REGIONAL FEATURE SudsMonkey Brewing Co. Brewery owner takes big risks, nds big reward I n 2009, Greg Plummer decided to take a leap of faith after more than ten years in brewing and leave his California home for Texas. “It’s like trapeze,” Plummer said. “There’s that moment where you have to let go of one part to grab onto the other.” Plummer, originally from the Detroit area, and his wife, Susan Plummer, decided to head to Central Texas in their RV. For six months, the pair looked for a place to plant roots before landing in Dripping Springs. They settled down, and Greg took a stable job in marketing. After seven years, he quit his job to start their dream business, Suds Monkey Brewing Co., with the help of his wife. The brewery opened at 1032 Canyon Bend Drive, Dripping Springs. In April, they moved into a larger space at 12024 W. Hwy. 290, Austin. The brewery features six signature brews, which Greg said have a “malty Michigan character.” Greg attributes some of his brewery’s success to two lucky moves that helped him weather the COVID-19 crisis. In November 2019, about four months before businesses shut down over COVID-19, Greg invested in a special permit that allowed them to deliver alcohol. He also converted an o ce into a kitchen, which later proved to be a lifeline by allowing him to stay open when beverage-only bars and breweries were forced to shut down. “That saved us,” Plummer said. By February 2022, Plummer expects to complete the transformation of a horse barn on the property into an indoor and outdoor bar and stage. He also plans to turn a large storage area into a replica of the original space opened in 2017. BY MAGGIE QUINLAN
Operations Manager Jennifer Carter and owner Greg Plummer cheers at Suds Monkey Brewing Co. (Photos by Maggie Quinlan/Community Impact Newspaper)
Suds Monkey Brewing Co. is named for its primate mascot. The brewery’s signature six brews also have corresponding characters. All have an alcohol by volume of 5.3%.
THE BREWS
ASTRO: BLONDE ALE A blonde ale with citrus notes released for the company’s rst anniversary
FUNKY: IPA A light amber IPA with a heavier malty body and citrus notes
Suds Monkey Brewing Co.’s avors are inspired by Michigan-style brewing.
SudsMonkey Brewing Co. 12024 W. Hwy. 290, Austin 512-222-3893 www.sudsmonkeybrew.com Hours: Wed.-Thu. 4-9 p.m., Fri. 2-10 p.m., Sat. noon-10 p.m., Sun. 2-8 p.m., Mon. 5-10 p.m., Tue. closed.
MONKEY TAIL PALE ALE American Pale Ale with ruby color, medium body and smooth malty taste
MOXEY: NEIPA Intentionally cloudy with low-hop bitterness
PUNK: PORTER A porter with
OAK BRANCH DR.
ZEN: HEFEWEIZEN A light-bodied, banana-forward Hefeweizen
chocolate notes and slight hop bitterness upfront
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