Q&A: Happy Sweet 16 To Lazy Monk Brewing!
now in its teenage years, the Eau Claire brewery owners share words of wisdom and funny anecdotes from its longtime patrons
Evelyn Nelson, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
Sept. 12 gave Eau Claire locals much to celebrate. Thousands gathered for the 37th annual downtown Fall Festival while, just a few minutes away, an area park hosted a frisbee gold fundraiser. Others spent the afternoon at Lazy Monk Brewing’s “Sweet 16” anniversary party, cooling down with a taste of the brewery’s newly released premium lager.
Looking back 16 years to the business’s beginnings, owners Theresa and Leos Frank recalled just starting out – brewing, taste testing, packaging and delivering their beer. What started out as a few cans has grown into a staple refreshment of many local businesses and beer lovers.
Their operations first began in a homemade brewhouse, which has since evolved into a welcoming destination along Madison Street where friends and families gather, Theresa shared.
We sat down with Theresa for a quick Q&A on all things Lazy Monk: what beers remain coveted by longtime fans, what inspired the husband and wife to dive head first into brewing, their time spent abroad and much more as we celebrate its 16-year anniversary.
“We want to be a small brewery supplying the best product we can – we never lost track of that. That’s still where we are (today) and we’re very happy. We feel like we’ve made it.” –Theresa Frank, co-owner of Lazy Monk Brewing
V1: Looking back to year one, when Lazy Monk first began, was there a specific moment that solidified your calling to brew locally?
TF: “My husband (Leos) worked for a company in Chippewa Falls, he had been there for years and never saw layoffs coming and even he was laid off. … We went for a walk and sat on this bench by Banbury (Place) and I said, ‘well, what do you want to (be) when you grow up?’ and he said, ‘you know, I really want to brew.’ That was really the moment and once Leos is passionate about something, he takes it full throttle.”
“And so, we did. It was a leap of faith I’ll tell you that. (Leos) worked it all: he brewed, he delivered, he packaged, he did everything. The man was burning at both ends, but the reality is it we saw something and it continued to grow.”
“We want to be a small brewery supplying the best product we can – we never lost track of that. That’s still where we are (today) and we’re very happy. We have 10-12 employees and we can support them. We feel like we’ve made it.”
V1: You’ve mentioned international travels and European communities that are centered around beer drinking. In what ways do those inspirations manifest into the experience at Lazy Monk?
TF: “There are so many because (Leos) drags me from brewery to bar when we’re in Europe. It’s (about) taking those times when we’re there to talk to the brewers, the breweries and see what’s being done there – both traditionally, as well as anything new. (We’re) able to bring that back here and duplicate it in our brewery to give people that taste who may not have the opportunity themselves to travel to Europe – to taste that fresh beer.”
“One of the biggest (differences) is the natural fermentation and natural carbonation. A lot of people force carbonation. The last time we were in Europe was last April, we (visited) quite a few breweries and we came back with a beer called the ‘Fresh 12.’ The Fresh 12 is very similar to our pilsner, except the process (does) not force carbonation. We allow it to happen naturally and it’s now a regular staple on our menu because people appreciate the fact that we aren't rushing just to make the almighty dollar. We're taking time to do the process correctly and to do it the ‘old world way’ and it really reflects in that beer.”
V1: Speaking of the taps, are there any coveted Lazy Monk brews that longtime fans constantly request, or perhaps a unique creation that Leos has stored away for good?
TF: “There is a beer called ‘Theresa’s Sunshine’ that I have lots of requests (for) to come back, but my husband doesn’t want to do it anymore… I’m not sure why! We have a smoked tobacco (brew) that people love and we bring that back every couple of years. We do listen to (customers) and we bring things back. Some of them aren’t the best sellers but we know we have a group of people that want it, so we’ll go ahead and put it on the rotation.”
“For our anniversary, we’re coming out with our ‘Sweet 16’ anniversary beer, which is something that my husband – who is the brewer – is very excited about, to showcase what we’ve learned through the years. It’s a premium lager, it is a light golden in color … about 30 IBUs. (It’s) something you would find as a premium lager overseas in the Czech Republic.”
V1: For those who might not know, the brewery’s walls are chock full of faces and memories from customers and family, past and present. Walking past them today, is there a particular snapshot that immediately brings a smile to your face?
TF: “There’s one that always sticks out to me and people ask (about) because our son now also works sometimes at the brewery. There’s a picture of him in our very first brewhouse … we have (a) picture of him peeking up over the top of the boil kettle. He’s standing in it, barely comes to the top of it and (then) there’s my husband. Now I see him (and) he towers over my husband. So every time I walk by that photo, I always have to smile and say, ‘yep, we’ve been here 16 years.’ ”
V1: The taproom can often feel like a second home for your “regulars.” What are some reasons that contribute to this environment today?
TF: “Quite frankly there's so, so many different groups that come in that are all special and very unique. We’re about to have our fifth wedding for people who met at the brewery or have met through friends through the brewery – and they want to get married there. That right there solidifies we’re building relationships and it’s not just us. It’s the people who come in and they sit by each other because we want to encourage that. The next thing we know, damn if we’re not having another wedding.”
“The other big thing that’s really special to Leos and I is when you’re in Europe, people stop by the pub to have a beer and they have their groceries and their kids… but people stop in because bars are not taboo. We are a family place and nothing makes you feel better.
On Sundays, there’s a gentleman who has been coming in since before he was married – as a matter of fact they were married in our (brewery). They now have a child … they bring their children in, the children play games, they drink their beer – that’s just what we are. That’s the type of environment that we have, where people feel comfortable, and we’re very proud.”
V1: What might be the things you and Leos look forward to as Lazy Monk begins its next 16 years of business in the Chippewa Valley?
TF: “To get through Oktoberfest, that’s my wish now. Every day we’ll just continue to do the best job we can for our friends and family at Lazy Monk. We really don’t know when it’s going to end, but until then, we’re going to be working every day, making sure that everyone’s happy and we take care of everyone.”
This Q&A has been lightly edited for publication. Lazy Monk Brewing (97 W Madison St.) is a family friendly bier hall and bier garden that overlooks the Chippewa River in downtown Eau Claire. Open seven days a week, Monday from 4-9pm; Tuesday-Friday from 4-10pm; Saturday from noon-10pm; Sunday from noon-9pm. Follow along with the brewery's Facebook page to view new event updates and beer releases.
