(Also, as far as belting down beer, we broach the subject of whether Booster Days will be a bust like Friday, or a continued bonanza like Saturday, in our Notes of the Week Department).
A River Falls brewery is setting the standard, as far as sheer numbers, in response to their landmark Community Based Brewery and Mug Club memberships offered, and the fact that community is kept at the forefront of all they do, and it doesn’t hurt that they’re located at the heart of that community served, said Dustin Dodge, owner of one of the newest craft breweries in the area.
Swinging Bridge Brewery recently celebrated their first year in business, and this was a time that those groundbreaking and loyal patrons turned out to renew those memberships, and more seized the chance to get on board in what’s an ongoing opportunity. All this Interest amounts to something that probably has not been seen before in Western Wisconsin, and that after only one year, not the decades you might expect.
In their century-old building on the southern end of the main drag, with brick atop of the facade, you can essentially buy your beer for a whole year — even though the building has been around for 100 years of time — but the time of this new offering has certainly come, say owner, staff and patrons alike, even if they’re just people coming in off the street from the downtown, and for reasons cited having one of their best brewery experiences in the area. This is aided of course by the fact that the big front window reveals several of the big fermenters used to make their creations.
But back to Dodge. Even after a wide-ranging “world tour” of sorts as far as career, which included serving in the U.S. Air Force, and then taking up brewing as a hobby, Dodge knew that brewing beer while utilizing community support was in his blood. Soon to come were a 50-seat taproom, cozier than most, complete with menu of all those things you love to eat at a bar and more, including — and this is where we kick in that community aspect — that they strive to use and reuse local ingredients, as shown by the fact that the extra grain goes to a university lab. Swinging Bridge worked with the university and students to develop the business plan and logo, as well. That logo illustrates a great big bridge with a great big middle span, and great big waterfalls underneath, all under the headings in the corners that spell out “River Falls.” After all, places like The Kinni are just a block or two away.
That fact underscores the point of keeping the community in mind, as all phases would unfold.
This is a quick, followup Q and A with Dodge:
— Why should people either jump on board, or continue with, your one of a kind in the state, membership clubs? “The biggest reason to get a membership is to save you money. The discounts will pay for the membership itself even if you only visit a few times a year,” Dodge said. “The second and possibly even more compelling reason is that you are supporting your local brewery. Your support is the only way we can continue to do what we do for the community … I felt River Falls was in need of a business that would better the community and provide a service that there was a demand for.”
— Just how unusual is this, to what is offered elsewhere in the state, or around the country? And how much of that difference comes from the number of people in the membership clubs, or other indicators that would show the large scope of their size, or how quickly the clubs came into being?
“We are now the only Community Supported Brewery in Wisconsin. Our clubs are the primary way we fund additional projects like our up and coming barrel aging program and bottle releases. Memberships give us the ability to innovate and provide more than the standard fare to our customers. We began with 100 CSB memberships and 200 Mug Club memberships we now have expanded Mug Club to 280 members and our CSB sits with less than 25 open spots. The brewery was built around serving our community and our memberships are our way of giving back by providing a great savings to those who support us with the upfront contribution.”
— Can you tell me something about your brews, and what makes them different then everything else that is out there in the beer world? How is your company different than what is in the Twin Cities, or elsewhere in western Wisconsin?
“We have a small system and with that we have the ability to rotate styles more often and produce specialty one offs that would not be economical on a larger scale. We also have a high attention to quality and execution. Our beer is of a high standard on par with any of the big name craft breweries of the Twin Cities. The difference you will see is a more personal experience in a small town setting. (So try this out Minnesotans). One of the things that sets us apart from other western Wisconsin breweries is our quality, small-menu food offerings that give you something great to pair with your local beer. All this in addition to making beers that are original in their ingredients and are downright tasty.”
— Lastly, how valuable has your location been, right in the city? Has it helped to be right on the beaten path, as far as traffic coming in?
“We felt is was important to be at the heart of the city. River Falls is an amazing town and we want to be part of the overall experience and being downtown is key. We see a lot of people pleasantly stumbling upon us as they walk the street. People also travel to come see us and we want them to get a feel for the whole town on their trip.”
The brewery has another attribute in being on the south end of the large downtown, only blocks from UW-River Falls and the starting area of one of the main residential areas in River Falls, as well as specialty stores and those for dining. And, if you wish to have a big full-size meal, over and above the quality small-plates offered at Swinging Bridge, why not complete the deal and trek a short distance over to Swinging Bridge itself, then have a great beer or two to round out your dinner experience? Or use this local brewery to cap off your trip to things such as antique shops?
Perhaps the largest liquor store in Hudson, Chicone’s up on the hill on the south end of the County Market complex, has Swinging Bridge featured among those offered at a special price on placards and signs as you come in the door. This could be seen as quite an endorsement, as it was selected for such advertisement over the many hundreds of beers out there that take into their scope not only the big U.S. brands, but also local, regional, national and worldwide favorites.
Here’s a roundup of the raft of stuff you can receive with Swinging Bridge member clubs:
This beer membership program lets you “share” in a wealth of products and drinks under the community support concept.
At Swinging Bridge, the CBS Membership, backing up efforts of community support, refers to its brewery program that is loosely based on a community backed agriculture model. Traditionally, the farm CBAs sell produce shares in exchange for customers receiving a box of fresh produce each week, at a price lower than market rate. But under this beer-based model practiced in River Falls, members receive beer shares, taproom discounts, merchandise and invitations to member-only events. A half share gets you one fill per month, T-shirt, 10 percent off food and merchandise, 64-ounce growler, pint glass, that aforementioned special-event invitation each year and totals up to 25 percent off retail prices. Such privileges can be gained for $135 for 12 months with $115 renewal.
A full share gets you two fills a month and a pair of growler, the possibility of getting a hat, not just that T-shirt, pint glass set, again that social experience, and up to 35 percent off retail, all for $250 for 12 months and $225 renewal.
Likewise, there is a mug club at the taproom that offers discounts and serves as a social club. (The most loyal of such patrons drink out of a mug). Upon entering, the club member’s mug is filled with fresh beer, and the array of benefits includes food discounts, four extra ounces of beer in every fill (thus to the hilt), merchandise discounts, and don’t forget the social opportunities. The staff at Swinging Bridge suggests a toast to the best community that they say a brewery could ask for.
Numbered mugs come with the annually renewed and CSB add-on option, and the lifetime option is also available. All three varieties of member get a first free fill, 10 percent off food and merchandise, free birthday fill, vinyl decal, and an invite to the annual member event. The annual version is $60 with a $30 yearly renewal opportunity, the lifetime option $199 as a single, but includes a hat, and the CSB add-on is $30 annually.
The UW-River Falls Small Business Development Center helped sort out business planning and structure, financing, cash flow projections and staffing for Swinging Bridge, and like many investors, a few family and friends chimed in by getting behind the aspect of enhancing the local community desirability by investing.