Photo via Stonepicker Brewing Company Website
Born and raised on his family’s farm in the Forest area, Joe Donkers always knew he wanted to be a farmer. His parents bought the farm in the 1950s, and after growing up there, Joe officially took it over with his wife Mary in 1987. For many years, they raised pigs on the farm before deciding to retire from livestock in 2013.
After a well-earned break that included some time on the road in a motorhome, Joe and Mary discovered a new passion, home brewing. What started as a hobby soon turned into something much bigger. They looked into brewing equipment, took the leap, and opened Stonepicker Brewing Company.
The shift from farming to brewing was a big one, but for Joe, it felt like a natural evolution. He still lives on the farm where he was born, and while his son has built a life out west, Joe says he wouldn’t trade the farming life, or what it led to, for anything.
Today, Stonepicker Brewing is a proud part of the community, and Joe is thankful for the many loyal customers who continue to stop by. Whether it’s farming or craft beer, Joe Donkers has always poured his heart into what he does, right from the ground up.
You can listen to the full interview with Joe Donkers here: