It’s a testament to the popularity of the Free State Brewing Co., 633 Mass. St., that at 4:45 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon, the bar is far from empty. Since 1989, it has been a prominent business in downtown Lawrence and a watering hole for students looking for locally brewed beer.

Proprietor Chuck Magerl attributes the popularity of the bar to avoiding a “niche” and keeping Free State accessible to everyone. This philosophy includes keeping prices moderate for families and frugal college students.

“We’re different from a lot of national chains and have the ability to have unique and special foods and beers at a good value,” Magerl said.

According to an article Cindy Higgins wrote for Kansas History, Free State was the first legal brewery in Kansas to open since the state’s 1881 law prohibiting beer manufacturing. In 1987 Kansas legislators passed new laws that eased brewing restrictions.

Before the national Prohibition, Kansas had a strong brewing business, supported largely by the many German immigrants in the area. Free State helped lead the renovation and revival of the 600 block of Massachusetts Street.

This year, Free State made history by becoming the first Kansas-brewed beer to be served at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. The beer brewed at Free State is sold to a wholesaler and then distributed. Other establishments in Lawrence, such as Liberty Hall and the Sandbar, have Free State beer on tap.

“Anything you can do that’s local is always great, and it’s a great beer,” said Sandbar Manager David Johanning.

Liberty Hall has served Free State beer for the eight years Genelle Denneny has been the bar manager there. She echoed Johanning’s sentiment of wanting to support a local business.

“Customers are familiar with it. They love having it,” Denneny said.

Free State has tried to return the favor for other local businesses since it has been open by buying local produce. It has also actively participated in environmental issues by composting its waste and recycling for more than 10 years, putting it ahead of the recent attention given to these issues.

Free State’s longevity has also helped the business prepare for the busy times of year.

“We always know when the fall break is coming up, and we are better able to take care of customers,” Magerl said.

The students see this special care, and it is appreciated.

“I think it’s cool that they have the Monday night beer specials,” Salina junior Sara Thompson said. “And they have really good beer. That’s always important, and they have pretty delicious food.”

Luis Santacruz, Asuncion, Paraguay, senior, had nothing but good things to say about the bar.

“First of all, I like the entire bar concept of having a microbrewery on site,” he said. “I also like the front porch. It’s a good place to spend your summer afternoon.”

In addition to the atmosphere, Santacruz goes for the beer brewed by Free State.

“There’s one which I really like, the Ad Astra,” he said. “The flavor is bold and refreshing at the same time, and it’s not like other ales. It’s easy to drink and enjoy.”

Magerl said 25 percent to 35 percent of the customer base was students. He also knows the day-to-day ebb and flow of the student clientele, and says that after 10 p.m., student business is more concentrated. Magerl has no problem with this, even though financially inhibited college students might not bring in as much revenue as customers in an area with more cash flow.

“It’s a livelier and more cultural mix from a college crowd than you get in an urban setting,” he said. “I enjoy seeing the KU influence, and it’s hard to imagine doing what we do anywhere else.”

This influence extends to the staff, which has a mix of theater, pre-nursing, psychology and education majors.

“The university brings a wide array of academic background into the employment mix,” Magerl said.

Locally brewed beer, supporting Lawrence business and a mini-history lesson all justify a trip to this landmark, and the best kind of landmark at that: one at which people can become inebriated.

— Edited by Amelia Freidline