Kinship Brewing
In the last decade, the craft brewing industry has exploded, with breweries of all sizes popping up to offer unique and delicious brews to enthusiasts. One such establishment is Kinship Brewery, where the artistry of brewing meets a commitment to providing an inviting space for patrons. Baker Group played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life by handling the mechanical and plumbing work—and a little more—as the Waukee, Iowa brewery took shape.
Creating a Welcoming Space
Situated in the rapidly growing suburb outside of Des Moines, the vision for Kinship Brewery was to create a craft brewery featuring a welcoming space where craft beer enthusiasts could enjoy exceptional brews and a vibrant atmosphere. Baker Group’s involvement was initiated through a standard Request for Proposal (RFP) process and was structured as a design-build project.
“Initially, we were engaged specifically for the mechanical and plumbing aspects of the project,” says David Hanks, Baker Group Project Manager for Kinship. “This involved designing and implementing the systems necessary to ensure efficient heating, cooling, ventilation, and plumbing within the brewery.”
Baker Group collaborated closely with the general contractor, Estes, and the architect, Envision, to align their work with the project's design and construction requirements. Planning and design began in November 2019, the groundbreaking occurred in March 2020, and the project was completed in January 2021.
The Value of Experience
Baker Group’s extensive experience in working with breweries includes work at Exile Brewery in Des Moines. Hanks says this experience specifically proved invaluable as it allowed Baker Group to anticipate the brewery's specific needs beyond the building itself.
“To meet the timeline of the team at Kinship, we needed to be as efficient as possible,” Hanks says. “It helped that we had experience working in similar environments on other projects. There are a lot of unique aspects that go into building a brewery. We were able to anticipate issues that might pop up and work with our partners on the project and Kinship to address them without slowing things down.”
Moreover, Baker Group's problem-solving capabilities shone through when the brewery faced challenges related to equipment layout. Their familiarity with brewery setups enabled them to overcome issues and contribute to the overall efficiency of the project. One of the extra duties Baker Group took on was facilitating the efficient setup of the brewery vessels—stainless-steel tanks that are the most critical component of brewing operations.
Efficiency and Expertise
Efficiency was a hallmark of the Kinship Brewery project. The team at Baker Group worked diligently, ensuring that all mechanical and plumbing systems were meticulously planned and executed. Despite the complexities involved in setting up a brewery, Baker Group maintained a small team of skilled professionals, typically consisting of four to six individuals, ensuring a focused and streamlined approach.
“The project's success can be attributed to the flexibility and problem-solving abilities of our team,” Hanks says. “When issues arose, our team on-site was quick to address them, offering solutions that not only met but exceeded the project's requirements.”
Beyond Construction
What truly stands out in this project is the relationship that extended beyond construction. Baker Group's dedication and commitment to delivering exceptional service led to the procurement of a service contract with Kinship Brewery.
While the project was completed successfully, the ongoing service contract highlights the trust and confidence that Kinship Brewery has in Baker Group's capabilities.
“This was a project where our expertise and experience really added value,” says Baker Group Mechanical Engineer Tom Hardinge, a key member of the team servicing the Kinship job. “We were able to focus on more than just the building. We had a good handle on the process of constructing a brewery and we were able to help them problem solve. We are excited about the possibilities of continuing to serve Kinship as they continue to grow.