a regular schedule.

"Members will get first access to anything we brew, and there may be specialty releases that are for members only," Penny said.

Shopping locally has been a growing trend over the past few years as the country has put a focus on saving local economies. More people are buying from local stores instead of big nationwide or even globally operated companies, and the same can be said for beer drinkers.

In addition, Andy Lamm, Lena Brewing Company’s brew house operations manager, said a lot of people go to breweries for the variety. His brewery created and sold more than 15 new and unique brews.

“I think people are tired of the same beers that have been around for the last 30 years,” Lamm said. “Socializing is a big part of it now, too. People will go on tours of the brewery just for the variety and the personalities. We have diverse personalities here in the brewery and the tap room.”

Part of the fun for the people who make and sell craft brews is trying to convert people to craft beer.

Tim Coleman, head brewer at Lena Brewing Company, said some people who have drunk the same beer for decades don’t want to try new things because they assume they won’t like it. It has become a goal to create “gateway beers” that are similar to name-brand beer, such as Miller or Budweiser, that can get new people interested in the trend.

“It’s fun to give somebody something they haven’t had before," Coleman said, "and see how they react.”


03 February, 2016