Three guys who like beer start a brewery

ROCKFORD - Three friends have turned their love for beer into a business that takes the village's history into the future.

Residents Luke Stephenson, Luke Clouse and Todd McKee became friends through their passion for beer and opened Second Crossing Brew Co. in downtown Rockford.

The three wanted to make Rockford's only current brewery represent everything special about village.

Everything from the brewery's name to pictures lining the wall honor that history. They chose the name Second Crossing to pay homage to village founder Anthony Shane, who was given 320 acres of land in 1820 for his efforts in the War of 1812. He named the settlement Shanesville, which was later renamed Shane's Crossing.

Few to no repairs were needed at the building Stephenson has owned for the past couple of years, easing reconstruction, he said.

To accent the large brick walls, they added a bar and sitting areas made out of fired wood complete with metal chairs to create a rustic look. Pictures on the wall include one of the Rockford Electric and Light Co. that once occupied the same space, Clouse pointed out.

"Rockford was the first town in Mercer County to have electricity and lights going down the street, and they did it right here in this building," Stephenson noted.

"It was the birthplace of light in Rockford, and now it's the birthplace of beer in Rockford."

Stephenson and Clouse brewed beer as a hobby together for a couple of years in the building before deciding to turn it into a business, they said.

"We loved doing it, but it was an expensive hobby," Stephenson pointed out. "We threw ideas out to turn it into something that would pay for itself. The more we walked down that road, it led us to believe dang right we can do it."

Along the way, they realized they needed one more person to help operate the brewery, and McKee stepped up.

"I've always been interested in brewing, and it just worked out," McKee added.

Brewing beer doesn't feel like work for the trio, they said. The business opened about a week ago, offering eight varieties of beer. The owners hope to expand their offerings as they go.

So far customers have been supportive.

"The response has been beyond our expectation," Stephenson said. "We are thrilled to have our friends, neighbors and surrounding community members confirm to us that they enjoy our beers as much as we always have. It's been quite a journey so far, and this is just the beginning."

Second Crossing Brew Co. is open 3-10 p.m. Thursday, 3 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, follow the brewery's page on Facebook.