Big Muddy Brewing
Big Muddy Brewing is a craft brewery and taproom in Murphysboro, Illinois, founded in 2009, producing 30+ beers plus craft bourbon and root beer, distributed across 6 U.S. states and sold direct-to-consumer through its taproom, food service, event space, and on-site camping.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersMurphysboro, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Big Muddy Brewing does
Big Muddy Brewing is a craft brewery and taproom operator founded in July 2009 by Chuck Stuhrenberg in Murphysboro, Illinois, where it was the first production brewery in the city in over 50 years and the first production brewery south of Chicago since prohibition. The company's core offering is a portfolio of 30+ craft beers spanning year-round flagships (Saluki Dunkeldog, Peanut Butter Cup Stout, Vanilla Stout, Galaxy IPA, Blueberry Blonde), seasonal releases (Pumpkin Smasher, Oktoberfest, Winter Ale), and adjacent craft beverages including Big Muddy Bourbon (produced with heirloom Jimmy Red corn) and a cane sugar/honey craft root beer. Its product technology is conventional craft brewing with recipe differentiation, most notably the Jimmy Red corn bourbon mash bill that yields a distinctive nutty/sweet profile.
The business operates a dual-channel model: (1) wholesale distribution of packaged beer (12 oz bottles and kegs) through 15+ regional distributors across six U.S. states — Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and South Carolina — and (2) direct-to-consumer revenue from a 24-tap taproom, food service (flatbread pizzas, Bavarian pretzels), growler fills, tasting flights, a gift shop, an event space for private bookings, and on-site camping through Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp partnerships. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and no revenue figures are available.
The company is privately held, founder-owned, and employs 11-50 people. It primarily serves local and regional craft beer enthusiasts and event hosts in Southern Illinois, with a longer tail of wholesale accounts and out-of-region consumers reached via the distributor network. There is no disclosed institutional investment, no parent company, no cap table data, and no funding rounds in the source material.
Big Muddy Brewing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Big Muddy Brewing
- Legal name
- Big Muddy Brewing
- Website
- https://bigmuddybrewing.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Big Muddy Brewing is a craft brewery and taproom in Murphysboro, Illinois, founded in 2009, producing 30+ beers plus craft bourbon and root beer, distributed across 6 U.S. states and sold direct-to-consumer through its taproom, food service, event space, and on-site camping.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Big Muddy Brewing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Craft Brewery
- NAICS
- Breweries (31212), Distilleries (312140), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)
- SIC
- Malt Beverages (2082), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beer Brewing & Craft Brewing (AFAFAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA), Regional & National Breweries (THAFALAD), Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG)
Keywords
Where Big Muddy Brewing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Murphysboro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Big Muddy Brewing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Taproom Beer Sales: On-site sales of draft beer, tasting flights, growler fills, and packaged beer directly to consumers visiting the Murphysboro taproom
- Food Service: Fresh oven-baked thin crust pizzas and Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese served in taproom
- Wholesale Distribution: Distribution of packaged beer (12 oz bottles and kegs) through regional distributor network across 6 states
- Root Beer Sales: Craft root beer made with real cane sugar and honey sold in bottles and potentially on draft
- Gift Shop & Merchandise: Gift shop sales of merchandise and potentially packaged products for take-home
- Camping/Glamping Revenue: Camping opportunities through Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp platforms for RVs and tents on brewery property
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Big Muddy Brewing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Big Muddy Brewing is a Murphysboro, Illinois craft brewery producing 30+ year-round and seasonal craft beers (styles ranging from American Amber and Milk Stouts to IPAs and seasonal ales). The company also produces a craft bourbon using Jimmy Red heirloom corn and a craft root beer sweetened with cane sugar and honey, and sells these beverages directly to consumers through its on-site taproom with food service, brewery tours, an event space, and on-site camping, while distributing packaged beer to retail and on-premise accounts across six states through 15+ regional distributors.
Product overview
Big Muddy Brewing is a craft beer brewery and taproom based in Murphysboro, Illinois, founded in 2009. Its core product portfolio consists of two main pillars: (1) a diverse lineup of year-round and seasonal craft beers — including flagship styles such as Saluki Dunkeldog, Blueberry Blonde, Vanilla Stout, Galaxy IPA, Peanut Butter Cup Stout, and seasonal releases like Pumpkin Smasher, Oktoberfest, and Winter Ale — alongside a non-alcoholic Big Muddy Root Beer made with cane sugar and honey; and (2) Big Muddy Bourbon, a craft bourbon that notably uses Jimmy Red corn as its primary grain, differentiating it in the craft spirits market. Supporting the beverage offerings, the company operates an on-site taproom with 24 taps serving pints, flights, and growler fills alongside food (flatbread pizzas, Bavarian pretzels), an event space for private bookings, and on-site camping via Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp partnerships. The company also maintains a multi-state distribution network across Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and South Carolina.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Big Muddy Bourbon: Bold and smooth bourbon made with Jimmy Red corn, featuring a rich, nutty aroma with hints of caramel and vanilla.
- Big Muddy Root Beer
Products and services
- Year-Round Craft Beers Diverse lineup of year-round craft beers including Saluki Dunkeldog (American Amber/Dunkel hybrid, 5.4% ABV), Blueberry Blonde, Strawberry Blonde, Vanilla Stout (Milk Stout with Madagascar vanilla, 6.0% ABV), Galaxy IPA, S'mores Stout, and Peanut Butter Cup Stout (Milk Stout base with chocolate and peanut butter, 5.5% ABV). Available in 12 oz bottles and kegs through taproom and wholesale distribution for adult craft beer consumers.
- Seasonal Craft Beers Limited-time seasonal craft beer offerings for adult craft beer consumers, including Pumpkin Smasher (pumpkin ale brewed with real pumpkins and pie spices, 6.0% ABV), Oktoberfest (German-style Märzen), and Winter Ale (winter warmer with roasted malt complexity, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla). Available in 12 oz bottles and kegs.
- Big Muddy Bourbon Craft bourbon made using Jimmy Red corn, an heirloom variety with deep red kernels, as the primary grain in its mash bill. The bourbon delivers a rich, nutty aroma with hints of caramel and vanilla, smooth complex flavor with notes of roasted nuts, sweet corn, and subtle spiciness, and a long finish of oak and caramel, aimed at adult craft spirits consumers.
- Big Muddy Root Beer Non-alcoholic craft root beer made with real cane sugar and honey, providing a unique sweetness and mouthfeel balanced with natural flavors. Sold in bottles and on draft to consumers of all ages seeking an alternative to alcoholic beverages.
- Taproom Experience On-site taproom experience at the Murphysboro brewery featuring 24 rotating taps of draft beer (pints, tasting flights, and growler fills), fresh oven-baked thin crust flatbread pizzas, Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese, and brewery tours. Open Friday-Sunday with a family- and dog-friendly environment for adult craft beer consumers and groups.
- Event Space On-site event venue at the brewery available for private bookings, with indoor and outdoor spaces for private events, celebrations, and corporate gatherings booked by event hosts and organizations in Southern Illinois.
- Camping at Brewery (Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp) On-site camping experiences for RV owners and tent campers booked through Harvest Hosts (RVs) and Hipcamp (tents and RVs), allowing overnight stays on brewery property with access to the taproom and outdoor areas. Targeted at outdoor enthusiasts and travelers seeking a brewery-based overnight stop.
- Gift Shop and Merchandise Retail gift shop selling Big Muddy Brewing merchandise and packaged beer for take-home purchases, accessible online via the Square e-commerce store and on-site at the Murphysboro taproom.
Companies that use Big Muddy Brewing
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Big Muddy Brewing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature1 record
Big Muddy Brewing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Golden Eagle Distributing (Marion, IL)coreIllinois distributor based in Marion serving regional retail and on-premise accounts with Big Muddy Brewing products
- B & G Venegoni (Christopher, IL)coreIllinois distributor based in Christopher serving local retail and on-premise accounts
- AJ Maka Distributing (Elgin, IL)coreIllinois distributor based in Elgin serving northern Illinois accounts
- Lamonica (Love Park, IL)coreIllinois distributor based in Love Park serving northern Illinois markets
- Stern Beverage (Milan, IL)coreIllinois distributor based in Milan serving western Illinois accounts
- Donnewald Distributing (Greenville, IL)coreIllinois distributor based in Greenville serving southwestern Illinois markets
- Grey Eagle (Belleville, IL)coreIllinois distributor based in Belleville serving St. Louis metro area accounts
- Robert Chick Fritz (Springfield, IL)coreIllinois distributor based in Springfield serving central Illinois markets
- Kohlfeld Distributors (Jackson, MO)coreMissouri distributor based in Jackson serving southeast Missouri accounts
- Craft Republic (St. Louis, MO)coreMissouri distributor based in St. Louis serving St. Louis metro area accounts
- Golden Eagle (Hannibal, MO)coreMissouri distributor based in Hannibal serving northeast Missouri markets
- Paducah Distributor (Paducah, KY)coreKentucky distributor serving western Kentucky accounts including Paducah area
- Kirchner's Beverage Distributor (Lancaster, PA)corePennsylvania distributor based in Lancaster extending reach to East Coast markets
- Black River Traders (Flanders, NJ)coreNew Jersey distributor based in Flanders serving northeast US markets
- Carsill (Rockhill, SC)coreSouth Carolina distributor based in Rockhill extending distribution to Southeast markets
- Harvest HostsminorRV camping membership platform enabling Big Muddy Brewing to offer on-site RV camping experiences to their customers
- HipcampminorOutdoor camping booking platform enabling tent and RV camping at Big Muddy Brewing property
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Big Muddy Brewing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Boulevard Brewing Company: Long-running Kansas City craft brewer with a wide year-round and seasonal portfolio, taproom, and broad Midwest/east-of-Mississippi distribution; directly comparable business model at somewhat larger scale.
- 4 Hands Brewing Company: St. Louis craft brewery with broad style diversity, in-house taproom, and distribution into Illinois and beyond; comparable scale and direct overlap in the southern Illinois–St. Louis wholesale corridor.
- Half Acre Beer Company: Chicago craft brewery with year-round and seasonal lineup, taproom, and broad regional distribution into surrounding states; comparable Illinois craft footprint with a broader urban anchor.
- Three Floyds Brewing: Indiana craft brewer with strong brand recognition, broad style range including IPAs and stouts, and a destination taproom; similar craft positioning and reputation-driven growth model.
- Stevens Point Brewery: Mid-sized Midwest craft brewery with a similarly broad year-round and seasonal lineup plus multi-state distribution; directly named on Big Muddy's website and operates on a comparable regional craft production and taproom model.
- New Glarus Brewing Company: Wisconsin craft brewery selling exclusively in Wisconsin through a broad lineup of year-round and seasonal beers; comparable craft-only distribution philosophy and product style breadth.
- Schlafly Beer: St. Louis-based craft brewery operating its own taproom, broad year-round and seasonal lineup, and multi-state distribution across Missouri and neighboring states; a near-geographic match with Big Muddy's Illinois/Missouri footprint and similar family-friendly venue model.
Broad incumbents
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Foundational craft brewer with national distribution and a destination taproom and brewery tours in Asheville and Chico; serves as a broad incumbent comparison for craft taproom + multi-state distribution.
- Bell's Brewery: Established Midwest craft brewer with broad style portfolio, multi-state distribution, and a large destination taproom (Eccentric Café); comparable offering mix though operating at meaningfully larger scale than Big Muddy.
Emerging players
- Prairie Artisan Ales: Oklahoma-based craft brewery known for stouts, sours, and barrel-aged specialties with national distribution; comparable craft-brewery positioning and overlap on the stout-and-specialty end of Big Muddy's lineup.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Big Muddy Brewing social profiles
Digital presenceBig Muddy Brewing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Big Muddy Brewing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Big Muddy Brewing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Big Muddy Brewing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Big Muddy Brewing
What does Big Muddy Brewing do?
Big Muddy Brewing is a Murphysboro, Illinois craft brewery producing 30+ year-round and seasonal craft beers (styles ranging from American Amber and Milk Stouts to IPAs and seasonal ales). The company also produces a craft bourbon using Jimmy Red heirloom corn and a craft root beer sweetened with cane sugar and honey, and sells these beverages directly to consumers through its on-site taproom with food service, brewery tours, an event space, and on-site camping, while distributing packaged beer to retail and on-premise accounts across six states through 15+ regional distributors.
Is Big Muddy Brewing a public or private company?
Big Muddy Brewing is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Big Muddy Brewing founded?
Big Muddy Brewing was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Big Muddy Brewing based?
Big Muddy Brewing is headquartered in Murphysboro, United States, in the North America region.
How does Big Muddy Brewing make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Taproom Beer Sales are the primary driver. The others are food Service, wholesale Distribution, root Beer Sales, gift Shop & Merchandise and camping/Glamping Revenue.
Who are Big Muddy Brewing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Boulevard Brewing Company, 4 Hands Brewing Company, Half Acre Beer Company, Three Floyds Brewing, Stevens Point Brewery, New Glarus Brewing Company and Schlafly Beer. Broad incumbents are Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Bell's Brewery. Prairie Artisan Ales is listed as an emerging player.
Does Big Muddy Brewing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Big Muddy Brewing.
What industry is Big Muddy Brewing in?
Big Muddy Brewing's product category is Craft Brewery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFAAAA, Beer Brewing & Craft Brewing, with a secondary code of CRADAIAA, Beer Brewing & Brands. Its NAICS code is 31212 and its SIC code is 2082.