E-Malt.com News article: USA, WI: Biloba Brewing to open first craft brewery in Brookfield

A new craft brewery is expected to open this winter in Brookfield, the first microbrewery in the area, according to the company.

Biloba Brewing Co. expects to open in 2,000 square feet of leased space at 18720 Pleasant St. in late December or early January, said brewery manager Bryan Dallmann. It will have an initial brewing capacity of 1,000 barrels per year and will open a tasting room on site for beers that could include a traditional pilsner infused with Wisconsin maple, a Belgian-style ale and a special “Brookfield 1836 Beer” brewed from a recipe chosen among submissions by local homebrewers.

The brewery’s leaders see opportunity in opening a craft brewery in a suburb rather than in the “urban core,” Dallmann told The Business Journal on October 28.

Biloba refers to the Ginkgo biloba tree, which has “erratic” branches and deep roots, reflecting the new brewery’s aim to concoct unique craft beers and form a strong bond with the local community, Dallmann said.

Dallmann co-founded Spring Ale Fest in the Twin Cities last year as an annual event to highlight that area’s craft brewing scene. He was tapped as Biloba brewery manager by the company’s founders, the Lane family.

Biloba is owned by Jean Lane. Her husband, Gordon, is president and chief operating officer of Briess Malt & Ingredients Co., Chilton. Gordon will serve as an adviser to Biloba but will not be involved in day-to-day operations, Dallmann said.

Their two daughters, Kristen and Kathryn, have joined the Biloba staff and will work on marketing, sales, brewing and other duties.

Their son, Kevin, is a brewer at MillerCoors LLC.

Dallmann said the Lane family considered several locations throughout Waukesha County before finding the right fit in the Brookfield area.

“We want to be strongly rooted in the community. We see the village of Brookfield as this area that hopefully will be undergoing some revitalization in the coming years and we want to be part of that,” Dallmann said in reference to a neighborhood development area being marketed as Brookfield Village.

The Lane family is financing the startup, but the business has also applied for a loan through a new city of Brookfield program focused on strategic redevelopment areas, Dallmann said.
Biloba is waiting for federal approval of its brewing permit and is renovating the facility for its brewing and casing operations.

Biloba plans to implement barrel aging and bottle membership programs for release of specialty ales.



30 October, 2013