SEPTEMBER FEATURED BREWER
A HOMESTEAD BREW

“We’re a farmhouse, field-to-glass brewery,” said owner Lee Anderson. “It’s trying to grow as many things as I possibly can. I won’t brew it unless there’s at least something that I grew in it.”

At A Homestead Brew in Valley Springs, there are countless fruit trees and plants, such as blackberries, raspberries, and peaches to focus on its hops-focused brewing.

“You’re literally just capturing something so fresh,” said Anderson. “You can see us grow it, process it, and brew it all on site.”

By searching #grew2brew on social media, you can find many events the brewery hosts (i.e. food trucks, beer and food pairing dinners, hot air balloon launches) and watch the process from start to finish. He also offers the opportunity for groups like wedding parties to experience the brewing with private events (and even help with a one-off brew).

Anderson says his favorite parts of brewing are the extra efforts that he feels make his beers different.

“When you pick up the product, you feel good about it,” explained Anderson. “[On our social media,] you can see my hard work, crawling around in a field, me brewing it. I don’t have to brew in the middle of the night, but I choose to. I don’t have to brew outside in lightning storms, but it’s fun.”

He says he also enjoys spontaneous fermentation with wild yeast and microflora under the stars.

The brewery is located where Anderson says his ancestors staked claim on an original homestead in 1882.

“We’ve got the original claim shack that my grandpa was born in,” he said. “We took all of that barnwood off of there and installed it in the taproom.”

Alongside pieces of Anderson’s history, there are modern elements in the taproom as well, including chandeliers hanging from the walls as well as granite, marble, and glass features.

The taproom offers 10 tap beers and about 17 bottled options. Certain Homestead beers are also distributed throughout the state in stores like Hy-Vee.

“A lot of these beers that we’re doing are single-barrel one-offs,” said Anderson. “In the time it takes me to make 3,000 glasses, I can make a couple hundred and put more
work into that. That’s where I’m interested—how many ingredients can I grow organically to put into this. That’s where I get the joy in it.”


Farmhouse Mango Sour Ale

Wild Sour Ale | ABV: 5.7% | IBU: 35
This golden colored, oak barrel-aged sour has complex flavors that combine with tropical, earthy, fruity, and mango notes.


605 Brewers

Take a look at what other tasty brews are being served up around the state.

MINER BREWING COMPANY
COPPER LAGER
Lager | ABV: 5.8% | IBU: 20

SEVERANCE BREWING CO.
SMŌKTOBERFEST
Smoked Märzen | ABV: 6.5% | IBU: 21

WOODEN LEGS BREWING COMPANY
SCOUT STOUT
Cookie Stout | ABV: 5.8% | IBU: 27

SAWYER BREWING CO.
AXE WIZARD
Single-Hop Hazy Pale Ale | ABV: 6.2% | IBU: 41

BEN’S BREWING CO.
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE GENIUS
Milkshake IPA | ABV: 7% | IBU: 27

BUFFALO RIDGE BREWING
OKTOBERFEST
Märzen | ABV: 5.9% | IBU: 28

FERNSON
DREAM FLOWER

Sour Ale | ABV: 5% | IBU: –

REMEDY BREWING CO.
HATCHET PANDA IPA

American IPA | ABV: 6.5% | IBU: 60

LOST CABIN BEER CO
WIZARD COW

Fruited Sour | ABV: 6.1% | IBU: 29

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