Beer & Growing

Ten years ago in August, Heather and Nate Entingh purchased the Wooden Keg and the laundromat from Ken and Nancy Heig, and now the Entinghs are celebrating.

Living in Cheyenne and coming to Kimball for the Farmers Day celebration, Nate and Heather kept an eye on the Wooden Keg. In 2012, the Wooden Keg was advertised, but hesitant to jump into the business scene, Nate and Heather waited. By 2014, the price had dropped, and they took the plunge.

They renamed the bar. Beer & Loathing was born.

But before they signed the paperwork, Heather worked the bar for six months to get familiar with the business and clientele.

Convinced that they got a great deal, they now kind of laugh and reflect. The building needed lots of attention and updates, including electrical and structural improvements. They got what they paid for, they decided.

Originally they lived in the apartment above the bar, but with the arrival of their boys, the area needed to be bigger and more suitable for young kids.

They have remodeled three times, including when they purchased the bar, then during COVID-19, and shortly after COVID-19, when they added a smoke room.

Looking back at the pandemic, Nate said when it hit, he kept asking, “Is it a joke?” Ironically, the liquor commission OK’d “drinks to go.” He said that was such a different and unique time, but the “drinks to go” has lasted and is still in effect.

The last 10 years have been a learning experience, especially learning to manage people and, according to Heather, “how to become a good manager.”

Nate said, “When you own a business, you must keep your team happy and build success.”

Nate and Heather agreed that the best part of the last 10 years has been when they have celebrated with people. They said celebrations of life, weddings and graduations have been special times at Beer and Loathing, and “it is good to be a part of them.”

They said Beer and Loathing is known for its creative environment, where people can be free of stress from their daily lives and connect with others. It is known, they said, for its “cheeseburgers and vibe.”

Nate and Heather have ideas for more improvements and construction on their buildings. Previously, above the laundromat, were 13 small rooms that were rented. Those 9-foot by 9-foot rooms had a sink and one bathroom with a clawfoot bathtub for all occupants.

They have cleaned up that little hotel above the laundromat and are planning on building a couple of apartments in that area.