Hundreds bond over the art of beer crafting

NORFOLK, Neb. -- Tempting smells of pork wafted out the hallways, through the Divots Conference Center's exotic plants, and over the golf course; luring more guests to join the party at their second Big Chill Beer & Cheese Festival, Saturday. 

The event began two years ago, before COVID stomped on plans for 2021. Brewmaster Jeremy Kirby said it's grown to 18 breweries and two cheese providers, from the 12 vendors they had in 2020. 

"I'd love to keep turning people onto craft beer," he said. 

Kirby got into craft beer in 1999 when he was in college. His [now-wife] girlfriend at the time suggested they attend a beer-making event; having more fun than he anticipated. After learning how easy the process was, he wanted to mix science and art himself.  

He calls beer the first beverage humans ever bonded over. 

"The first recording of written history was a recipe for beer in Mesopotamia," he said. 

He and others said they are eager to see Nebraska cultivate its beer culture beyond the current 68 craft breweries in the state.

"I managed a restaurant for a long time and I finally managed a restaurant with craft beer so it forced my hand, and then like everybody, the obsession started," said Todd Hartung of Monolithic Brewery in Omaha. 

What is a good beer without a good meal? Food vendors also showed up, sharing their passion.

"The sausage is my grandpa's recipe. I get to use his grinder, his smoker, and his stuffer, to make his sausage," said Jared Rodgers, owner of Uncle Jarroll's. 

Divots recently opened a brewery across the street. They plan to start canning and selling their own beer within this month. Kirby said they're also making new flavors as we speak, with flavors like coffee and cocoanuts.