Until Copper Eagle Brewery opens, the nearest brew pubs are in Kearney, Hastings, Columbus and Lincoln. The Houghs were so confident in their decision that they sold their home and five acres to pursue the project. The couple and their three children will take up residence on the second floor of the Red Rooster building, over the brew pub. It's quite a change for us, but we have such a good feeling about this and have gotten such good feedback from people that we know we made the right choice. The Houghs are now clearing the building, making way for the furnishings and equipment that will follow.
Plans call for the brew pub to open in the early fall.
Mrs. Hough said the building's two floors hold a total of about 15,000 square feet, with the space evenly divided between the two floors. The brew pub area will also include a large party room. Mrs. Hough will work there full time, while her husband will continue his job at O'Hara Plumbing. He will, however, be in charge of the brewing chores and will brew specialty beers and sodas a couple of times a week. He has attended courses in California to learn brewing techniques.