USA, NE: Kinkaider Brewing Company expanding and staying true to its roots

After 15 months in business, a brewery in Custer County is expanding and staying true to its home-grown roots, Knopnews2 reported on March 23.

Kinkaider Brewing Company is most known for its unique jalapeño ale.

"It scares some people. When they hear about the jalapeño ale, they can get a little nervous," Dan Hodges, who spent 10 years perfecting the recipe, said.

Cody Schmick, a part owner of the company, attests to its popularity, "It's fantastic. We sell it all over and people want that beer."

It's one of 30 beer styles that are all crafted at the brewery with great pride.

"In our branding, Broken Bow is on everything," he said. "We're proud to be here. We're proud to be on this farm."

It's the place where about 20,000 gallons of beer was produced last year.

"We're small enough that we get to have some fun and do some different things with the beer; but, we're also at the place where we can ship some beer," Schmick said.

The beer is now shipped across the state, from Ogallala to Omaha and everywhere in between. Kinkaider products are now featured in 200 stores.

The company recently purchased six 600-gallon brite tanks to produce more beer.

Owners say their primary focus is simply making a good product.

"We do a lot of things to ensure the quality of the beer, the flavor profile of the beer, what's going into it, and the quality of the ingredients," Schmick said.

Kinkaider Brewing Company in Broken Bow is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and on Saturdays from 11 p.m. to 11 p.m.

25 March, 2016