Our Story

In the late 90s, when Jon and Chris met at the University of Colorado, they couldn’t have known that nearly 17 years later they would be opening the first (and only) beer brewery in Central Louisiana together.

No, at that time, all the Louisiana boy and Colorado native were focused on was drinking the “localest” beer they could find.

During their time together and the years following, Jon and Chris fell in love with the art of making beer. In 2009, Jon opened Fresh Catch Bistreaux, an authentic restaurant in Markville, Louisiana. It didn’t take long for Jon to realize the opportunity in front of him – what if he started brewing a local beer for regular restaurant goers to enjoy?

He called Chris. Chris moved 1800 miles away from home to small town Louisiana to open Broken Wheel Brewery with Jon.

Named after the story of Marksville’s founding, Broken Wheel Brewery pays homage to Marc Eliché, a merchant trader who broke his wagon wheel in 1809, built relationships with the local Indian tribe, the Tunica Biloxi Indians, and thus Marksville was founded. 

After opening Broken Wheel Brewery in 2015, Jon and Chris quickly turned to Gary Guillory, a home brewer with 16 years of experience. Gary is the do-it-all-yourself, jack of all trades kind of guy who learned how to brew good beer by brewing a few (hundred) batches of bad beer. Gary divulged invaluable information to Broken Wheel Brewery. Jon and Chris started brewing with Gary in his garage. Gary is very influential on Broken Wheel Brewery – so much so that Jon and Chris named their milk stout Grand Chein, or Big Dog, just like Gary has in his garage.

The overwhelming support Broken Wheel Brewery has received from the community makes coming to work everyday so much better. Broken Wheel strives to create an experience like no other converting locals into lovers of craft beer.