Big Grove tops off weeklong birthday celebration

SOLON - Area residents turned out Sunday afternoon and drank to Big Grove Brewery's first birthday.

Attendees mingled with friends and family, tossed beanbags and listened to area bands during the final day of a weeklong celebration of the business' first year.

The restaurant and brewery opened last Aug. 29 in Solon, and staff has hustled to keep pace with residents' thirst for fresh brews ever since, said Managing Partner Doug Goettsch. Looking back on the first year is exciting for the 47-year-old.

'It's exceeded every expectation that we've had,” he said. 'We're so happy with how Solon has responded to us and Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.”

Goettsch is quick to credit his top-notch staff, brew master and head chef as key components to the restaurant's success. He said the quality staff, good food and beer, and a focus on excellent hospitality all keep people coming back.

'I tell people I'm not really in the restaurant business. I'm in the hospitality business,” he said. ' My job is to make sure when you walk in the door, we take care of you from start to finish.”

Patrons seem to have responded well to that, he said.

For Solon residents Joan VanWhy, 50, and Brian Donohoe, 55, the diverse menu and great atmosphere is a welcome addition to their town. VanWhy said she's had friends from across the state visit to give Big Grove a try.

Matt Swift, a partner and part owner of Red's Alehouse in North Liberty and 30hop in Coralville, said the community and city officials in Solon were very supportive of the brewery.

'We tried to become a local place that can also be seen as a destination, and I think we achieved that,” Swift said.

Goettsch said the town's main street had only one other restaurant when Big Grove opened. A year later, a few more restaurants have opened or expanded in that area. Swift said he hopes Big Grove's presence helped encourage other restaurants.

Pam Johnson, 55, moved to Solon from Minnesota a month ago and already has been to Big Grove numerous times for the beer and food, she said Sunday.

'I moved here Aug. 1 and I became a fan instantaneously,” the self-proclaimed 'IPA girl” said.

Goettsch said looking ahead, he'd like to build a production site to geographically expand the consumption of Big Grove's beer. Swift said a more short-term goal is to ramp up brewing capacity to put Big Grove beers in more restaurants.

But for now, Goettsch said he and his staff will continue to focus on their service in Solon - even on the brewery's birthday.

'It's not a bad job. I show up every day and throw a party,” he said.

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