About Us

The history of Madhouse Brewing Company is undeniably tied to that of another (formerly) Newton, IA based beverage artisan–Jasper Winery. In 2008, Jasper Winery moved from its building in Newton to that of newly constructed winery building near downtown Des Moines. At the time, the winemaker at Jasper Winery, Mason Groben, decided to convert the old winery into a brewery.

Coincidentally, Allen Wells, CEO of Iowa Telecom, was looking into the option of moving a brewery into a space left vacant in the historic buildings previously owned by the Maytag Corp. Groben and Wells met and decided to join forces to bring Newton its first brewery.

Plans for the brewery began but were unexpectedly halted due to a failure to get a permit from the State of Iowa. After much legal debate, it was determined that state law forbade an employee of a winery (Groben) from also working for another manufacturer of alcoholic beverages (the brewery) as explained in Iowa Code Section 123.45. This outdated and poorly constructed section in the Iowa law nearly ended the brewery plans.

In January, 2009, Groben began an intensive campaign at the Iowa Capital to get the law changed. Groben was fortunate to receive the support of Senator Dennis Black, Newton Mayor Chaz Allen, and the many others who supported the bill. After several months of talking with legislators, Senate File (SF) 420 was passed and signed into law!

Following this change to the Iowa law, plans for the brewery were able to proceed. Approximately twenty investors committed to the project, and the purchasing of equipment came soon after. Madhouse Brewing Company began production in January, 2010.