Meet the Brewer: Wake Brewing
The number and variety of breweries in the area has exploded in recent years. But where do these brewers come from? How do you become a brewer? While some come from engineering and chemistry backgrounds, others come from a more artistic background and have found their passion for creating music in our rich and diverse music scene as an inspiring cornerstone for a career in craft beer.
I spoke with Justen Parris who, along with his brother Jason, own and operate Wake Brewing in Rock Island. Wake is known for its “Doom Metal” inspired ethos and recently hosted a concert in their parking lot consisting of music acts both local and from out of the area representing a full spectrum of live metal music.
How long have you two been brewing?
“About 10 years”
What was the beer that influenced you to get into craft beer or to start brewing yourself?
“Bert Grant’s Perfect Porter. Jason and I were on tour in Athens, Georgia and discovered it in a Mellow Mushroom. We’ve always been inspired by the more ‘out there’ brands like Dogfish Head, Three Floyds, or anyone really pushing boundaries.”
Your tap list is usually pretty balanced when it comes to classic styles and innovative new styles. Why is having that balance important to your brand rather than just having a focus on one or the other?
“We brew whatever we have an interest in whether it's creative based or a classic style. We like to keep the tap list rotating so when people come back in there are completely different beers than the last time they were in. Some beers come back on more than others based on what people ask for, but for the most part we just brew whatever we want.”
The Quad Cities brewing industry continues to grow and it seems like homebrewing roots are common for those who start their own brewery in the area. Can you talk a little about your experience with the local homebrewing community?
“It’s really reminiscent of the first craft beer wave of the early 90’s. Those guys were starting breweries without formal training, brewing schools, or even the internet and still were able to make iconic beer, some of which are still around today. We were involved in MUGZ and REFS homebrew clubs like many of the other guys that started their own breweries around here. There’s a lot of smart people making beer around the Quad Cities, people with engineering experience and other trades that cross over into brewing. We have a lot of ‘pub’ size breweries that aren’t big manufacturing plants so it’s a scale that makes sense for those with a background in homebrewing.”
You mentioned touring with Jason; music is obviously a huge inspiration and influence in your brand and products, tell me a bit about that connection.
“Music has always been a huge part of our lives. Both Jason and myself played and supported various types of music through the years. Brewing beer is an artform much like making music. It’s a collaboration of ideas, through trial and error with a bunch of practice a tangible piece of work can emerge. Inspiration from music is pretty much all over every aspect of our products, some from initial conception through collaborations. Others could be from what we were listening to during the brewday.”
You recently hosted a big concert in your parking lot over the 4th of July weekend. When it comes to live music at your brewery what have been some of your favorite acts and how have those acts reflect the art you’re creating in your product?
“All the bands we have had at the brewery have been amazing. They all have some connection either through collaborations on a beer or bands we wanted other people to witness live that they may not have had the opportunity to see before.”
Wake has been sponsoring live music on both sides or the river at venues like RIBCO and the newly re-launched Racoon Motel. What’s the importance behind that for you?
“We can’t set up a stage in our parking lot every week to host our own shows. There’s a lot of great bands that come through that we want to help perform around here and again, give the community the opportunity to see things that they might not have had the chance to see. That’s something we’ve been doing for years even before the brewery.”
Wake participates in events in bigger markets outside of the Quad Cities like Philadelphia and Los Angeles. How did that come to be and why is that important to your brand?
“I guess the short answer is we were invited. We’re only participating in events that directly coincide with our brand which fits in a small niche. Being a part of those events not only gets our brand out there but allows us to represent the Quad Cities. Maybe some of those people will end up coming to our brewery and when they do hopefully they’ll try some of the other breweries around us too.”
Wednesday seems like a pretty popular day for Wake. What all do you have going on?
“We have Floyd’s Burgers food truck every Wednesday and alternate ‘Wax On, Wax Off” and ‘Eat the Streets' every other Wednesday. For ‘Wax On, Wax Off’ you can bring in your favorite vinyl records and we’ll give them a spin. It’s anything goes so it doesn’t have to be something we would normally play in the tap room. For “Eat the Streets” we showcase a second food truck along with Floyd’s, the second truck is always rotating depending on who is available so it gives a little variety.”
I noticed a food truck out back that says Darkside, Wake & Floyd’s on the side, what’s the scoop on that?
“I can’t really disclose what’s going on with that just yet. Just follow us on our socials and you’ll get the info shortly.”
Your anniversary party is coming up pretty soon, what can people expect from that event?
“It’s our 3rd and 4th anniversary party since we didn’t get to celebrate last year. Friday, September 10th, is free with four bands and food trucks. Saturday September 11th, is only $5 for six bands that cover the full spectrum of metal.”
About the Author:
Charlie Cole is a professional brewer and multimedia beer promoter. He is a graduate of St. Louis University in Brewing Science and Operations as well as University of Vermont and San Diego State University in Business of Craft Beer. He has been a previous brewer at three Quad Cities breweries and co-hosts the What’s Tappening weekly local beer segment on 97X FM.