Andy Dunn, a local patron of Big Grove Brewery - Omaha
If you're in Omaha, Nebraska, and frequent craft breweries, you know this face, but maybe not his name. You'd often see Andy bring a few loaves of Rotella's bread during his brewery visits. He did it to meet new people and promote the great bakery where he worked. I believe I first met the breadman about five years ago and quickly learned he was very well known in the community!
Big Grove Brewery in Omaha is located at The Catalyst, a renovated space from the original Omaha Steel Works, built in 1906. The old steel factory was converted into a modern, collaborative workspace, with the bonus of Big Grove Brewery building a new space at the north end of The Catalyst.
The brewery is close to where Andy lives, and he loves to stop in to enjoy a beer and talk with the wonderful staff. Over time, Andy became good friends with the brewers, and Bryan Todd discussed creating a beer for the breadman.
If you know Andy, you know he enjoys dark beers (Stouts, Porters, Lagers), but don’t try to put an IPA in front of him; he will let you know what he thinks of them!
The Breadman’s Beer is an American Stout at 5.7% ABV, brewed with crystal, chocolate, and roasted malts. The body is on the lighter side, bringing forward chocolate and subtle coffee notes.
This Stout is roasty and robust in flavor, and I am sure it pairs well with many of the food dishes at Big Grove. It is a great beer to enjoy this time of year as we go from fall to winter. I like that it is on the lower side of ABV for stouts, making it a more sessionalble beer.
A fun tribute to Andy, and I am sure he will tell you more “behind-the-scenes” details about the beer the next time you see him! You can also read more about Andy’s great beer can collection in this blog I wrote.
If you get a chance to visit Big Grove Brewery in Omaha, you have to try The Breadman’s Beer!
Cheers!
