Home » News » Clintonville News » Marion brewery in state contest

Marion brewery in state contest

Wisconsin Brewdown features Pigeon River

Local beer enthusiasts have an opportunity to vote for Pigeon River Brewing Co. in an online, statewide poll.

Travel Wisconsin, a state tourism website, listed Pigeon River Brewing Co. among its top 20 vote recipients.

Nate Knaack, the owner of Pigeon River Brewing, first became interested in brewing beer as a sophomore in high school.

A member of FFA, where he met his future wife, Kayla, Knaack was inspired after reading an article about hops in an agriculture magazine.

Nate and Kayla purchased used equipment from O’so Brewing Co., and then spent a year getting the brewery ready for business.

Patron saint of brewing

Nate and Kayla Knaack with their children at Pigeon River Brewing Company.
Submitted Photo

Pigeon River Brewing Company opened on July 18, 2012.

That was the feast day of St. St. Arnold of Metz, the patron saint of brewing.

Quoting St. Arnold, Knaack says his philosophy is “from man’s sweat and God’s love, beer came into the world.”

He said his goal is to provide quality beer in a jovial surrounding.

“We’ve always felt that beer brings everybody together,” Knaack said.

What began as a family hobby has grown into a business that employs 12 people.

Knaack said Pigeon River Brewing produces about 1,200 barrels of beer per year.

Their beer is distributed in the Fox Valley and Green Bay.

In 2016, Pigeon River Brewing opened at its current location at the intersection of Highways 45 and 110 in Marion.

The taproom is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Their most popular beers are Big Drop Citrus Shandy and Cherry Drop Citrus Shandy, Knaack said.

“These are a true German style of beer,” Knaack said.

The secret ingredient is a local citrus soda.

Knaack said he was surprised to see he had made the top 20 breweries in the online survey.

“There’s a few hundred breweries in the state and Marion is a small town,” Knaack said.

Pigeon River ranked No. 6 as of July 13.

To cast a vote for Pigeon River Brewing Company, visit www.travelwisconsin.com/wisconsin-brewdown. Click vote.

Visitors can vote for their favorite beer once a day until 5 p.m. July 24.

Scroll to Top