By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Business is brewing as Defiance Brewing Co.’s beer is flying off retail stores in Hays.

The craft beers have been available on tap at local bars since December — but that all changed Friday when the first cans were shipped to Hays liquor stores.

Local liquor stores say they already are seeing a high demand for the company’s beer, which was founded less than a year ago.

“I have sold half of what I ordered already,” said Steinert Liquor owner Jim Steinert, who had 100 Defiance cases delivered Friday. “It’s a local product and people want to support it, and truly what they are finding is that they are pleasantly surprised at how good it is.”

Nate’s Liquor Manager Thayl Jay said he is seeing the same demand, as well.

“Our first shipment we got in on Friday sold out in five hours,” he said, adding he quickly reordered more cases to keep up with demand. “So far, starting this week, sales are still pretty strong. I think it is going to to go over pretty well,” Jay said.

The company is owned by Ken Gottschalk, who also owns Gutch’s restaurant and Wild Rose in Hays, and was co-founded by Matthew Bender, 32, and Dylan Sultzer, 26.

According to Bender, Defiance released 500 cases of their two craft beers — Gutch, an English ale “with a little twist” and Thrasher, an IPA “that is really hop-forward and aroma flavored.”

 

For more on the story, visit Hays Post on Friday.