On this episode of Bear Tracks, Hayley Hobbs interviews Rick Goehring, the head brewer at Walnut River Brewing Company in El Dorado. Rick shares his journey from working in IT for over 25 years to finding joy in home brewing, encouraged by his wife in 2003. Eventually, he opened Walnut River Brewing Company in 2013 with a couple of business partners. Rick explains the fundamental reason for choosing El Dorado as the location: its excellent water quality, which is ideal for brewing beer. Although the brewery started small, it has now expanded to over 800 locations across Kansas and Missouri.
Rick discusses their partnership with Butler Community College, where he co-hosts homebrewing courses aimed at novices. The initial six-week course was successful and received positive feedback, leading to a condensed four-week introductory course planned for October, with potential future advanced classes. Participants get hands-on experience, from brewing to bottling their beer.
Regarding the brewery's historic building, constructed in 1923 and once home to a brothel, Rick mentions how visitors enjoy its colorful past during tours. He also shares some amusing early memories of operating out of a tiny alleyway and the flea market that preceded the brewery.
Walnut River Brewing Company is constantly innovating; Rick teases upcoming fall beer releases like an Irish Red infused with chai spices. Additionally, their strategic partnership with Ziggy's Pizza has further strengthened their operations. Originally managing a place called the Poor House in Wichita, they handed over the restaurant side to Ziggy's and renamed it The Depot, while continuing to provide the beer.
Throughout the interview, Rick highlights the brewery's commitment to community engagement and education, emphasizing its special bond with El Dorado residents and Butler Community College patrons. He cherishes the long-standing relationships built over the last decade and encourages those interested in homebrewing to join the upcoming course, which combines both art and science.
For more information on the homebrewing course or any other inquiries, listeners can contact Rick at info@walnutriverbrewing.com or visit the Butler Community College's Career and Workforce Education Department on their website.
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