Our Story

In the spring of 2021, Hillside Group LLC, made up of eight families with local ties specializing in commercial real estate, purchased the "Old Waters Hardware Building." The building had been vacant for 25 years and was in significant disrepair. Initially, the plan was to remodel it for pediatric therapy services, but the high remodeling costs made the proposed rent too expensive, so another purpose had to be found.

Hillside Group believed the space was perfect for a brewery. Junction City Main Street, also formed in the spring of 2021, supported the idea as they too believed a brewery would help reinvigorate downtown JC. The next step was to turn this dream into a reality.

In January 2022, 28 local families partnered with Hillside Group to establish Highwind Brewing Company, a brewery created by and for the people of Junction City. Demolition began in July 2022, and construction started in September 2022.

The brewery is named after a common Kansas phenomenon: high winds. As Kansas natives, we wanted a name that reflected our environment. After much deliberation, Casey Butler proposed "Highwind," inspired by windmills she saw while traveling west on I-70. The name is fitting, as high winds are officially defined as those exceeding 40 miles per hour. In both 2022 and 2024, the Junction City/Fort Riley area experienced high wind events exceeding 90 mph, yet there was no damage to Highwind Brewery, and not a drop of beer was spilled.

Construction on the first floor was completed in January 2024. For those interested in the details, the north side of the first floor had to be jacked up, leveled, and reinforced, while the south side required additional metal bracing, joist sistering, and supports for the second floor. The entire north second floor and roof were completely replaced. Two new stairways were built from the basement, one leading to the roof, with plans to extend the back staircase to the rooftop later. An elevator was installed, running from the basement to the rooftop, and the old freight elevator was removed.

Shawn Howard, our brewer, crafted our first beer, Bankside Blonde, on December 5, 2023—exactly 90 years after the end of Prohibition! Soft openings began in January 2024, and we officially opened on February 6, 2024, with six beers on tap and one kitchen operating. Shawn quickly added five more beers, and the selection has continued to grow. We now offer 15 beers on tap, a full bar, and two kitchens providing an upscale food hall experience. And we’re not stopping there—live music, beer tastings, kitchen specials, and more are on the way. We are always looking for new ways to engage with the community and give people a reason to visit downtown JC!

There’s even more in store! We plan to transform the unique basement, with its cut limestone floor, into a speakeasy, with construction set for early 2025. The second floor will become an event space for business events, receptions, showers, retirements, and more. Finally, the rooftop will feature a bar offering one of the best views of Junction City. The event space and rooftop are expected to be completed by 2025 or 2026.