John Schirmer’s exquisite hand-carved relief from original salvaged on-site train depot wood.
Fairfield’s newest, and some say sexiest, musical venue, located at the corner of 4th and Depot, opened its doors with a star spangled banner 4th of July weekend 2016!
“The eagle flies on Friday, Saturday we go out to play.” –T-Bone Walker
First envisioned twenty years ago, this striking, one of a kind, solar-powered, completely refurbished Depot Brewery has been four years in the making. Infused with handcrafted aesthetics, highlighting the work of over a dozen artisans including renowned wood carver John Schirmer, the Depot Brewery offers a full service bar with organic craft beer.
The Depot Brewery presented two longstanding area favorites to kick festivities off. Opening weekend featured packed houses with Jefferson County Green Band on Friday and Bambu on Saturday.
“Let the good times roll!!” — Sam Theard
- Hey everybody, let’s have some fun
- You only live but once, and when you’re dead you’re done
- So let the good times roll, let the good times roll
- Don’t care if you’re young or old, get together let the good times roll
The DEPOT BREWERY began as a vision of Bob and Judy Bernards 20 years ago when they purchased the depot train building in Fairfield, Iowa. The dream was to create a neighborhood family business in the heart of New Chicago, an area so named, some say, back as 1870 from the blacksmithing and train hub that connected Fairfield to Chicago.
A California couple who’ve lived in Hawaii, Tahoe, Fairfield, and managed a Harley Davidson touring company, launched their labor of love four years ago, focusing on a design space that would be ideal for live music. Bob jammed Fridays for years just down the street from the Brewery in a funky upstairs loft called The Boogie Shack. He performed in the 1990s with local group the Diamondback$, opening for the legendary likes Bo Diddley, Lonnie Brooks and L’il Ed & the Blues Imperials, as house band for over a year in a local New Chicago bar.
The Depot Brewery features the hand craftsmanship of over a dozen local artisans, including ace woodcarver John Schirmer, graphic designer Maggie Ronan, and others.
On Art Walk Friday, July 1st at 8pm, the Jefferson County Green Band took the stage, led by 4th generation Fairfield native Steve McLain and his wife Michaela A tight knit group of seasoned players born to let the good times roll, the Green Band may be remembered for their engaging performance at the 2015 Ragbrai or an alley concert at FAIRfest that had promoters from New Orleans talking about how blown way they were because it reminded them of being back home. The night was electric and the music was right on time! Here’s a live recording ( 4 song sampler ) of the show that night.