Evil Czech brewery opens in Mishawaka

He refers to the Culver Evil Czech location as a test run.

“This is the real deal,” he says, looking across the dining room of his new Mishawaka restaurant, bar and brewery that quietly opened last week at 3703 N. Main St.

Some restaurants try to incorporate exposed ductwork and brick into their decor to try to make themselves look trendy. Evil Czech does more than incorporate gritty urban architectural trends.

There are polished bison horns used for the beer taps and wine barrel coffee tables in the bar. The restaurant embodies the minimalistic approach, featuring steel trusses, brick walls, concrete floors and wood tables that overlook the brewery.

The Peseks have designed a restaurant and experience that offers diners and craft beer connoisseurs a unique ambiance and distinct industrial feel from the moment they enter the former Mishawaka Brewing Co. building.

“What you see here represents people making products and producing things, like they did during the Industrial Revolution. We’re making beer,” says Tammy Pesek, George’s wife and business partner.

Then she stops and smiles widely at George, who defected from the former Czechoslovakia at age 17. During our walk-through, he is working near the huge barrels that are illuminated with blue lights.

“This was all his vision,” she says. “It’s all him.”

The Argos couple also operates the nearby Corndance Tavern on Grape Road, Mishawaka, as well as Corndance Cafe in Culver. The new brewery offers more than double the brewing capacity of the seven-barrel system in Culver to help keep up with the demand for their craft beers.

They grow their own hops used in such styles as John the One Eyed, Dracula’s Bite, Bobblehead and the Blonde Czich, which also takes the form of a mannequin in the restaurant lobby. Their well-known “hop” corn is served in the restaurant to bring out the flavor of the beer.

The Peseks have been in the restaurant business since 1999 when they opened the Culver Cafe, serving fresh bison from their 50-acre ranch.

As they promised before the $3 million project started last year, the couple have completely transformed the building into an inviting place where diners can enjoy a burger and pint.

Customers can stand at pub tables or sit on a black leather sofa in the beer lounge and not feel compelled to order food. There are four televisions.

“We aren’t a sports bar,” Tammy says.

The serving tanks that separate the bar from the restaurant serve as one of the focal points, and talking points, along with a giant homemade American flag made out blue jeans dyed red, white and blue.

“We’re well out-numbered by the chains,” George acknowledges. “But we figured why not? Why not bring our culture to Main Street. Maybe others will join us here.”

Evil Czech will wait a while before announcing its grand opening. There’s an unfinished room in back where Journeyman Distillery of Three Oaks will produce vodka.

And in addition to the 200-plus seats inside the restaurant and bar, there’s an outdoor patio to be completed in the spring.

Evil Czech in Mishawaka is currently open only for dinner, from 5 to 10 p.m., seven days a week. The bar remains open later each night. Beginning April 1, the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, starting at 11 a.m. daily.

You can find more information about Evil Czech Brewery on their Indiana On Tap brewery page.