.jpg)
OUR STORY - A BREWERY BUILT DIFFERENT
“Stahoo” is a Polish nickname for Stanley, and our brewery honors Jim’s grandpa who was born in 1911 to Polish immigrants in Saginaw, Michigan. Local neighborhood breweries and distilleries sprung up to quench the thirst of men working in the heat of massive factories. At some time during Prohibition (1919 to 1933) Stan and his brothers built a moonshine still (Jim remembers pieces of it hidden in the hayloft of Grandpa's barn). Michigan shares hundreds of miles of a waterway border with Canada, and during prohibition alcohol flowed freely. Michigan was a hub for bootleggers who smuggled booze into the state, and Stan took advantage of the family farm and their ample supply of corn.
In 1930 Stanley married Gladys Kanicki, a local farm girl also of Polish descent. After some time living with the in-laws, he built a home on land purchased from Gladys’s parents. Like so many families they experienced hardships of the Great Depression. Stanley felt lucky to have a job as a butcher/meat cutter and he grew barley, wheat, corn and beans. He milked a few cows and raised chickens, ducks, and geese. He sold the surplus, and also bartered for homemade tequila, tamales and other goods. He eventually got a job at Grey Iron Foundry, a GM casting plant. He worked there 32 years before retiring. He was proud of his attendance record of never missing a scheduled day's work. Jim spent countless hours with Stan on the tractor, raising and butchering chickens, and working around the farm. Stan's toughness, no nonsense work ethic and pride in one's work was instilled in Jim.
Stahoo’s Brewery and Taproom was born from a love of family history and tradition. It represents Jim and Heidi’s love of beer and the desire to create a place for families and friends to celebrate. Stahoo's embodies the "can-do" spirit of hardworking families and our roots run deep in the farming tradition.
For 20 years, Jim and Heidi developed an appreciation for local beer and visited many small-independent breweries. They became friends with the owner of a Montana brewery as it grew to one of Montana's most successful breweries. Jim is constantly studying, trying new techniques and working to improve the quality and range of the beers he brews. Malt, water, hops and yeast - no additives or chemicals.
The desire to know where your food comes from means wanting to get close and personal with your beer as well. Stahoo's provides a unique "field to glass" experience. Ask us about your beer, and we'll tell you about the malt and the people who grew it, and how we use it to make our unique varieties for you to enjoy. Our flavors are as vast as the Wyoming horizon!
Stahoo’s Brewery and Taproom is fueled by the encouragement of our family and friends. Jim's gratitude and love for his Grandpa resulted in the brewery that bears his name.
We name our beers after family, friends, places, and events – often it is tongue in cheek with a humorous twist. We invite you to try our beers and to learn what makes them unique.
We look forward to serving you!
Jim and Heidi GleasonOwners - Operators
Jim and Heidi GleasonOwners - Operators
Better Water Makes Better Beer
Beer styles have evolved around the world based on the characteristics of local water. The compounds that make up water in a specific place differ based on the minerals found in a particular region. Iron, Calcium, Phosphates, Sodium and other factors Influence Water give Water a Distinct Profile. This means water from two sites can differ greatly in how they respond to fermentation, yeast, hops and the grain used in a specific style of beer.
Our advanced water system allows the removal of chloramine sanitizers added to Casper's water at the treatment plant. We are able to remove the dissolved solids (minerals) and start with a blank canvas. We typically see 500 parts per million (PPM) coming into the brewery, and experts have established water in the 150 -250 ppm makes the best beer. When we treat the water, we take it down to 3 PPM. From there, we add specific Minerals to Create the Water Profile Unique to a Particular Style of Beer. This Results in a Smoother Flavor, and Makes Our Beers Authentic and True to Tradition.