E-Malt.com News article: USA, NE: Mac’s Creek Winery begins to brew beer on site

After one government shutdown and navigating the red tape of state and federal law, Mac’s Creek Winery has officially began to brew beer on site and now offers it on tap, the Lexington Clipper Herald reported on April 26.

Max McFarland said brewing got underway one month ago after all their state and federal paperwork checked out, the site was inspected by the Nebraska State Patrol, Fire Marshal, etc.

"We have been brewing like mad men ever since," said brewer and winemaker Seth McFarland, "The thing about brewing is that you have to be patient."

Mac’s Creek will offer four types of beer, English Mild, a young malty ale, Kolsch, a light German style beer, Pale Ale and India Pale Ales or IPA, said Seth. He added they also now carry hard cider on tap and sparkling wine.

Seth said for the moment Mac’s Creek will be brewing lighter beers but they will add new recipes and keep experimenting.

Kolsch, Pale Ale and English Mild are all on tap currently and IPA will be on tap May 9. The brews can be bottled and sold on site in 64 oz. growlers or 32 oz. squealers, beer will only be sold on location, said Seth.

"It’s just a fun process," Seth said about brewing, "I am able to change things up and experiment with new ideas." He added the wine recipes are established and people have their favorites they don’t want changed.

To incorporate the beer taps, the showroom at Mac’s Creek has been revamped and changed. Seth said some people are intimidated or turned off by just a winery, but hopes, especially men, will give the place a chance if they never have before.

Professionally, now both as a winemaker and brewer, Seth said it is refreshing for him to spend one day in the brewery and the next day in the vineyard.

The entire brewing process takes roughly a month, Seth said, the lighter beers only take three weeks, others take up to four weeks and the lagers can be left to mature for as long as needed he said.

Per batch roughly 60 to 65 gallons are brewed and Mac’s Creek has the ability to do three at one time. During each batch cycle, 200 gallons can be brewed Seth said.

On April 25 Seth was making a batch of English Mild in the vat. Throughout the process of stirring he would occasionally mix in rice hulls which would act as a binding agent to create a mash.

The brew is then heated up to 200 degrees where the hops will be added. After this is the fermentation process which takes a week for the current brews. It is then transferred to a brite tank for carbonation, Seth said.

Mac’s Creek will host a grand opening for the brewery on Thursday, May 9 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., said Director of Marketing Laura Robbins. "People will have the opportunity to enjoy a beverage of their choice and a picnic style lunch, the first round will be on Mac’s Creek."

Robbins said Mac’s Creek will also start new location hours on Tuesday, May 28 after Memorial Day. The showroom will be open Monday-Thursday from 12 to 7 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 12 to 9 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.

In the spirit of trying out new things Mac’s Creek will also be hosting live music and a food truck every first and third Friday of the month, Robbins said.

"We want to offer a different experience since adding the brewery," said Robbins, "It gives us a chance to change things up, we want people to come an enjoy their time here."

Mac’s Creek will also be partnering with the Orthman Community YMCA to host, "Yoga in the Vineyard," said Robbins. These dates will begin in June.

To stay up to date on all the new things happening at Mac’s Creek the website has gotten an update, Robbins said people can also check out their Facebook page.

"We want people to enjoy their time not just here," Robbins said, "We want them to enjoy Lexington and Dawson County, we get to help showcase the area."


28 April, 2019