®
Open
Thursdays 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fridays 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturdays 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
the nest
523 Main | Winfield, Kansas (Click for a Google Map)
Why we do it
To inspire connection and empower community through the shared experience of beautifully crafted beer.
What you'll find
Ales and the occasional lager brewed at close range using the best ingredients we can find -- often featuring locally/regionally sourced herbs/hops/fruits/honey/malted and raw grains.
We also keep a shelf of rotating small-batch bourbons and the occasional scotch -- a red wine, a white wine, local hard cider, and nonalcoholic options including local kombucha, assorted sodas, and Liquid Death flavored sparkling waters. AND juice boxes for the little birds.
Additionally, there is always a selection of snacks on-hand, but keep an eye on our social media channels and our event calendar for food truck visits and other special happenings.
How
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Be grateful – Be kind
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Work hard – Work together
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Make it strong – Make it beautiful
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Celebrate community – Celebrate Beer
Ladybird Brewing's Code of Conduct
Who
Kaydee and Laura Riggs-Johnson consolidated their love for drinking beer and making beer into a small (but more than they'd ever brewed before) homebrewing operation in February 2018. The two unpacked a new 1/2 barrel SS Brewtech system at their home near Winfield, Kansas, they fashioned a kegerator out of an old fridge they saved from the trash at church, and have kept the beer flowing since. Naming their budding business Ladybird Brewing (Kaydee's nickname), the duo has brewed a variety of styles, often writing recipes that feature Kansas-grown ingredients including herbs, hops, and fruits (mostly from Werner Creek Farm and Kansas Hop Co).
The first Ladybird sold was at the first-ever Walnut Valley Festival Beer Garden in September of 2021. The Brewery and Taproom officially opened on November 27, 2021 (Laura's Birthday).
IN THE NEWS
"Kansas Makers: Women Brewmasters"
Kansas Magazine | March 2023
"Starting a Career in Beer" Beer Me Podcast featuring our Assistant Brewer, Amanda Burk | February 2023
"Revisiting History" Imbibe Magazine | May/June 2022
Good Day Kansas Feature | January 2022
"Taking Flight" | December 2021
"Natives of small Kansas town opened a brewery, Wichitans are making the trip" | November 2021
Under The Lid Podcast | October 2021
"Brewery License Approved" | May 2021
"Brewery Planned in Winfield" | July 2019
more information than you wanted
and pictures of our dogs
Laura Owner/brewer
Laura was born and raised in Winfield. Her parents encouraged her to explore her interests and to be an interested person.
When Laura decides she wants to learn to do something, well, she does. Consequently, she is a badass lawyer, mom, wife, brewer, weight lifter, guitar player, cyclist, golfer, and, writer. She's also currently learning to play the banjo (BLUEGRASS!). Additionally, she is mechanically inclined, which is certainly helpful when working on equipment.
Laura is a practicing attorney. She is a member of the team at Herlocker, Roberts and Herlocker in Winfield.
(Anyway, if you need a lawyer just use the contact button).
Formerly the winemaker and a co-owner at a local farm winery, she puts her fascination with fermentation, her knowledge of production processes, and love for all things stainless to good use making beer. Additionally, she's particularly good at completing licensing paperwork. It's long been a dream of hers to start a small brewery in Winfield. She contends that creating and sharing good beer can strengthen a community and build a deeper sense of pride in a place. Which is most definitely true.
First craft beer: Boulevard, Unfiltered Wheat
"I think, that was a lot of beers ago."
Favorite styles: IPAs and Saisons
"It depends on the day"
Kaydee Owner/brewer
Kaydee grew up on a small farm just north of Winfield where she learned to be independent, to explore, and to find creative solutions. She loved being a farm kid, it made her curious and resilient. Her parents taught her the value of hard work and commitment to the community.
It must have been fate that Kaydee's college roommate and best friend, Sam, came to Kansas from Fort Collins, Colorado. After one trip to FC as an undergrad, Kaydee got the bug for craft beer. More than the beer though, she found the community, the creativity, and deep respect for making beer to be shared and appreciated, fascinating. Touring breweries and hanging out in the taprooms at Equinox, Odell's, New Belgium, and later Funkwerks sparked a dream. She began to imagine opening a brewery in her hometown.
As a Vice President for Marketing and Communications at her alma mater, Southwestern College, she spends her days sharing the story of a school she loves deeply, attracting prospective students, and strengthening relationships with a community of current students, alumni, and friends of the college. She loves the story of good beer too -- researching recipes, brew days, monitoring fermentation, pulling that tap handle and watching it flow, and building a community around beer.
First craft beer: Odell's, Easy Street Wheat or Fort Collins Brewery (RIP), Major Tom's Pom. Wheat
Favorite styles: Pilsners, Pale Ales, Dry Stouts, Mild Browns
...and West Coast IPAs
amanda
assistant brewer
Amanda is full of ideas and passion for brewing. She reached out to us soon after we opened, wanting to come shadow and learn. We invited her to join us for International Women's Collab Day in March of 2022 and she's been with us ever since. When she first reached out she proclaimed that she didn't even want to be paid, she just wanted to learn, but we insisted that she make some money and get some beer out of the deal. She has since become our right-hand and sometimes left-hand on brewing days and is without a doubt our Chief Keg Cleaner. Amanda is working on earning a certificate in brewing science. She's fun to be around and a go-getter -- and our beer is better for her being a bird.
First craft beer:
Favorite styles: All Belgian beers, no apologies.
Chelsea
keeper of the taproom
Ashlee
Beertender and
head zester
We call her Honky Tonk. She once said (with that Oklahoma accent) "Get in where you fit in" while putting clean glasses away. Now that's sort've become the mantra at Ladybird. Everyone fits in here, and Chelsea makes sure everyone feels welcome when they step up to our bar. Chelsea is a crazy talented photographer, who owns her own business. She loves live music and will travel nearly anywhere to see the right lineup of bands. She like kayaking, camping, and a healthy road trip. She is the planner-aheader of Ladybird, and we sure do appreciate that.
First craft beer: It was a 12% ABV something at the
Alligator Lounge in Brooklyn
Favorite styles: Amber Ales!
Ashlee is an OG bird. Back in the homebrew days she would help hold stuff, sample beer, give honest feedback, and zest fruits while making "that's what she said jokes" that were only kind of funny. She brings all kinds of ideas and good energy to the table, which, mostly, offset ALL of the bad jokes.
Ashlee's "real" gig is being an alumni director and social media guru at Southwestern College, where she works with Kaydee. Additionally, she is a lifestyle photographer and makes cool stuff out of leather to sell to people who like cool leather stuff. She also is a certified yoga instructor.
First craft beer: High Noon Saloon, Oregon Trail Raspberry Wheat
Favorite styles: Sours and IPAs
sam
Assistant to the Assistant Brewer
Jamieson
the moon dial pusher
What you need to know about Sam is that he's a low-talker. He's like a young renaissance man, and also strangely similar to Cosmo Kramer. Sam gets weirdly obsessive about stuff like brining and smoking the perfect pastrami or collecting vintage wool sweaters. He also wears socks with chocos for all activities. When he's not here he's probably riding his mountain bike, roasting coffee beans, or barista-ing at College Hill Coffee -- he might be doing all of those things at one time. Sam is the king of sharing reels on our group Instagram message..
He's also got a good dog named Clive.
First craft beer: "Does a Montucky Cold Snack count?
Otherwise, Ladybird from the Homebrew days.
Favorite styles: NEIPAs, Gueze
An artist and musician, Jamieson could poetically charm you into any beer on the menu, but they probably are going to convince you that Moon Dial is the best on the board. An Oklahoma native with a strong creative bendt and a bartending background, Jamieson makes a mean Irish coffee (duh). They also know A LOT of show tunes and if you can convince them to sing Karaoke, they'll bring the house to shambles. When not at Ladybird, they could be at their dayjob -- or they could be working on set or lighting designs for regional or local performance.
First craft beer: Tulsa Brewery hopping?...
Favorite styles: Irish Stouts!
Keaton
he puts up with us
A man of mystery -- or just a bit quiter than the rest of us? We'll never know for certain. Keaton farms and ranches and works for the rural water district full-time... Slinging beers is pretty easy work in comparison. One thing is for sure, the weather is more reliable inside our taproom. BUT he does have to deal with the unpredictable shenanigans of the Ladybird squad... Keaton keeps that new honky tonk music playing on our system and he likes to keep an extra tidy bar, he's always cleaning. If you want to talk K-State football, hunting, farming/ranching, craft beer he sure is your guy.
First craft beer: TBD
Favorite styles: IPA, Czech Lager
The woofpack
Quinn Brew dog
Most impressive trick: Plays dead
(for treats of spent grain)
Brew day responsibility: holding down the floor, giving supportive kisses.
Reverend Brew dog
Most impressive trick: Proficient in Quickbooks. JK.
Will shake hands, BUT truly prefers to be
admired for his beauty.
Brew day responsibility: Be a model-dog in the background of Instagram stories
Margo Brew puppy
Most impressive trick: She's a rookie.
Please stay tuned.
Brew day responsibility: Resist the urge to
chew on hoses
