German-American Society in Omaha Opens Its Own Brewery, Plattfluss Brauhaus

Members of Omaha's German-American Society marked the debut of their own brewery with a grand opening event on Friday, giving visitors a first chance to sample the beers made on site.

The new venture, called Plattfluss Brauhaus, grew out of a long personal passion. Steve Thedens, the brewery's brewmaster, has made beer at home for roughly 40 years, having started in 1986. "So now I'm doing it, I guess, professionally," he said.

Thedens joined a society suborganization known as Homebrewers a few years ago. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and four fellow brewmasters began working up an idea for the society. He said a brewery was the one thing the group lacked. "People would say, oh, you guys make your own sausage, why don't you make your own beer?" he said.

Getting the brewery off the ground took considerable time. Thedens said the project needed approval from federal, state and city authorities, a process that typically runs 18 months to two years. The Omaha City Council gave its final approval on St. Patrick's Day, clearing the way for the society to open.

The name carries two layers of meaning. Thedens explained that most Germans who settled in the Midwest came from northern Germany and are known as the Plattdeutsch, and many society members descend from them. Plattfluss means "flat water," which also nods to the Platte River. "So a little local tie and then a tie back to Germany too within the name," he said.

The brewery produces German beers that are sold only on the society's campus. Thedens said seasonal offerings are planned, along with other styles such as Berliner Weisse. By his estimate, the brewers could make about 20 different German beers.

Society President Sharon McLean said she hopes the new beers will appeal to the full membership and help draw younger people to the organization. She noted that many members are in their 80s and 90s and are first-generation immigrants from Germany. "The future of the society is grounded in our younger members," she said, adding that the brewery helps extend the society into the future.

Visitors at the opening responded warmly. Frank Freihaut, a past president of the society, praised the four brewmasters, saying they had done a "phenomenal job." Two guests who traveled from Minnesota, Patrick Lacourse and Matthew Lacourse, tried the Dunkelweizen. Patrick Lacourse called it "pretty good," while Matthew Lacourse described it as "delicious, very refreshing" and said he could not wait to have several more through the evening.