Thumb Knuckle Brewing to open in Walhain

Something’s brewing between New Franken and Luxemburg, and it smells like beer.

A trio of partners have spent the last four months renovating the former 54 Run bar at E0208 Wisconsin 54 in Walhain into Kewaunee County’s second craft brewery, Thumb Knuckle Brewing Co.

Ed Thiry, Dain Treml and Jesse Ledvina have given 54 Run’s bar and indoor volleyball court a top-to-bottom makeover to make room for the brewery operation and tap room. Thiry said they expect to pour their first customer a cold beer sometime in December.

“We’ve completely renovated the tap room. There’s a rustic feel to the tap room,” he said. “It’s a comfortable, laid back place to relax, enjoy a beer and sample some food.”

Thiry said Thumb Knuckle — named for the brewery’s location on the hand-shaped map of Wisconsin — will offer a small food menu, but will largely focus on beer. They plan to brew four core beers to start: A Bavarian-style Helles lager, a Belgian witbier, an IPA and a smoked porter that Thiry says is really good.

“As soon as we can, we plan to add to that assortment,” Thiry said. “We’re hoping we can get our tax permit pretty soon so we can start brewing.”

Thiry said the partners have been avid homebrewers for a decade, but Thiry also beefed up his brewing chops with an 18-month stint in Bavaria studying brewing among the masters.

“It was really helpful,” Thiry said of his time in Germany. “It’s great to see how they do things there. I’m hoping to bring a bunch of that experience here to brew some good beer.”

jbollier@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @GBstreetwise.

This article originally appeared on Wisconsin: Thumb Knuckle Brewing to open in Walhain