Karben4 Brewing is a craft brewery located in Madison, Wisconsin. It was started by three individuals, two of whom are brothers from Appleton , WI, named Ryan and Zak Koga, and the third partner was Alex Evans. The brewery’s location is situated on Kinsman Boulevard in what used to be the original Ale Asylum Brewing Company location. Ryan gained his brewing experience as brewer for Yellowstone Valley Brewing in Billings, Montana.
While taking over the old Ale Asylum space, Karben4 also purchased some its on-site equipment, including much of the brewhouse, bottling line and cold storage facilities. Other elements are news. Before firing up the brew kettle, they installed three new 30-barrel fermenters, as well as several pieces of equipment essential for transferring, filtering and conditioning beer, including a grain mill and hot liquor tank.
Karben4 opened its doors in 2012 with a focus on creating unique and flavorful beers. Karben4‘s first brew was a porter named NightCall made with beechwood-smoked malt. They quickly gained a reputation for their innovative approach to brewing and their commitment to quality. The brewery has a wide range of beer offerings, including ales, lagers, stouts, and IPAs, each with its own distinct character and flavor profile.
Karben4‘s taproom offers a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere where visitors can enjoy a wide variety of beers on tap. They have a diverse lineup of beers, including IPAs, stouts, lagers, and seasonal offerings. Some of their popular beers include Fantasy Factory IPA, Dragon Flute Belgian Pale Ale, Lady Luck Irish Red Ale, and Tokyo Sauna Imperial Stout.
After finding incredible success with Fantasy Factory on tap, they realized that it was going to be their first packaged offering. Spending months trying to come up with ideas, Ryan stumbled across an art piece by Jason Heuser. Ryan, Zak and the team immediately fell in love and knew that that piece embodied Fantasy Factory. Eventually Ryan and Jason connected and, after meeting in person it became clear that these guys were meant to work together and be friends.
Jason is also the artist behind Hawk Jones, Kwik Trip Series, Bloc Party, Dragon Flute, Lady Luck, Radikatz, America Af, Tokyo Sauna, Simply Dusty, Idiot Farm, Night Call, Diet Starts Tomorrow, Martian Sunrise, Narnia Business, Poco Loco, Notella, Oaktober, Outer Spaced, and more.
Karben4 dedicated months to daily discussions, exchanging ideas in search of the perfect name for their new brewery. They aimed to avoid anything too confining or narrowly themed. Then, one fateful day at the Old Fashioned, the phrase “Carbon 12” emerged. While they didn’t despise it, they weren’t particularly fond of the appearance of “Carbon.” With further contemplation, experimentation with phonetic variations, a touch of chemistry, and, naturally, a bit more imbibing, Karben4 was born amidst a feast of overstuffed chicken wings at Sala Thai.
Carbon serves as the fundamental building block of our world, unleashing boundless possibilities. Likewise beer embodies the same infinite potential. Throughout history, beer has shaped civilizations, molded nations, and continues to evolve and thrive. By choosing the name Karben4 for their brand, brewery, and company, they wanted to create something that symbolizes limitless growth, vitality, and progression. The number 4 also draws inspiration from various sources, including the four valence electrons in carbon bonds and the legendary Green Bay Packer, quarterback, Brett Favre.
As for the logo, the hexagons of Karben4 underwent an evolutionary process similar to the development of its name. The initial logo and branding ideas were sketched on napkins, with one of the concepts featuring a hexagon in a corner. Over time, this design progressed and expanded into the four hexagons that are now recognizable. While the symbol does not have a specific significance, it does reference the hexagonal shape of benzene rings in chemistry.
During the initial years of Karben4, Tom Kowalke, would craft a unique painting to accompany each beer release. Karben4 developed the concept of establishing a visual bond with the beers, thus offering diverse avenues for guests to engage with their brand—through Tom’s artistry, the vibrant beer descriptions penned by Ryan, and, of course, the immersive experience of tasting and savoring the beer.
In mid 2022, Karben4 announced that it would bring back Ale Asylum beers, starting with Hopalicious, a year after the Madison-based brewery closed. All the classic Ale Asylum beers will be brewed again at the Karben4 facility in Madison, which is where they were first brewed when Ale Asylum was founded in 2006. The Koga brothers bought Ale Asylum brands after the brewery closed in 2022 after 16 years of business.
