Defiance Brewing Co. tops off year one by earning national recognition

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Inside Defiance Brewing Co., 2050 E. Hwy. 40, Hays — Defiance Brewing Co., 2050 E. Hwy. 40, Hays

Hays-based Definance Brewing Co.is bubbling over national recognition in this month’s Beer Advocate Magazine. Defiance was named one of the top 28 “up and coming” breweries in the country.

It was a little more than a year ago when Defiance co-founders and brewmasters Matthew Bender and Dylan Sultzer began brewing craft beers for distribution, and less than nine months since their brand hit retail stores statewide and in Missouri.

Bender said when he received the news, he was “ecstatic” — and a little shocked.

“We don’t even know how they heard about us,” Bender said adding. “We come in and just do the best we can and make beer we enjoy and hopefully the public enjoys it … to be actually recognized for our efforts is truly an honor.”

John Sadler, a 2009 art graduate from Fort Hays State University who now work in Chicago, design's the unique Defiance beer cans and logos. — John Sadler, a 2009 graduate from Fort Hays State University, design’s the unique Defiance beer cans and logos.

Defiance Brewing now offers three craft beers — Gutch is an English-style mild ale, Thrasher is a session-style IPA, and their latest, Willy Nilly, debuted in September and is described as a golden ale.

Bender said plans for the the next brew are already underway. It’s named the Oragami Spaceship, a Belgian farmhouse ale scheduled for release in February.

Defiance also has produced seasonal beers, such as Fuzzy Knuckles and Awesomeness.

The names of the Defiance brews are as unique as their beer cans and logos — all created by John Sadler, a graphic design artist and 2009 Fort Hays State University graduate who resides in Chicago.

Sadler has already designed the logo for Defiance’s next craft beer, ‘Origami Spaceship’ due for release in February.

For more information on Defiance Brewing Co. visit their Facebook page HERE.