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Old Man River Brewery will soon open in Downtown, McGregor by Joleen Jansen
This past week, I had the pleasure of meeting, the very kind, and talented Chef Stacy Moser at his future place of employment the Old Man River Restaurant Brewery in downtown, McGregor. Stacy will serve as the General Manager of the new business but until the new brew pub opens Chef Moser has been managing the construction work in this amazing restoration project. The completed project will be the first major brewpub to hit the area, within a 60 mile radius and will no doubt be very well received.
This outstanding new site is the brainchild of Dave and Marcy Strutt who have deep McGregor roots. David and Marci grew up in McGregor and both of their parents and several of their siblings still live in the area. They mention how they have always loved the Mississippi River (the Old Man River) and the historic feel of McGregor. “We wanted to help preserve a piece of that history as well as give something back to the community. We felt that a fine eating and drinking establishment would accomplish that as well as allow us to enhance the experiences of the many visitors that enjoy the natural beauty of the area.”
The Old Man River Restaurant Brewery is located in the red brick building at Triangle Park which was originally built in the late 1880’s by Diamond Jo Reynolds. The site served as his offices, while he conducted his grain hauling business by steamboat. The exterior of the building is gifted with intricate brick patterns that have amazed the new operators. The artistry in just the terra cotta wheat bundle at the peak of the structure will have visitors’ ooing and ahhing.
The Strutt’s realized McGregor’s Diamond Jo building was under- utilized and starting to deteriorate. As they imagined the possibilities for their venture, they envisioned the building’s classic style brick and wood structure would create a wonderful bar and dining environment. In an addition, the vacant lot next door provided them the space to construct the modern brew house, kitchen, bathrooms, and a storage facility portion of the establishment.
Marci Strutt explains the overall business plan for the new operation, “Our plan for the business is a team approach with Stacy Moser being responsible as General Manager/Executive Chef in charge of the bar and dining operation. Chef Moser also has been invaluable in managing the construction work and designed the kitchen space. Chef Moser will be joined by Brewer John Hannafan who will be responsible for the brew house operation. Brewer Hannafan will also help with marketing and advertising. Brewer Hannafan designed the brew house space and identified the brew equipment we will be using. We have every confidence that these two very talented individuals will provide our community with very enjoyable dining experiences.”
This restoration project began in July, 2007 and the progress to date is unreal. Major load bearing walls have been established in the sagging building’s basement and on the main level, where the bar and restaurant will be, are awesome rugged looking support beams and exposed trusses which have been installed for support.
The custom windows are probably going to be the most eye catching as the main floor appears to be almost all glass in which the windows start at the floor and tower at least 12 foot.
I was there the day the copper brew kettles were installed into the brewery portion of the establishment. The kettles are so shiny and grand that huge viewing windows have been installed so spectators on the street can observe the brewing process. According to Brewer Hannafan, the system was built in Vienna, Austria, by SALM and only two other similar systems like it exist in the entire hemisphere, one in Canada and one in Brazil. On a trailer behind the building were eight or so stainless steel lagering vessels to store the anticipated traditional German-Style lagers and ales.
Brewer Hannafan arrives at his new post with the following credentials; he has obtained a diploma from the World Brewing Academy by completing the required course work at both the Sieble Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL. and the Doemens Academy of Munich, Germany. Hannafan was also the former brewing supervisor at City Brewery in La Crosse, WI and is an acting consultant for other pub breweries.
The kitchen was nearing completion and from this former Health Inspectors point of view, was one of the better equipped facilities in Northeast Iowa. Chef Moser’s says patrons can expect the menu for this full-service restaurant to suit the meat and potato palettes of Eastern Iowan’s with flavorful exciting twists.
Moser says this about the highly anticipated opening of the Northeast Iowa’s first major brew pub, “The food and beer will bring people in but it will be our service that will bring them back.”
The operators hope to open the doors to Old Man River Brewery before the end of the year. “We hope to have a soft opening before Christmas but that will depend on the construction schedule. Our beers from start to finish will require anywhere from four to six weeks plus depending on the style, so when we first open, we will be offering similar guest beers from regional breweries until approximately March,” comments Strutt.
A grand opening will be scheduled when the house beer is ready. In my opinion this is going to be one of the most exciting dining and nightlife spots in Northeast Iowa.
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