It sure seems like the Hop Haus has been around for a lot longer than the four-plus years they claim.
In that short amount of time owners Phil and Sara Hoechst have gone from brewing beer in their basement, to establishing a mainstay business in the heart of downtown Verona, to construction of a new complex in the ever expanding Fitchburg industrial area off Seminole Highway.
Word of mouth endorsements—and great beer—have helped to build an impressive following in an area full of breweries and microbrew-based taprooms. You have to have something special to set you apart from that kind of competition and the Hoechsts seem to have done that.
We were first drawn to their tap room by the food trucks which parked out in their lot on Friday evenings in the summer. We came for the food and ended up staying for the beer.
One sign of a great beer joint is that everybody can find a brew they really like. This is particularly true if the people in your party have divergent (and opposite) ideas of what a beer should be. The Hop Haus delivers! Hoppy and cloudy or clear and crisp—you will find something you like.
Our first time playing at the Hop Haus was in August of this year. We found it to be a “cozy” space.
Now, we’re used to playing in small spaces. We often rehearse in my kitchen, we have serenaded my mother-in-law in her living room. At the Hop Haus we play in a rather confined space where we are surrounded by four wooden barrels filled with real, brewing beer! It takes a little effort to shoehorn everybody into place, but once we’ve settled in we are ready to rumble!
The fun part of playing here is achieving the proper balance. No, I’m not talking about striking the right mix of country versus rock-n-roll. It’s respecting the balance between the people who are there to enjoy the live music and those who are there to have background music to compliment their conversation. Or to watch the big game on the big screen.
Favorite Moment: Word association can be an entertaining game. Sometimes you just never know what phrases or words will be used to communicate an idea.
Our drummer had an empty glass so my wife offered to get him a refill. She asked. “What’re you drinking, Zach?”
“Um, I’ll take some more of that Lawnmower stuff.”
Fortunately, she knew the beer he wanted is called Yard Work. Close, Zach. Very very close. At least we know what part of lawn maintenance he’s responsible for!
We play at the Hop Haus this Saturday from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. If you have seen us there before you know this will be a great time. If you haven’t seen us there (or have yet to check out this venue,) give ‘er a shot! You’ll be glad you did!