Greenview brewing to get its own space
The popularity of its gluten-free beers has prompted Greenview Brewing to move to new, larger quarters on Madison’s northeast side. Since opening in 2013, owner and brewmaster Trevor Easton has shared space at Madison’s House of Brews. “It’s hard to make more beer than we currently do, there — and we’re selling everything we make,” says Easton.
Linda Falkenstein
Trevor Easton
Easton recently leased space at 1808 Wright St. near the Truax campus of Madison College, where he’ll assemble his brew house and tasting room.
“There’s a lot of interest in Madison for gluten-free, and we’ve barely begun to tap that,” says Easton. Greenview currently makes four gluten-free beers under the Alt Brew label: a farmhouse ale, Hollywood Nights Blonde IPA, Copperhead and a Belgian Tripel modeled after this year’s Common Thread brew.
Alt Brew beers are offered primarily in 22-ounce bottles. The new location will allow Easton to market more of those, increase draft production and expand one-offs and experimental batches that he finds essential in recipe development. And the brewery will be able to grow at the Wright Street location, too.
Easton is waiting for a conditional-use permit from the city that he hopes will be approved this month. After some renovation of the space, he hopes to open the tasting room by early August.
When making gluten-free beer, everything must be kept separate from other gluten-containing ingredients. At his current spot at House of Brews, Easton confines his brewing to a 125-square-foot room. At his new location he’ll have about 5,800 square feet. He estimates he’ll be able to double his brewing to two or three times a week, in one-barrel batches.
Brewpubs move to increase their distribution
Several Madison brewpubs are moving to distribute their beers beyond their own bars. The Great Dane expects to start offering cans of its German Pilsner and Hopsconsin red ale by midsummer. They’ brew the packaged beers at Hilldale and use a secondary contractor with a mobile canning line.
One Barrel Brewing is also planning to add distribution of its beer. Owner Peter Gentry recently purchased two 20-barrel fermenters that will become part of the brewing operation at House of Brews. Among the expanded offerings will be One Barrel’s Penguin Pale Ale and Commuter Kölsch. Gentry says the deal with House of Brews will allow him to immediately double the number of taps around town that pour his beer. And, by November, Gentry says he’ll be offering bomber bottles of his #2 Strong Ale.
Next Door Brewing has signed a letter of intent with General Beer Distributors to start offering at least two of its brands in bottles this fall. Next Door’s Bryan Kreiter isn’t saying which beers he’ll bottle first; however, one likely candidate is his very popular Eastside American Pale Ale.
Beers to watch for
Dragon Flute American Pale Ale from Karben4.
Another IPA, this one at 5.4% ABV and 40 IBUs.
Insolence double IPA from Bent Kettle Brewing of Fort Atkinson.
It’s on tap at Eddie’s Alehouse and Eatery in Sun Prairie, and should begin appearing in Madison soon.
Wild Ride IPA from Sand Creek Brewing.
Since it’s made in small batches that age for six months in used bourbon barrels, there’s never much of it when it does appear. Look for it in six-packs.
