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Johnnie Byrd Brewing Company is Nebraska's first benefit corporation brewery and the fifth overall benefit corporation in Nebraska. We proudly brew and serve our damn fine beer in Wayne, Nebraska. We don't have a huge sales gimmick, just one guiding principle: "We want to brew craft beer that you want to drink, not the beer we think you should drink."
OUr People
GREG PTACEK
Greg has been obsessed with the rural way of life since growing up in Osceola (pop. 800). He fell in love with Wayne while in college (also picked up a wife there too). Greg wanted to impact rural Nebraska in a big way.
More About Greg |
Kelly PTACEKKelly is the beauty behind Johnnie Byrd. She may be slightly blind, as Greg totally hit the jack pot and married way out of his league. Kelly helps run the taproom.
More About Kelly |
Steve PTACEKAside from having a magical soup-strainer, Steve also has the pleasure of being Greg's dad. With that comes the honor of being Johnnie Byrd's general contractor, back up brewer and part-time baby sitter.
More About Steve |
Why Johnnie Byrd?
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Owner, Greg Ptacek’s grandfather was a rambunctious 20 something in a band. He named the band Johnnie Byrd Orchestra. His name was John but everyone called him Johnnie (you have to say it a bit swoonish).
Ptacek means “littlebird” in Czech. Grandma Helen fell for the bad boy in a band and the rest is history. Yep, that's Grandpa's hand-made music stand to the left. |
What's a benefit corporation?
A lot of businesses in Nebraska could be benefit corporations, as they act very similar to a benefit corporation. We've simply made a vow to honor certain tenets and hold those core values just as important as profits. Our three tenets are: 1) Fair and honest wage for employees; 2) all beers will be brewed with 100% renewable energy or backed by RECs (renewable energy credits); 3) 10% of our annual profits will be reinvested back into rural Nebraska and at least half of that investment will be directed by our employees. We're proud to be Nebraska's first Benefit Corporation brewery.
