Knuth Brewing Co. owner David Knuth couldn’t be happier that he has the soft opening of his new location (230 Watson St.) behind him, and looks forward to the grand opening this month.

“It’s an amazing thing when your dreams come true,” Knuth said. “It’s going to be a great thing, I hope, for our town, for the community, that we can serve more people and do a better job of serving, but mostly just wanted people to know how grateful we are for the opportunity. We don’t take that for granted.”

Knuth’s quietly opened its doors Tuesday, Jan. 16 by just flipping the open sign around, Knuth said, to see what would happen. The first couple of days were light, but once the word got out on Facebook, he said the place was packed all weekend.

That’s a lot more people than he was able to sit in the old location across the street. The new space can seat 140 diners, which is more than three times what the original restaurant allowed. 

That doesn’t even count the upstairs banquet space, which will seat up to 350. The event space has its own bar and kitchen, and there is an entrance on that same level from the rear parking area.

Knuth’s will offer a beer garden on the side of the building in the green space, and once warm weather returns, the restaurant again will provide outside dining, making use of every part of the historical building.

“I just love the history of this space and we’re glad we were able to save it,” Knuth said. “At one point in the past there was a lot of talk about just tearing it down, so I’m happy and excited that we can make some use out of it.”

Many of the items on display or in use in the restaurant have historical significance as well, he said.

A pew in the main dining room near the bar comes from a church that was the oldest congregational church in Wisconsin. The Second Company Black Hats, a unit that served during the Civil War, was recruited in that same church. The Black Hats were better known as the Iron Brigade, a unit made up of primarily Wisconsin units, but had some other Midwestern units mixed in. They saw action in multiple battles during the Civil War.

People may notice a painting of a lion that Knuth received from a friend who brought it back from Germany. It is reportedly more than 50 years old and was a centerpiece of Octoberfests in Bavaria.

Another photo on display in the main entrance hallway is of the American House building when it was still known as the “Strauss Brothers Department Store.” Over the years the building has been home to an assisted living facility, the department store and planned high-end condos, which were never realized. The photo was enlarged from a postcard from the department store era.

 The new location has more space for brewing operations. Knuth Brewing Company delivers to more than 100 bars, restaurants and retail outlets in the Fox Valley and Surrounding area.

In January 2023, the Ripon Common Council approved the submission of a Community Development Initiative grant on behalf of Knuth’s in the amount of $250,000. It was approved and transferred to Knuth’s from the city. The help, Knuth noted, was invaluable.

“It probably wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t get it,” he said.

The best benefit of the new location, according to Knuth, is expanded brewery operations, enabling for more beer to be produced.

“We plan to crank out more beer for customers (retail and wholesale) and eventually maybe introduce new beers,” he said.

Knuth Brewing Co. distributes to more than 100 bars, restaurants and retail outlets across the Fox Valley and surrounding area.

“I mostly want people to know how grateful we are for the opportunity to be in a building like this,” Knuth said. “I remember when we were first over there (old location). I remember looking at this building and dreaming that one day we could be in a place that big.”

The grand opening for Knuth’s will be Saturday, Feb. 17 and Knuth and his crew are planning a big day. The 2/5ths Party Band will perform from noon to 2 p.m., offering popular polka tunes, followed by Copper Box, a local band from Oshkosh, who will perform from 3 to 6 p.m. Two new hand-crafted bourbon barrel beers will be released and wood-fired brats will be available. The brewery will be open for tours.

The event will run from noon to 6 p.m.

Check out Knuth’s Brewing’s Facebook page for more information.

Hoisting a glass to the reopening of Knuth Brewing Co. at its new location, 230 Watson St., are, from left, Daniel Andrade, Matthew McCauley, Aaron Peters, David Knuth, Stephanie Delisle and Marie Knuth.

*This article posted originally in The Ripon Press