From Basement Brews to Nebraska Brewing Company: The Story of Kim and Paul Kavulak

For craft beer lovers in Nebraska, Nebraska Brewing Company has become a household name. Located in Papillion, Nebraska, the brewery is known for its wide selection of craft beers, strong community ties, and innovative collaborations. But the journey to building this well-loved brewery started with one man brewing beer in his basement over two decades ago.

In a recent episode of Restaurant Hoppen, Paul and Kim Kavulak, co-founders of Nebraska Brewing Company, sat down to share their entrepreneurial journey, challenges, and how they turned their passion for beer into a thriving business. From their unexpected entry into the craft beer world to becoming leaders in Nebraska’s brewing scene, their story is one of determination, adaptation, and community-building.

 

The Humble Beginnings of Nebraska Brewing Company

Paul Kavulak’s journey into brewing started in 1992 when he decided to experiment with homebrewing in his basement. Like many craft beer enthusiasts, he was intrigued by the science and creativity of brewing. But in the early days, homebrewing was a mix of trial and error.

“The first beers I made were horrible, but each batch taught me something new. I kept refining the process, trying to capture the flavors I loved in craft beers,” Paul recalled.

His first major breakthrough came when he attempted to create a beer inspired by Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. After multiple failed attempts, he experimentally dumped an entire bag of Cascade hops into the fermenter out of frustration. The result? The first version of what would become Cardinal Pale Ale, one of Nebraska Brewing Company’s flagship beers.

“I remember taking that first sip and thinking, ‘This is it. We could actually sell this.’ That was the moment it all changed,” Paul said.

At the time, Kim Kavulak supported Paul’s passion but wasn’t entirely convinced that homebrewing could turn into a full-time career.

“We had a good life, Paul had a great corporate job, and I wasn’t sure if we should take the risk,” Kim admitted.

But after years of refining recipes and dreaming about starting a brewery, the couple knew they had to make a decision: stay in their comfortable corporate jobs or go all-in on their brewery dream.

 

The Leap of Faith: Quitting Corporate Life to Start a Brewery

In 2007, while sitting at a restaurant discussing their business plan, Paul made a life-changing decision.

“If we don’t do this 100 percent, it’s never going to happen,” he told Kim.

Right then and there, he picked up his phone, called his boss, and quit his corporate job.

Kim, taken aback, realized there was no turning back. They were now all-in on building Nebraska Brewing Company from the ground up.

The first challenge? Finding the perfect location.

The couple chose Shadow Lake in Papillion, a newly developing retail center at the time. They opened as a brewpub with a small brewing operation, serving beer and food to guests.

“We wanted to introduce craft beer to the community and bring people on the journey with us,” Kim explained.

At the time, craft beer wasn’t nearly as popular in Nebraska. Many people had never tasted an IPA or barrel-aged beer. Educating the community about different beer styles became part of their mission.

 

From Brewpub to Full-Scale Brewery

The early years were filled with challenges. From learning the ins and outs of running a restaurant to navigating the world of beer distribution, Paul and Kim faced a steep learning curve.

But one thing became clear—their passion was in beer, not running a full-service restaurant.

“The beer was what we loved, and we realized we needed to focus on that,” Kim said.

By 2014, Nebraska Brewing Company expanded beyond the brewpub model, opening a full-scale production brewery to distribute their beer statewide and beyond.

The transition allowed them to:

• Brew larger quantities of their signature beers.
• Start canning and bottling to reach a wider market.
• Partner with restaurants, bars, and grocery stores to sell their products.

Over the years, Nebraska Brewing Company’s barrel-aged beers gained national recognition, winning multiple medals at the Great American Beer Festival. Their beer, Mélange À Trois, was even recognized as one of the best barrel-aged beers in the country.

 

Supporting Local Businesses and Building Community

Beyond brewing award-winning beer, community involvement has always been a cornerstone of Nebraska Brewing Company.

The Kavulaks have consistently supported small businesses, local nonprofits, and fellow brewers. Their taproom has served as a launchpad for local food trucks and pop-up restaurants, including:

• Comeback City Pizza
• Gerald’s Hideaway Burgers & Fries
• The Boujee Brown Box

“It’s about businesses supporting each other,” Kim said. “When we were new, we had bigger breweries helping us, so now we pay it forward.”

In addition to business partnerships, they’ve been actively involved in veterans’ organizations and community fundraising events.

“It’s not just about the beer—it’s about being part of something bigger,” Paul explained.

They also launched the Great Nebraska Beer Festival, which brought together dozens of breweries and introduced Nebraskans to a wide variety of craft beer styles.

 

Craft Beer Trends and the Future of Nebraska Brewing Company

While Nebraska Brewing Company has been a trailblazer in the state’s craft beer scene, Paul and Kim recognize that the industry is constantly evolving.

With more breweries than ever before and competition from ready-to-drink cocktails and hard seltzers, they are constantly looking for ways to innovate and stay relevant.

“We’re always asking, ‘Where is the industry going? How do we keep evolving?’” Paul said.

Their focus for the future includes:

• Expanding their distribution footprint to more states.
• Experimenting with new beer styles to attract younger generations.
• Strengthening their community presence by continuing to partner with local businesses.

“The beers your grandpa drank aren’t the beers your dad drank, and those aren’t the beers the next generation is drinking. We need to keep adapting,” Kim added.

 

Final Thoughts: More Than Just Beer

At the heart of Nebraska Brewing Company is a passion for craft beer, community, and storytelling.

From homebrewing experiments in a basement to becoming one of Nebraska’s most well-known breweries, Paul and Kim Kavulak’s journey is a testament to taking risks, believing in your product, and staying committed to your mission.

“It’s not just about making great beer. It’s about making meaningful connections, supporting others, and creating something that lasts,” Kim said.

With a strong foundation, an innovative team, and a deep love for the craft beer industry, Nebraska Brewing Company is poised to continue growing while staying true to its roots.

For anyone looking to visit, Nebraska Brewing Company’s taproom is located just south of 108th and Harrison in Papillion, where guests can enjoy a rotating selection of beers, community events, and, most importantly, a place that still feels like home.

 

This blog post is based on a transcript from the Restaurant Hoppen podcast episode released on March 13th 2025.

Dan Hoppen, host of Restaurant Hoppen podcast, peels back the curtain between diners and the people that make their food by interviewing chefs, restauranteurs, bakers, and others in the Omaha food scene. He takes listeners into the kitchen, where they get to meet the people who make Omaha’s culinary scene so spectacular and understand what inspires them to do what they do.

Edited by Grace Dunbar