Local Libations: Driftless Brewing Co. and Giant Jones

For the past year, Driftless Brewing Company of Soldiers Grove has been hard at work expanding their brewery and adding a taproom, and as of May, their location is open for the enjoyment of all. The small-town brewery launched in 2013 with a one-barrel system in a repurposed building in Soldiers Grove. “With that system,” says Business Operations Director Cynthia Olmstead, “we served about eight accounts in Crawford and Vernon counties, but it didn’t allow us to pay ourselves or exist in a sustainable way.” The now-15-barrel brewery is expanding their distribution throughout Southwest Wisconsin and plans to work their way east to Madison and Milwaukee areas in the upcoming year.

At the new taproom, you can try Driftless Brewing’s seasonal selections with names that reflect the area, such as Rolling Ground IPA, Kick-Axe Pale Ale named for the nearby Bad Axe River, and Solar Town Stout in honor of the nation’s first “solar village” located in Solders Grove.

Giant Jones Brewery, which opened in June 2018, has become Madison’s first certified organic brewery. Co- owners Jessica and Erika Jones say that sourcing organic ingredients has been a challenge, but hop brokers around the country have been supportive. All of their beers as well as the spent grains from the brewing process are certified organic. The spent grains are donated to local farmers, including Enos Farms in Spring Green, to use as feed for their pigs. “Creating partnerships with local farmers and environmental or social justice nonprofits is a way that we can invest in our neighbors in a sustainable and meaningful way,” says Erika.

Giant Jones Brewery self-distributes in the greater Madison area and specializes in higher-alcohol style beers including Weizenbock, Scotch Ale and Double IPA.