Highlighting Wim Bens & Lakewood Brewing

The Business:

Known for its “seriously fun beers,” Lakewood Brewing Company recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. The Taproom and Beer Garden features interesting flavors including a Guava Sour, a Salted Caramel Milk Stout and a Pumpkin-spiced Dunkel.

The Business Owner:

Born in Belgium, Wim Bens has lived in Texas since he was seven years old. His search for a Belgian-style beer led him to start brewing in his garage with a friend. This hobby ultimately led to a career change. In 2011, he earned his American Brewers Guild certification and opened Lakewood Brewery in 2012.

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The Case:

In 2019, Lakewood purchased an additional building. During the inspection process, Wim learned they would have to install a new sprinkler in order to bring it up to code. Not prepared for an additional $50K expense, Wim called the Chamber which connected him with the fire department. After a visit to the site and listening to staff explain that the space would mainly be used for storage, the sprinkler requirement was waived.

Main Takeaway:

Sometimes city codes aren’t nuanced enough to account for particular businesses’ situations. Having someone in your corner who can connect you with the right department can help you find a more tailored response to your situation.

Value of Joining The Chamber:

“Connecting people to businesses or connecting businesses to each other.”