Stone Hollow Brewing Company opened 7 years ago in Beatrice, Nebraska. I have so many fond memories of the first time I met Bryon Belding (owner and head brewer), learning how he started as a homebrewer and became part of the effort to save the incredible Mercantile Building, which became the home of Stone Hollow Brewing. One of my favorite memories was doing a Facebook Live event at Stone Hollow Brewing one evening. I brought in a lighting kit, and we were having a great conversation. As the discussion turned to the name of one of their IPAs, Mummy Trail, one of the lights turned off! The legend of the Mummy Trail is a story you need to ask me more about!
Syracuse, Nebraska, has always been in my heart because I was born there and came into the world during a tornado! As a young adult, Elms Ballroom was a place to go to hear local bands from Omaha and Lincoln. Then, as an adult, it was a pleasure to go have a craft beer at Roc Hopper Brewing Co.
Last fall, Ben Biehl, owner of Roc Hopper, told me that he was starting a second medical practice and would be looking to find someone to take over the taproom. As the remaining Roc Hopper beer kegs were emptied, other local breweries would fill the taps.
During this time, Stone Hollow Brewing would start to have some of its beer on tap, which was a great introduction to the folks in Syracuse. In addition to craft beer, Stone Hollow Brewing makes incredible hard ciders and has started making seltzers over the past six months.
Some casual conversations began between Ben and Bryon about the future of the building that housed Roc Hopper. Things didn’t become too serious until February of this year, when the two reached an agreement for Stone Hollow Brewing to lease the building to open its second taproom!
Galaxy Quest, hazy IPA
Katy Biehl, Ben’s wife amazing artwork
There were a couple of items that the people of Syracuse had become accustomed to when visiting Roc Hopper that Bryon would have to address. The first one is that Katy Biehl is an amazing artist, and everyone loved the brewery/art gallery vibe. I remember telling Ben and Katy that the taproom reminded me of walking into an art gallery in Laguna Beach, California. The atmosphere is incredible as you walk in the front door of the taproom!
The second item was that the local community loved the food being served at the brewery. Bryon told me it wasn't a focus of theirs, but he would find someone willing to run the kitchen and provide a pizza-forward menu that everyone could enjoy!
The fact that the building was not only set up as a great taproom but also had a kitchen was extremely beneficial to Stone Hollow, enabling it to accelerate opening the second taproom. The really crazy coincidence was that the Roc Hopper taproom had 15 taps just like the Stone Hollow Brewing taproom. A sign that this expansion was meant to be!
The other news I was very excited about was that many of the bartenders who were always so nice would continue working at Stone Hollow's taproom!
Mango and Cash Imperial West Coast IPA
A lot of work goes into expanding a business. Bryon told me there is a balance you have to strike between brewing for your taprooms and for distribution. To grow, you have to expand in every aspect, including brewing. Aaron Carnes, who was once a brewing mentor to Bryon, is now joining Stone Hollow Brewing as an additional brewer. Relationships in any career are essential and can have an amazing impact!
As Bryon and his wife, Vicki, were very busy working on the taproom in Syracuse when I visited. Lots of activity was going on while preparing for the grand opening. Bryon said it has been exciting to see that the local community is interested in having them there. There is also interest among local groups in having events there. This is what I love about small Nebraska towns and our breweries!
Stone Hollow Brewing Company's Syracuse Taphouse grand opening is Saturday, April 4th, 2026, from 1:00 pm - 10:00 pm. You will be able to enjoy their excellent assortment of craft beers, ciders, seltzers, and specialty cocktails! The kitchen will be open from 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm, serving pizzas, appetizers, sandwiches, and more!
Congrats to Stone Hollow Brewing Company! I am looking forward to this weekend and to many more.
Cheers!
