Meet Trevor Schaben: The Brewmaster Who Bet on Kearney

Back in 1999, craft beer wasn't really a thing in central Nebraska. That didn't stop Trevor Schaben. The Holbrook native and former USAF enlisted technician looked at the map, saw Kearney as the closest market where a brewery might actually work, and took the leap. Alongside his wife and parents, he founded Thunderhead Brewing, and more than 25 years later it has become a true local staple.

Trevor describes Thunderhead as "a pizza pub built around a brewery focused on making unique things from scratch." The brewery eventually outgrew its Kearney space and moved production to Axtell in 2008, but the Kearney pub remains the best place to get the full Thunderhead experience, from stone-oven pizzas to handcrafted favorites like Golden Frau. Trevor's own go-to order? A Thunder Pie pizza with a Honey Wheat beer.

Thunderhead's reach goes well beyond Buffalo County. Recently, on a flight home from Denver, a flight attendant spotted Trevor's hat and exclaimed, "OMG Thunderhead Brewing! We love that place!" As Trevor puts it, "Strangers willing to initiate interaction to tell you they love your place is pretty fun."

That kind of connection is exactly what Trevor values most about Kearney. "I love this community because they interact face to face," he says. "In an increasingly digital world, places where people enjoy each other's company in person are increasingly special."

When he's not brewing, you'll find Trevor doing yard work, gardening, or walking in Kearney's parks.

Stop by the Kearney pub to grab a pint, a pizza, some Thunderhead gear, or a gift card (redeemable at both the Kearney and Axtell locations).

https://www.thunderheadbrewing.com