DUESTERBECK'S BREWING COMPANY

 
Front entrance to the beautiful barn known as Duesterbeck's Brewing Company (Cover photo of Duesterbeck's facebook page)
     Remember taking the kids to the farm to pick out pumpkins? Now, you can take your adult kids to the farm again, to enjoy a beer. Why? Duesterbeck's Brewing Company, located on a farm on County O, just outside Elkhorn, has just opened. The microbrewery is owned by Laura (nee Duesterbeck) and her husband, Ben Johnson, a dentist in Delavan. Ben has been making beer since he was in his late teens, and the brewing company is a natural progression to his passion, and to keep the family farm going.
Duesterbeck's Label
     We first learned about Duesterbeck's in March from a young  friend who knows the family. So, the Hubster and I have been diligently following their progress on Facebook. It has been a long and arduous undertaking for the brewing company. After deciding the old barn could not be renovated, there was construction of a new barn to house the brewery. This involved building permits and zoning regulations. Then, there was purchasing equipment and licensing of everything from operation to the Duesterbeck's label. After talking to Laura, by chance in September, I learned they were still awaiting final inspection to open. But on October 26th, Duesterbeck's Brewing Company had their grand opening. So, the Hubster and I grabbed our youngest millennial and went to the farm to try some beer.
On the left is the Hops Barn Quilt before being hung on the brewery. (From Duesterbeck's facebook page)  On the right, stained glass Hops picture done by Laura's sister. The decor in the brewery is a farm theme.

DUESTERBECK BEER

     Duesterbeck's wants to be known for their beer, and it did not disappoint. Currently, they offer eight different beers on tap, and all are Ben's recipes. The beers have clever names that give a nod to the farm and Ben's profession. Their beers include: Crop Duester-a Cream Ale; Bees Be Crazy-a Honey Weizen; Bees Be Cherry-a Cherry Weizen; Roosterbeck-an Amber Lager; Dentist Candy-a Hazy Juicy IPA and a nod to Ben's profession; Bine Bomb-a Traditional IPA; Muddy Duroc-a Brown Ale, and I will mention a duroc is a breed of pig; and finally, Oatmeal Snout- an Oatmeal Stout.

WHAT DID WE LIKE

     If you are offering to buy us a beer, I'll have either a Roosterbeck, Bine Bomb, or the Muddy Duroc. I like beers with some bitterness, but balanced with a roasted grain, caramel, and nutty flavor. And I do like some IPA's. However, the Hubster tends to steer away from IPA's, preferring Duesterbeck's Crop Duester, Bees Be Crazy, or the Roosterbeck. He likes an easy drinking beer, more on the sessionable side. Then, there is the Millennial; she would choose either the Crop Duester, Bees Be Cherry, or the Bine Bomb. She likes sour beers, and the Bees Be Cherry comes close, being fermented over tart cherries.
Six of the Eight Duesterbeck beers offered on tap. Missing is the Bees Be Crazy and the Bees Be Cherry.. (From Duesterbeck's facebook page)
Tasty samples of Duesterbeck's beer including from left to right: Front row-Crop Duester, Bees Be Crazy, Roosterbeck. Back row, left to right: Oatmeal Snout, Muddy Duroc, and Dentist Candy

FINAL THOUGHTS

     We went on the Sunday of Duesterbeck's Weekend Grand Opening. From a customer's view, everything was well organized and ran smoothly. Presently, friends and family are helping where needed. As a matter of fact, our server, Patrick, when not helping at the brewery, is the Dean of Students at Rock Valley College. Even Laura's Mom, Cathy, is involved in the business; Laura's Dad passed in 2017. But, I am sure he would be proud.
Our server, Patrick, snag some swag for us.
     For now, Duesterbeck's business hours are Monday-Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am-10pm;and Sunday, 11am-6pm. They do offer simple snacks of chips and pretzels. However as weather permits, there will be food trucks on the weekends. When we were there, we had a delicious Brisket Sandwich from "Friends on the Fly" food truck. Yum!
Food trucks will be at Duesterbeck's on the weekends, as weather permits.
     Flights of 4, 5 ounce, beers are $10.00, and flights of 6, 5 ounce beers, are $15.00. A 5 ounce taster is $2.50. This is a great way to support a small business and the family farm in one trip. There are a variety of beers to satisfy everyone's taste from parents to adult kids. And Duesterbeck's Brewing Company is warmer than a pumpkin patch!
     As Canadian Essayist and Professor Hugh Hood (1928-2000) said, "Nothing ever tasted better than a cold beer on a beautiful afternoon with nothing better to look forward to than more of the same."

Until Next Time,

Minnie and The Hubster

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