VISION
Give People More Reasons to Gather.
Highwind Brewing Co. is the only brewery in Kansas with 20 rotating taps, 2 kitchens, and a hidden speakeasy below. We've built a place where food, beer, entertainment, and community live together.
And it all started with one simple idea: give people more reasons to gather. Backed by 28 local families who believe in the power of shared spaces, investing in our community is at the heart of everything we do. That's why we're always finding new ways to bring people together.
From Dream to Destination
Today, Highwind Brewing Co. stands as a vibrant anchor in downtown Junction City. What started as an ambitious preservation project has blossomed into a multi-level culinary and craft beer destination. We aren’t just a brewery; we are a community-backed powerhouse built to offer something for everyone. From our 20 rotating taps and dual upscale kitchens on the main floor, to our upcoming second-floor event space and rooftop overlook, every square inch of this historic building was engineered to bring people together.
But to understand where we’re going, you have to see where we started.
OUR HISTORY
Reviving a Downtown Icon
In the spring of 2021, Hillside Group LLC, made up of eight families with local ties, purchased the "Old Waters Hardware Building." The building had been vacant for 25 years and was in significant disrepair. While others saw a lost cause, the Hillside Group saw the perfect foundation for a brewery that could help reinvigorate downtown Junction City. The dream quickly became a community movement. In January 2022, 28 local families partnered with Hillside Group to establish Highwind Brewing Company—a space truly created by and for the people of JC.
WHAT’S IN A NAME
As Kansas natives, we wanted a name that truly reflected our environment, ultimately finding inspiration in a classic prairie phenomenon: high winds. The idea struck a founding member while traveling west on I-70, watching a horizon lined with majestic windmills.
The name "Highwind" quickly proved prophetic. In both 2022 and 2024, the Junction City area was battered by extreme weather events with straight-line winds clocking in at over 90 miles per hour. While the storms raged outside, our newly reinforced historic structure stood completely unfazed—and true to the resilient Kansas spirit, not a single drop of beer was spilled.
THE RESTORATION AND THE MILESTONES
Bringing a century-old building back to life required a monumental effort. We jacked up and leveled the structure, replaced the entire second floor and roof, and installed a modern elevator running from the basement to the sky.
History aligned perfectly for our first brew: we crafted our very first beer, Bankside Blonde, on December 5, 2023—exactly 90 years to the day after the end of Prohibition. We officially opened our doors on February 6, 2024, with six beers on tap and a single kitchen. Today, we’ve grown into a full-scale culinary experience featuring 20 rotating taps and two distinct kitchens serving up an upscale food hall vibe.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
We are just getting started. Construction is currently underway to transform our unique basement, featuring its original cut limestone floor, into a hidden underground speakeasy. Looking ahead, our second floor will debut as a premier event space, topped off by a rooftop bar offering the absolute best views of Junction City.
Every expansion, every new tap, and every event is designed with one goal in mind: giving you a reason to visit, gather, and celebrate downtown JC.
Meet The Team
Matt Hoover
Owner/Operator
Matt has called Junction City home since 1988. After graduating from Junction City High School, he moved to Lawrence to attend the University of Kansas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in science. He currently splits his time between Highwind and Geary Rehab. Matt enjoys playing slow-pitch softball and spending quality time with his wife and two daughters. His beer of choice is Mainstreet Wheat.
Jackson Glessner
General Manager
Born in Onaga, KS in 1998, Jackson graduated from Onaga High School in 2016 before attending Kansas State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science. With family roots in Junction City — his father, Rick, grew up here — he’s proud to be part of the local community. In his free time, he enjoys practicing magic, playing disc golf, and relaxing with his favorite beer. When it’s available, he loves the Wit, but Lite Wind is also his go-to.
Patrick Koury
Head Brewer
Patrick brings more than a decade of experience in the craft beer industry to Highwind, including six years as a brewer. His work has earned recognition at the California Brewers Cup and the California State Fair. He also holds a Business of Craft Beer Certificate from San Diego State University and a Professional Brewing Certificate from the Institute of Brewers and Distillers.
When he’s not brewing, Patrick enjoys cheering on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, weightlifting, traveling, and spending time with his wife Angel, their daughter Olivia, and their Shiba Inu, Usagi.
Carlos Botello
Head Chef
Carlos brings 17 years of hospitality experience to Highwind, with an A.A.S. in Business Administration from Manhattan Area Technical College. A veteran of hotel and restaurant management, he’s consulted on and launched several successful local restaurants, optimizing operations from day one.
Off the clock, you’ll find him grilling, smoking BBQ, hiking with his dogs and girlfriend, or gathered around a campfire with friends. Carlos lives for the outdoors, good company, and trying new things.