We are in Bloomington right now, enjoying the local breweries and working on a property (more details when we purchase it officially!) for the future home of Towaki Brewing Company. Here is a little more about who we are, how we got here, and what we plan to do.
Towaki Brewing Company was conceptualized in 2023 after a series of life-changing family events sparked the need to close our 5-year-old Guardian Brewing Company in Saugatuck, Michigan and move it under a new name to Bloomington, Indiana. Guardian Brewing Company was successfully owned and operated by Kim Collins and Kate Bishop from 2018-2024.
In 2012, prior to owning Guardian Brewing Company, Kim and Kate moved to Colorado from Bloomington. Kate took a position as the Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for Metropolitan State University of Denver. In that same year, Kim left a university career in outdoor adventure to boldly leap into the beer industry. Both women were homebrewers for several years before this move. Their love for craft beer only grew stronger as Kim gained brewing knowledge and experience. Kim enrolled in a Master Brewers’ Association of the Americas (MBAA) Malting and Brewing Course in 2012 and her career as a brewer began one month later. Her humble beginnings as an apprentice for Tommyknocker Brewing Company in Idaho Springs, Colorado quickly manifested into a position as a part-time brewer. Within a short amount of time, this position opened the door for her to acquire Full-Time Brewer and Head Brewer positions with Boulder Beer Company, Epic Brewing Company Denver, Barrels and Bottles Brewery and Wynkoop Brewing Company.
When Kim was the Head Brewer for Barrels and Bottles, from 2015 – 2017, she was one of three female Head Brewers in the state of Colorado. In 2017, Kim was awarded a Pink Boots Society Scholarship to attend and earn a Certificate in the “Business of Craft Brewing” through Portland State University. To learn more about beer packaging, Kim won a scholarship to attend the 2022 MBAA Brewery Packaging Technology Course in Madison, WI, where she learned the essentials needed to successfully bring her beer into distribution. For six years, Kate successfully managed the everyday operations of Guardian (Scheduling, Human Resources, Budgeting, and Finances) where Kim was the mastermind of beer production, creation, and execution.
Their beginnings were modest, but after over five years in the brewing business, Kim and Kate have a solid path ahead of them paved with thousands of online followers, many brewing awards, over 54 articles about Guardian, and other successes to look back on. Below are some of our reviews of Guardian Brewing Company throughout their five plus years in business.
“If you’re anywhere near Saugatuck & like beer, don’t think, just stop here. You won’t regret it! Every beer in our flight was delicious, staff was amazing, food was great. Love the atmosphere & all the decor. Great indoor space & a dog-friendly patio. One of my favorite breweries I’ve been to in a while!” – A. Casey, 2023
“The Guardian is a great little brewery in a very cool setting. They’ve done an amazing job over the last couple of years creating a beautiful little space and gorgeous patio. Combine the physical elements with the extremely friendly and attentive staff and you have a place you’ll visit again and again. As a brewery of course delicious beer is top of the menu list but they also have a full bar and a wonderful menu. Plenty of options to choose from and tons of vegetarian and vegan alternatives.” – T. Brooks, 2024
“My husband and I are huge beer drinkers, and this place exceeded expectations. I’m shocked the reviews aren’t even higher for this place. The food was amazing, and the beer is spot on. They had 21 beers on tap, all made in house. We tried 10 of them and every single one was unique and incredible. It’s only been open since December, and if the quality is this great for a newer place I can’t wait to see what they are capable of. Atmosphere was awesome and the staff was great. If you haven’t been here yet, you are missing out!” – C. Chick, 2018
“Guardian is a great welcoming, family-friendly spot to get drinks and eat! They have quite an extensive beer and wine menu with some truly unique options. I really enjoyed the “Werk Boots” Lemonade Shandy. We ate chips and guacamole, spicy chicken tacos, and the pork taco salad. Food came quickly and was a satisfying addition to the beer. We also enjoyed the card trivia games they had available. We’re from out of town but stopped here to support this LGBT-owned business and hope to return! Definitely worth a stop after your trip to the beach. Also love the music decor!” – M. Mantica, 2021
After successfully transforming Guardian Brewing Company from a historical theater into a booming brewery and restaurant, Kim and Kate have proven that they can accomplish their goals. The desire to continue their brewery dream did not end in Michigan in 2024. They plan to continue what they started seven years ago, but with a new name and a new space (albeit very familiar) in Bloomington, Indiana in 2025.
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