There’s nothing better than a cold beer and a bite after a busy week at work or even a long day. At Monolithic Brewing, celebrating its second year, the options are endless for customers to try a classic brew or even something called the Feisty Walrus.

Shane Costello, Head Brewer at Monolithic Brewing, was homebrewing for 10 years before getting Monolithic started with partners Todd Hartung and Derek Richards. Costello said his partners liked the beer he was making.

“We linked up and that was about 2015. We started looking for properties in late 2018 and early 2019,” he said. “A few of us live out this way and wanted to be in west Omaha.”

Costello said in January 2020 they signed on the building and construction got started before the pandemic. They opened around Halloween in 2020.

“It had its challenges,” he said. “Then they closed 120th Street a month after we opened.”

Costello said the first year was spent coming out of the gate with their beers and hoping they would be up to par.

“People say it takes a year for a brewery to find their way. We were obsessed with not doing that,” he said. “I learned a lot that first year, figured out the business, and had a lot of fun with social media.”

The first year for Monolithic Brewing was developing customer service, building regulars and a reputation with slow growth.

“In year two it will be getting our name out there,” Costello said. “Our neighbors didn’t know we were here. There are new events that will take place, too.”

For Costello and his partners, it was a dream to start this.

“From the first batch of beer I brewed I knew this was what I wanted to do,” he said. “I went to college for respiratory therapy. Science was my field, but I got to clinicals and realized that wasn’t where I wanted to be.”

Costello said he and his buddy bought a kit and he started brewing in 2011.

“It made sense to me,” he said. “I worked and worked at it and made it come to fruition.”

Costello’s favorite beer depends on the day.

“I love variety and that’s a big reason why we do that here,” he said. “There’s something for everybody on tap. Hazy New England IPAs were my obsession homebrewing and leading up to opening the brewery. They are super popular for us.”

Costello said he’s a classic brewer these days, with lagers and different traditional styles.

“It’s the stuff I wasn’t able to do homebrewing, but I can do it now,” he said.

The transition from home brewing to large batch was a process, said Costello.

“I had countless late nights thinking about everything,” he said. “Because of the preparation it didn’t end up being as rough as I thought it would be.”

Costello said none of his equipment came with instruction manuals.

“But luckily brewers around the area are a tightknit community and I was able to lean on the connections I made,” he said. “I’ve been paying that forward to new breweries opening up.”

Costello wants Monolithic to be a fun, happy atmosphere.

“We pride ourselves on the culture of our team and providing great customer service and making it a place where everyone feels welcome,” he said. “It’s like a local neighborhood brew pub, while we also are doing our best to make high end beer. We spare no expense [on] ingredients when it comes to beers.”

He said they are not aiming for outside distribution.

“We want to sell everything out of here,” he said. “We are not trying to get big. The main thing is keeping what we have. Our goal is to stay here and grow our business. We want to make a decent living and not overcomplicate it.”

Costello said there are 10 or 11 staff members who serve food from a smaller menu. Spirits, wine and non-alcoholic drinks, some mixed drinks, and seltzer are all available.

“We are looking forward to keeping growing. We are all about building relationships,” he said.

Costello said they have brewed 100 different beers in two years, with three always on tap. He said if a beer is popular, they will brew it again, but it might take six months before you see it again.

“We are really excited about what we are building here and if you are a fan of craft beer, follow us on social media,” Costello said. “We want to make great products, service and food but at the same time be a fun, laidback place, not pretentious. Come down and hang out with us.”

Visit Monolithic Brewing at 4915 North 120th St. Suite 102, Omaha, NE 68164. You can follow Monolithic Brewing @monolithicbrewing on Instagram and Facebook, and @MonolithicB on Twitter. For more information on what they have to offer visit monolithicbrewing.com.