This content was originally published by The Hop Review, a digital magazine that joined the Hop Culture family in March 2020.
This piece was written by Meng Yang.
OMAHA, NE
“DETOURS” is a new travel series by The Hop Review. Being a weary traveler almost always calls for a reward in the form of a pint at the end of the day. Here, we will document those beer breaks–as we travel the U.S. and beyond–with quips, photographs and Q&As. Cheers, to the adventurous beer trekker.
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No. 002
SCRIPTOWN BREWING CO.
3922 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68131
Once prosperous and then neglected, the Blackstone District in Omaha, Nebraska is experiencing a steady resurgence. New and under-construction condos and apartments are sprinkled amongst historic houses and mansions. Anchoring this area is a patch of independent storefronts reflecting the community’s sophisticated taste; a new/used record & book store, a tattoo parlor, a coffee roastery, a modern mexican restaurant, a mini bicycle tune-up shop and a place to tie it all together: a microbrewery.
Down this stretch of Farnam Street, Scriptown Brewery is serving up a full range of approachable and easy-going beers for the neighborhood. From an English-style bitter to a Belgian-style ale, Head Brewer John Fahrer and partner Scott Stephens have focused on brewing an array of flavorful, classic, yet session-style ales. Within radius of the brewery are thriving professional offices and buildings–and Scriptown’s beers are perfectly suited for the post-work pint (or three) for the 9-5 worker.
“We have a very small, hands-on system. But, we love what we’re doing and we love the fact that we can say our beers are hand made.”
Like their beers, the taproom’s interior space is just as inviting. Modern, rustic, and raw, befitting of Omaha’s frontier origins as well as Scriptown’s namesake. Large, storefront windows brighten up the exposed ceilings and muted interior colors. Original, vintage signage dot the brick walls and new and reclaimed wood is used throughout the space. In the rear, behind glass, patrons can peak into Scriptown’s brewhouse. During our recent visit, the Scriptown crew had freshly prepped their back patio for a summer day and were hard at work making their taproom even more enticing. So, be prepared to stay awhile and enjoy your beer.
What We Drank –
Muddy Mo Amber Ale, Scriptown Brewing’s take on a classic English Bitter. Based on a homebrew recipe that John Fahrer had brewed–that won “Best in Show” nationally at the 1996 American Homebrewer’s Association–the beer’s profile has been slightly updated for today. Just like its name, the beer is a hazy, muddy, dark bronze color with a balanced malt and hop flavor, that finishes with a soft bitterness.
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![Partners Scott Stephens & [Head Brewer] John Fahrer](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/510a02e0e4b0086d33c3c797/1467325088147-KSQKSDUZ3AL5YP2ZN2X2/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kPqQfq0L3n3wpHIsRapTfg8UqsxRUqqbr1mOJYKfIPR7t41kSIWg3YhQfqCIQy0RATJR1sBVb-sUr1iA4ScHlBTFhSPlVV71_Xhqg_adcQJMqCRkWBxMHTc60lPW7G5cLrvEccbtFCCO5l87sOQS9BEul2oMll7XAJwaWwDmNU5W/image-asset.jpeg?format=original)
“There’s a lot of people in the community that have clung onto Scriptown, who we are and what we do and there’s probably not a day that goes by that John and I aren’t here. So the community means a lot to us.”
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*Currently, Scriptown Brewery’s beers are only available on draft at their taproom, as well as at select surrounding restaurants and bars.
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Authored by Meng Yang & photography by Tiffany Yang, collaborators for The Hop Review. The Yangs are designers and illustrators from Detroit, Michigan. They are the creators of the ‘DETOURS’ series and will be sharing their beer travels as they traverse the globe.
