Dry lake Brewing has only been open for about two years now, and it’s already a challenge to think of Great Bend without it. It has cemented itself as the prime place for locals to get together for a pint and/or cocktail or grab a bite to eat from one of the many amazing food trucks that frequent the back parking lot.
Dry Lake was named the 2022 Business of the Year at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet on Saturday, Feb. 25.
When someone strolls through the DLB door, they can be assured they will be well taken care of by the staff because at this brewery they not only serve up drinks, but they also aim to serve up a memorable experience every time. This experience is something that founders Ryan Fairchild and Kevin Burkey keep at the forefront of their minds when they plan or produce anything at DLB.
“First off, we just want to say ‘thank you,’” Fairchild said. “From both Kevin and I, from our families, from our staff. Everybody's been really supportive. People were willing to give us a chance and that’s huge.”
Burkey agreed that every person who stepped through their doors helped him know they made the right decision to open a brewery in GBK.
“Opening was overwhelming,” he said. “The response was fantastic. We had a couple of months where we were worried we were going to run out of beer. We’ve enjoyed being the first stop on the craft beer journey for some people. Great Bend has always been more of a ‘Bud Light’ community, and I think we've had a lot of people that start out with our Cheyenne Bottoms Pilsner that’s similar to what they were used to and have slowly migrated to find a new favorite. It’s been really cool to watch that journey.”
The founders left nothing to chance and did their homework to ensure that their dream lived up to the hype they created in their minds, and it all started with meticulous research, which just happened to include travelling to a lot of breweries and, of course, sampling beers.
“We talked to a lot of other breweries and the support from all the other breweries meant so much to us,” Fairchild said. “Talking to other people in the industry, and just kind of having been around different bars and breweries ourselves and seeing what we liked and what we didn't like, but also having detailed
conversations with other brewers and owners and seeing what worked and what didn't work and just doing the research helped us start out on a positive note.”
Burkey was quick to add that a key element to their success has been their staff.
“I've been to bad breweries, and it comes down to two things either as bad beer or bad people,” he said. “So, to be a good brewery, you need both good beer and you need good people serving it and also good people making it, and good people promoting it. I think we make good beer. I think we've hired the right people and we’ve got a good crowd. People that absolutely care about us. They want to see us succeed.”
Fairchild said one major priority is to make sure their staff is friendly and educated about the beer so they can help people who may have never tried craft beer figure out what they may like. With up to 12 beers on tap, even the most seasoned craftie-head can have a tough time deciding.
“Whether this is your first time here or your 100th time here, we want you to feel welcome and comfortable,” he said. “We stress engagement to our staff, and we want you to feel at home.”
Over the past two years, Dry Lake has grown its fanbase. It’s had to add capacity for more beer and introduced 16-ounce cans to go, so the proof is in the beer. It has hosted concerts, comedy nights, trivia nights, the Bike Brew Q pumpkin smash charity event, and sporting-event watch parties that have all created lasting memories for their customers and themselves. As the second anniversary celebration on May 6 approaches, the pair knows that while community is key to their success, their families and specifically their wives, Marisa Fairchild and Kelci Burkey, have been the lynchpins that have held the dream together.
“My wife has been an absolute saint,” Fairchild said. “So, I’m glad she’s been able to see it grow and see the positives of this and she is absolutely behind this 100%.”
“Kelci had to start out on faith just on an idea,” Burkey said. “Before there was ever any kind of plan, she had to kind of just get on board. She's had to make a lot of sacrifices. This place wouldn't exist without Kelci and Marisa for sure. Then, our extended families also pitched in, like having my in-laws in here helping paint and do demolition and I know my kids have had to sacrifice me not being around as much. So, it's been an absolute family effort.”
To keep up with all the exciting events coming up, be sure to follow Dry Lake on their Facebook and Instagram accounts or visit drylakebeer.com.
Previous Business of the Year Recipients
2021 Bryant Funeral Homes
2020 Mind Sculpt Games
2019 TCI Answering Service
2018 Keller Real Estate & Insurance Agency
2017 Great Bend Children’s Clinic
2016 Countryside Veterinary Associates
2015 Eagle Media Center
2014 Great Bend Co-op Association
2013 Great Bend Regional Hospital
2012 Rosewood Services Inc.
2011 Tim Miller Enterprises
2010 Kustom Floor Designs Inc.
2009 Eldridge Fencing Inc.
2008 Business Management Inc.
2007 Great Bend Tribune
2006 Central Kansas Medical Center
2005 Venture Corporation
2004 Adams Brown, Beran & Ball Chtd.
2003 Great Bend Feeding Inc.
2002 CPI Qualified Plan Consultants Inc.
2001 Doonan Corporation
2000 Farmers Bank & Trust NA
1999 Dillons Stores
1998 Stickney Distributing Inc.
1997 Office Products Inc.
1996 Fuller Brush Company
1995 Becker Tire & Treading Inc.
1994 Straub International
1993 Marmies of Great Bend