A Celebration Of Wisconsin’s Craft Brewery Culture, Amery Ale Works Is A Must-Visit
Sarah McCosham
Author
Amery is small town about 60 miles northeast of Minneapolis all the way in the western part of the state. But make no mistake about it: Amery, Wisconsin, is a place that truly deserves your attention, especially if you’re into the craft brew scene. (And being in Wisconsin, of course you are!)
You see, tucked into a barn in this small, out-of-the-way town is one of the best breweries in Wisconsin. This beautiful old barn in Amery fell into the hands of Jenna Johnson, who, a handful of years back, found herself newly single and, due to a sequence of events, in possession of a barn. So she rolled up her sleeves and did what entrepreneurs do best, drawing up plans for what would become Amery Ale Works. Today, this Wisconsin brewery is a warm and welcoming place that’s a cornerstone of its community, with a story that reminds us to make lemonade out of lemons — or, in this case, beer out of hops and yeast.
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So when she found herself newly single and in a moment of self-discovery and re-invention, the barn, in all its weather-worn beauty, spoke to her.
Faced with an uncertain future and present, Johnson let herself explore her hobbies and find inspiration. Her home-brewing hobby and tract of wondrous Wisconsin acreage paved way for what would ultimately become Amery Ale Works.
She adds that the brewery focuses on bringing events to the community, too, such as trivia nights, an annual Oktoberfest celebration, and car show. "We work with local clubs to host their meetings and fundraisers and we support local community activities through donations, sponsorships, and volunteer activities," she explains.
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In fact, when Amery Ale Works often calls itself a "Bar(n)," which sums up the experience perfectly. Yes, it's a rustic barn on a small-town farm, but it's also a beloved local bar and true community cornerstone.
This is all part of a day's work for Johnson, though. "For me, success in business comes down to doing something you're passionate about and seeing that passion resonate with your customers and your team. It's being able to stop for a moment and say, 'I am proud of what we're doing, I am having fun doing it, and others feel the same.'" she says, adding that the success of Amery Ale Works truly is a team effort -- including the "team" of Amery, Wisconsin, a tiny-but-mighty town of just under 3,000!
Many thanks to Jenna Johnson for sharing the story about her amazing Wisconsin brewery. Learn more about Amery Ale Works at its website, Facebook, and Instagram pages. And be sure to visit the brewery at 588 115th St, Amery, WI, 54001.
Of course, Amery Ale Works is just one of the many small businesses affecting positive change in Wisconsin; please nominate your favorite attractions and businesses for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Only In Wisconsin article. And be sure to follow Only In Wisconsin on Facebook and Instagram to learn about the many incredible places, attractions, and events in America’s Dairyland.
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