SHEBOYGAN – The new operators of the Kiwanis Park beer garden, nestled along the Sheboygan River, a tributary to Lake Michigan, see the beer garden not only as a place to share the love of craft beer but as a way to foster and contribute to the community.
Tributary Beer Garden, 511 Kiwanis Park Road, is reviving the beer garden that was closed last summer.
Der Sheboygan Biergarten opened in 2019 and operated through 2024, only closing in 2020 because of the pandemic and river flooding. A contract between John Powers, who first brought the beer garden to Sheboygan, and the city expired at the end of 2024, and there were disagreements over details of a new agreement.
Tributary will offer some German beer, but it’s bringing a broader emphasis on craft beers from local, national and international brewers through a rotating selection on tap. The new operators are also eager to collaborate with local businesses and organizations.
“We capture the heart and soul of a German beer garden, but we make it our own with leaning into the community in Sheboygan,” said John Bray, director of marketing for Tributary Beer Garden.
John, who has a background in technical writing, marketing and experience as a children’s book author, is embarking on the new venture this summer with his brother Jake Bray and wife Jessica Bray.
They moved to Sheboygan last year, though they’re no strangers to the city. John and Jake’s parents and sister live here, and they’ve loved the area when visiting during Christmas and the summer.
Sharing the love of beer and the craft behind it
Jake, a chemical engineer, level two certified cicerone and passionate craft beer lover, wants to feature a variety of beers at Tributary, with a focus on breweries dedicated to traditional brewing methods that can be time- and labor-intensive.
Visitors should expect to see new beers when they visit in an array of styles, like sours, porters, lagers and IPAs. Some are favorites discovered by the Bray brothers, like a Grand Rabbits cream ale from their hometown of Marquette, Michigan.
Jake also wants to share the stories behind the beers, which can enhance the drinking experience, and even invite breweries to the beer garden to share insight into the craft process.
“Every brewery can have their own little thumbprint that makes their own beer unique,” he said.
Jessica said Jake’s passion for beer is infectious, and she and John are learning so much from him about styles and taste.
John added that although they may not enjoy all beer styles, Tributary is about appreciating the craft behind the beer.
“I understand that it’s a well-made beer, and that the audience for that beer is here, even though that audience isn’t me,” he said.
Tributary also offers cider, and non-alcoholic beer and drinks, like mocktails, cold brew, Big Squeeze lemonade and 3 Sheeps Root Beer.
Collaborating with the community for Pilates in the park, Monday food truck nights and more
Jessica, a former teacher and school district coordinator with more than a decade of community engagement experience, is eager to collaborate with businesses and organizations in the area.
So far, she’s planning to host a Sheboygan Collective brunch, family event with Above and Beyond Children’s Museum, Pilates in the park, live music and Oktoberfest. Tributary will also be open during Brat Days.
“The community is helping shape what we’re doing here,” Jessica said.
Tributary offers some snacks, like bags of chips, popcorn and hard pretzels, but the Brays are directing their focus to deepening relationships with the food truck scene.
The beer garden is hosting food trucks on Mondays, already welcoming Big Squeeze Lemonade & Tacos and Wafflelicious during its soft opening. Tributary will also be tapping a keg of 3 Sheeps’ Shorts and Hoodies Pilsner on May 16.
Sheboygan beer garden to welcome community for grand opening in June
Tributary Beer Garden will host its grand opening the first weekend of June.
The beer garden is open 3 to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Hours may change over the summer.
Contact the beer garden at cheers@tributarybeergarden.com, and find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Tributary Beer Garden reviving beloved Sheboygan amenity this summer
Reporting by Alex Garner, Sheboygan Press / Sheboygan Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
