USA, WI: Station 1 Brewing Company already open in Suamico

A fire house, beer and a whole lot of history.

Those are three main components to Station 1 Brewing Company, 1745 Riverside Drive, which recently opened in Suamico, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported on November 12.

Station 1 opened in what had been an operating fire station until the village of Suamico sold the building in April. The business is owned by five families who came together to open the brewery.

Peter App, one of the owners, is the person you're most likely to see if you stop by though.

"I just happen to be the one that is here every day, all day, and that's great," App said.

While the space has been renovated and people are welcome to come for community and a beer — it's not Station 1's brews you'll be drinking. At least not yet.

The brewery itself is still a work in progress.

"Soon," is how long App said customers will have to wait to try their amber ale, IPA and blonde ale, which are currently in the works.

"It takes longer to put together a manufacturing plant than I'd expect," App said.

Station 1 will brew their beers in what was previously the fire station's engine bay. In the meantime, they are serving 12 guest beers from Green Bay and Wisconsin. They also serve four different wines — two white and two red.

The remainder of the engine bay is being converted into a ticketed music hall and event space.

App said he toured the fire station in 2019 and began envisioning the space as a brewery. What he didn't plan for was how much history he would learn in the process.

Signs of the building's history, from badges to former equipment, are on display. However, since opening customers and fellow business owners have shared story after story with App about the firehouse and the community events that have taken place there.

"People have been coming in to talk about the history of the fire station, the history of the area in downtown and just their experiences," he said. "The fire station has been a part of the community. Since the beginning, we've been an integral part."

Now the fire station will be part of the community by offering good company and cold drinks.

14 November, 2021