In the heart of Elkhorn, Nebraska — where sprawling Skyline Ranches meet the pulse of a growing town — Jukes Ale Works stands as a testament to family, grit and a cold, locally brewed pint.
Inside its cozy taproom, the clink of glasses mingles with laughter as the Jukes family — Kyle, Stacy, Brad, Jake and their tireless parents — pour their hearts into every batch of beer and every plate of food. This isn’t just a brewery. It’s a homegrown haven rooted in Elkhorn’s small-town spirit and flavored with the Jukes’ trademark blend of stubbornness and good humor.
The story begins in the 1980s, when Guy and Terri Jukes married and chose to settle in Elkhorn’s Skyline area. They raised Kyle, Brad and Jake among soccer fields and bike trails. Now the head brewer, Kyle chuckles, “I probably rode my bike past the house Stacy and I live in now a million times growing up.”
Stacy, a military kid who moved to Nebraska in 2001, met Kyle at a college party in 2010. That meeting sparked a partnership that would eventually become Jukes Ale Works. Today, their three children — two boys and a feisty 5-year-old daughter — roam the same neighborhood and attend Skyline Elementary just like their dad once did.
The brewery’s origin is as homespun as its atmosphere. Kyle began brewing on his parents’ kitchen counter after discovering an old Mr. Beer kit gathering dust in a closet. “I like to drink beer,” he says with a grin. “And figuring out I could make it how I wanted — that was the hook.”
What started with five-gallon garage batches became a full-fledged brewery in 2019. Kyle’s passion for water chemistry and hop balance — refined at the Siebel Institute — transformed recipes like Ninja Juice™ IPA (named by their then-2-year-old son) into local favorites. With hops from Christensen Hop Farm in Fort Calhoun and malts from Germany’s Weyermann, each pint reflects a dedication to both craft and community.
But Jukes Ale Works is more than just beer. It’s a family affair.
Stacy, now assistant brewer and event coordinator, once ran curbside orders during the COVID-19 pandemic with a newborn strapped to her chest. Brad, the general manager, transitioned from brewing to front-of-house operations to keep the taproom running smoothly. Jake, the youngest brother, leads the kitchen where happy accidents — like the creation of salted caramel wings — became menu staples.
Their parents — seasoned entrepreneurs from REI, Radio Engineering Industries — are the glue that holds it all together. Their dad, Guy, the self-proclaimed mascot, handles the hardware runs. Their mom, Terri, known as the “boss lady,” keeps both the family and the business on track. “She wears the pants,” Stacy says, laughing.
During the pandemic, the Jukes team got creative to survive, introducing themed dress-up days — Western, ’80s workout and more — and managing to fill 600 crowlers on a single Saturday. “We’re stubborn,” Kyle says. “Goonies never say die.”
That blend of resilience and playfulness defines Jukes. Beers like Rolly Squishy, named after Kyle’s mishap with a utility vehicle, come with their own family stories. As Elkhorn continues to grow, Jukes Ale Works remains at its heart — a place where teachers, neighbors and newcomers gather to share a pint that tastes like home.
I like to drink beer. And figuring out I could make it how I wanted — that was the hook.