About Empyrean Brewing Co.
Before Nebraska had a craft beer scene, we built one.
Everything we are today started in 1990, before the craft beer boom, before there was more than one type of IPA, and long before we knew where the journey would take us. We were just a small team brewing inside the original Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket—focused on flavor, tradition, and trying something new. What started as Nebraska’s first brewpub grew into Empyrean Brewing Co.®, now the state’s oldest independently owned craft brewery. We still brew in the Haymarket today, driven by the same curiosity we began with and the goal of crafting classics reimagined alongside the food it was brewed to pair with.
Ancient civilizations believed paradise existed at the highest point in the universe, within a fiery sphere they called “The Empyrean.” Inspired by this idea, we set out to infuse every batch of our handcrafted ales with our own notion of paradise. Take a journey with us, one sip at a time. Together, we Pursue The Brew®.
Before Nebraska had a craft scene, we built one.
Everything we are today started in 1990, before the craft beer boom, before there was more than one type of IPA, and long before we knew where the journey would take us. We were just a small team brewing inside the original Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket—focused on flavor, tradition, and trying something new. What started as Nebraska’s first brewpub grew into Empyrean Brewing Co.®, now the state’s oldest independently owned craft brewery. We still brew in the Haymarket today, driven by the same curiosity we began with and the goal of crafting classics reimagined alongside the food it was brewed to pair with.
See our full beer lineup | Learn our beer process | Read our reviews
WHERE TO FIND EMPYREAN BREWS
We proudly pour our small-batch brews exclusively on tap at:
Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill Historic Haymarket
210 N 7th Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
call to ask about beer Selection
Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill South Lincoln
5900 Old Cheney Road
Lincoln, NE 68516
Call to ask about beer selection
Ancient civilizations believed paradise existed at the highest point in the universe, within a fiery sphere they called “The Empyrean.” Inspired by this idea, we set out to infuse every batch of our handcrafted ales with our own notion of paradise. Take a journey with us, one sip at a time. Together, we Pursue The Brew®.
Empyrean refocuses on fresh, small-batch brewing in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket, with beers served exclusively on draft at Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill and FireWorks Restaurant.
Golden Cypher Hazy IPA joins the Empyrean core lineup. Bursting with apricot and juicy hop character, it quickly becomes a new favorite alongside longtime classics.
Long Route Peanut Butter Porter wins Untappd’s Highest-Rated American and English Porters
With Brewmaster Rich Chapin’s retirement, Tim Binderup becomes Head Brewer and continues Empyrean’s tradition of brewing classics reimagined.
To celebrate 30 years of Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill and Empyrean, a limited-edition Belgian-Style White Ale is brewed.
Empyrean begins incorporating Nebraska-grown hops into the Watch Man IPA recipe, bringing local ingredients into one of its signature beers.
Old Chicago requested a special brew for a tasting event and head brewer, Rich Chapin, created Long Route Peanut Butter Porter. An instant favorite.
Watch Man IPA joins the Empyrean family. As the brewery’s first full-time IPA in the year-round lineup, it brings a new kind of balance to the journey.
Empyrean launched two series that would shape the next decade. Beer Quest invited local homebrewers to compete quarterly — 40 winning recipes were professionally brewed at Lazlo’s, and several winners went on to become professional brewers. Brewed Awakening, meanwhile, brought monthly beer dinners to Lazlo’s Haymarket and Lazlo’s South, where Empyrean’s brewers guided diners through the art of pairing beer and food. Every dinner sold out for 10 straight years. Both series concluded in 2016.
Ground is broken in West Omaha for a new Lazlo’s location. Empyrean sets a new sales record of 3,200 barrels (100,000 gallons).
Burning Skye Scottish Ale is created, and FireWorks Restaurant opens adjacent to the brewery.
The new brewhouse begins operation. Empyrean is now the largest brewery in Nebraska. Dark Side Vanilla Porter® is created.
Capacity is increased again as Lazlo’s opens a second location in South Lincoln. Planning begins for a new brewhouse to handle the increasing amounts of orders.
Empyrean becomes the first craft brewery in Nebraska to bottle beer, marking a milestone for the state’s growing craft beer movement.
Third Stone Brown®, Luna Sea ESB, and Chaco Canyon Gold® lead the way.
Empyrean Brewing Co. expands and becomes its own company, continuing to brew inside Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill.
Construction begins on a new fermentation cellar in the adjacent Coffee & Spice Building at 729 Q St.
With the grand opening of Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill at 710 P St. on March 20, 1991, Lazlo’s is the first Nebraska brewpub. Approximately 500 barrels (15,500 gallons) of Lazlo’s beer are sold.
Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill is founded. Rich Chapin is chosen as Head Brewer and begins converting his award-winning home-brew recipes for the pub.