In the early to mid-1800s, many breweries were small, producing a capacity that generally serviced a relatively limited geographic area. These neighborhood breweries not only functioned as local watering holes, but also as a gathering place and hub for local events and community meetings. They were places of fellowship where residents found respite and a healthy dose of gemutlichkeit, the German term that embodies the feeling of coziness, comfort and relaxation among friends.

In recent years, Milwaukee has regained a collection of smaller craft breweries that operate much like the neighborhood breweries of yore. Among them is Stock House Brewing Co., a new brewery slated to open this spring at 7208 W. North Ave. in East Tosa.

The brewery, which is shooting for an opening around Memorial Day, will present its proposal to the Wauwatosa Plan Commission on March 12. Pending approval, construction will begin shortly thereafter.

Stock House Brewing Co. is owned by longtime home brewer and industry veteran Mark Mahoney and Paul Hepp, an American history and economics teacher and owner of Fun Beer Tours, a business which provides tours, scavenger hunts and numerous activities that facilitate appreciation for Milwaukee and its beer-brewing history and culture.

Mahoney says that the two met when he went on one of Hepp’s tours. And, as is so often the case, they bonded over their mutual appreciation for beer, becoming fast friends.

Despite their friendship, Hepp says he wasn’t particularly interested in owning a brewery. But the more he and Mahoney talked, the more he says he began to see the synergy between their interests, skill sets and goals.

"I love drinking beer, and really appreciate the history behind it, and Mark really knows the brewing side of things," he says. "We make a great team."

According to Hepp, the Stock House Brewing name is multi-faceted. It pays homage to the history of brewing, particularly stock houses (often homes in the early days) where breweries stored their beer during the fermentation process. It’s also a nod to the 1.1 million home brewers brewing beer across the nation, whose efforts Hepp says have "really contributed to the craft beer craze we have today."

A peek at the plans

Plans for the interior of the 1,000 square foot brewery – which formerly housed an event planning company – are still in the works, but Mahoney says that the decor will incorporate textures like leather, wood and iron that hearken back to Milwaukee’s beer history.

Mahoney’s one-barrel brewing system will be placed along the eastern-facing wall, with fermentation tanks situated just below in the venue’s basement. There will be a bar along the same wall, and seating at high top tables.

Hepp is an avid collector of beer artifacts – including Civil War era brewery tokens, century-old pre-prohibition kegs, stoneware beer bottles and glasses from early breweries – some of which might also be displayed at the brewery.

Front windows will be replaced so that they open accordion style, similar to garage doors, offering the brewpub an open air feeling during. And for those who want a true outdoor experience, there will also be a 40x40 beer garden located just behind the brewery.

And while Stock House Brewery won’t serve food, Mahoney says they’ll be working with area restaurants, including Ono Kine Grindz and Tosa Bun and Bowl (which is right next door) to offer folks options for food to enjoy with their beer. Mahoney says he also hopes the brewery will become a spot where people go when there’s a wait for seats at any of the surrounding restaurants.

Great neighbors

Even in its nascence, Stock House Brewing has already built a solid following. Their Secret Society of the Stockhouse – a membership program offering select perks to regulars – sold out in less than four days.

But it's a sign of things to come for the brewery, which will be built on a sense of camaraderie and neighborliness. For instance, a "Pay it Forward Beer Board" behind the bar will encourage customers to buy their neighbors a beer.

"Maybe Bob was nice enough to shovel your walk ... you can buy him a beer," Mahoney says. "We’ll put his name on the board and the next time he’s in, he can drink that beer. We want it to be the sort of thing where people should check the board first thing when they come in."

The idea engenders a nice neighborly feel, says Mahoney, and it gives people a reason to come back.

Hepp agrees. "In addition, we also really want to engage the community in giving back to charitable organizations that are near and dear to their hearts," he says.

"I grew up in a small town just north of Madison, and it was the sort of place where you really had that neighborhood feel built in. Milwaukee is a much bigger place, and sometimes it’s big enough where you can get to feeling a little lost in it. So I’m really looking forward to really embracing that neighborhood aspect of the brewery."