Lucky Bucket Exclusive

Lucky Bucket has shared with us an exclusive look at their current operations and team.  And, some things on the horizon for the brewery.

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La Vista, Nebraska – Things are hopping at Lucky Bucket Brewing Company in middle of their fourth year of operations.  While Lucky Bucket’s Lager continues to enjoy increasing popularity in Nebraska and five other states, the Company’s spring release of its Heartland Wheat has been a pleasant surprise for Jason Payne, Lucky Bucket’s general operating partner.  “We really thought that the Wheat Beer was going to take some of our Lager sales down but we were pleasantly surprised when the opposite happened”.  Payne runs most of the day-to-day operations at Lucky Bucket with Mike Cunningham leading the day brewing shift and Jake Mahler heading up the night brew crew.

Payne’s partner, Brian Magee assists on the business, marketing and branding side.  “We’re having a great year.  We’re expecting to see production increase by about 3,000 barrels and hit close to 8,000 barrels this year”, said Magee.

The locally owned brewery has just released it’s first in a quarterly series of seasonal beers that will continue to be released on an annual basis.  Lucky Bucket’s Oktoberfest hit the shelves last week and sales have been brisk.  In packaging akin to the Company’s other releases, the seasonal beers will always have a similar look but distinguish themselves from each other with icons that play on the particular beer.  The company’s next seasonal beer, a spiced Belgian abbey ale called Snowsuit Ale will be released in November.

Sales Manager Chris Sund, has craft beer sales experience in all areas where craft beers are sold; on-premise management at Lazlo’s Brewery, distribution sales at Premiere Midwest, the company that distributes Lucky Bucket in the Omaha area, and now as Lucky Bucket’s Sales Manager.  Sund says that other beers will most likely be introduced in the future.  “As we become more established we’ll be looking at other beer styles that will have year-round availability.  Most breweries follow that track and we see it as a good path to continued growth by appealing to all the different palates out there”.

Co-founder and former president Zac Triemert left the Company in May to pursue other interests.  “Zac was an integral part of our startup and establishment of the Company’” said Magee.   “He’s moved on to pursue other interests but we still have the core of our employees who’ve been making both our beers and spirits (for Solas Distillery) here for several years”.

In the meantime Lucky Bucket will continue to crank out great products.  “We’re putting a major focus now on consistency and quality with a new lab and a huge beer cooler”, says Payne.  “We’re moving to another level and we want to ensure that we hit the mark with every Lucky Bucket beer that’s poured”.