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 PTACEKProprietor
Brew Master 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. After a very successful career in economic development, Greg wanted to start his own business to benefit rural Nebraska. He picked up brewing from a couple friends and loved it. He smashed the two passions together and started Nebraska's first benefit corporation brewery, with the support of his gorgeous wife, Smell! Nick HaaseExpert Beer Slinger
Amateur Human Cannonball Every bar needs their own Norm, Nick was such lovable regular that we brought him into our team. In the warmer months, he'll be ready to save the day as our "Beer Garden Lifeguard". |
kelly PtacekBrewery Mom
Kelly 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 and let's Greg know if we have money in the bank account. Will "Billiam" PaulExpert Beer Slinger
Kid Rock Scholar Don't let Will's sweaty armpits fool you, he really is a sweet teddy bear. The only thing Will is more passionate about than craft beer is Kid Rock, dad jokes, lifting, video games, doggos, puppers, the live action Avatar the Last Airbender and wolf shirts (at least craft beer made his top ten). |
Lucas BruneauExpert Beer Slinger
Mop Technician Lucass is the glue that keeps Johnnie Byrd running. He's also head janitor. His mopping skills are unheard of, no seriously, imagine Bruce Lee but with a mop -- like Karate Kid on steroids while drinking a Monster energy drink. He is the Michelangelo of all things mop related. 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. He's even been known to pour a couple pints in the taproom. Steve is stubborn and won't retire from his 30+ years with the Nebraska Department of Roads, maybe someday he'll join us for retired full time.
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hours
Monday: 4 - 8
Wednesday: 4 - 8 Thursday: 4 -11 Friday: 3 -11 |
Saturday: 10 -11
Sunday: 1 - 6 |
Why Johnnie Byrd?
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. Yeah, those are Grandpa's hand-made music stands 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. Then we prepare a benefit report annually. 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.