Have a beer, learn to brew at Show-Me Brewing
Looking for something unique to do this winter?
Host a brew party at Show-Me Brewing, 1925 E. Bennett St., Springfield.
The business opened in April 2016, and aside from being a microbrewery and supply store, it offers parties where people can learn how to brew their own beer.
It’s a popular team-building event for businesses but also a good way to celebrate a birthday, and some couples even brew their own libations for their wedding, says Andy Pearsall, head brewer.
Here’s how it works: The party costs $125, plus supplies, which range in price depending on what ingredients people select, but the cost is usually $50-$60, says Pearsall.
The parties last for 3.5 hours, and customers can bring in or order food. There are outlets if they want to plug in a slow cooker.
When they come in, Pearsall or John Gilbey, another brewer, will talk to them about what type of beer they like and help them craft a 10-gallon batch in that style.
At Show-Me Brewing, one wall — resembling the bulk section of a grocery store — houses a host of grains which customers can select. One of the men will walk the group through and explain the process and how different ingredients will produce different flavors.
The parties/classes are an educational process, and some people do it just to see if they are interested in home brewing before they buy supplies, says Julie Cogell, who co-owns the business with her boyfriend, John Pearsall, and his son Andy.
Once the class is over, the beer is stored in a back room for a few weeks while the yeasts and sugars work their magic, and then customers come back and bottle their beer.
Each 10-gallon batch produces 105 12-ounce bottles.
Party sizes vary across the board, Cogell says.
There is downtime during the brewing process, during which customers can visit the bar and buy one of the brewery's offerings — there are 12 on tap, and the selections rotate frequently because Pearsall and Gilbey also brew 10-gallon batches.
Popular choices include New England IPA, Jalapeno Pale Ale and Belgium Saison.
The idea for the business developed over time.
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Pearsall used to live in Kansas City and there’s a similar brewery in Overland Park, Kansas.
Julie and John, who have been dating for five years, used to go visit Andy, bottle their own beer, and then on the drive back to Springfield would talk about how much they enjoyed the experience.
One day, they started tossing around the idea of opening a similar business in Springfield.
Neither one of them has ever owned a business, but as they got to know people in the brewing community in Springfield, they were encouraged. With the help of a S.C.O.R.E. business mentor, they learned how to write a business plan and decided to open the venture.
There is only one other business like this in Missouri and that’s in St. Louis, says Pearsall. Andy moved to Springfield and they launched the operation. Gilbey joined them later as a part-time brewer but was so talented they hired him full time to ensure they could keep him, she says.
The concept has been popular; they host about 15 brewing parties a month. But getting to know the brewing community has been one of the most rewarding aspects of their business. The homebrewers community is tight-knit and Cogell says customers will bring in their recipes to share and even offer her beer samples.
“It’s a very generous group,” she says.
Want to go?
Show-Me Brewing, 1925 E. Bennett St., is a microbrewery, a home beer and wine brewing supply store, and hosts parties where people can learn how to brew their own beer. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Info: info@showmebrewing.com
Call 417-315-8617. Online: https://showmebrewing.com