Mad Anthony Brewing Company opened its doors as a microbrewery in 1998 by original owners Todd Grantham and Blaine Stuckey. The location was nestled inside of a popular eclectic downtown restaurant and deli, The Munchie Emporium, well known for its large selection of craft and import bottled beers. When visiting, look for the names on the ceiling on the original side for members of “The Heineken Club” a highlight of the early Munchie days.
In September of 1999 Grantham and Stuckey purchased the restaurant from the original owner with the intention of combining the two businesses as their own, soon to be renamed The Mad Anthony Brewing Company even though many people still refer to it today as “The Munchie”. The demands and responsibilities added with the restaurant operation necessitated bringing in a third business partner, Jeff Neels, who serves as the President of Operations.
The trio purchased another building located in the parking lot of the restaurant in 2000 and began construction of the production brewery which would help them keep up with outside beer demand as well as give them the capacity to open more pubs throughout northeast Indiana. Our Auburn Indiana Tap Room opened in 2002 followed by Warsaw Lake City Tap House and Angola Lakeview Ale House (now closed).
In 2012 The owners opened a new concept, Shigs In Pit BBQ in downtown Fort Wayne, after several years’ experience of catering, vending, and competing on the KC BBQ society circuit. The success of that restaurant and being voted best BBQ in Indiana allowed the group to open two new Shigs In Pit restaurants in Fort Wayne.
Today we continue to operate both breweries as well as the 6 restaurants where we stake our claim on the quality and creativity of our beers and food as well as the clean facilities and friendly casual service we are known for.