Story by Nikki McKim; graphic by Kinkaider Brewing, Co.
Kinkaider Brewing announces “Death From Above” the Hazy India Pale Ale, a Falls City inspired brew.
True to its brand, Kinkaider Brewing’s latest release weaves Nebraska’s folklore into a vivid and local expression.
This beer offers a distinct flavor profile and serves as a tribute to the eerie and enduring legend of the “Flying Man of Falls City” that resurfaced last fall in this newspaper.
From its inception over a decade ago, Kinkaider Brewing has consciously chosen to embed the tales of Nebraska within its brand identity. Owner Cody Schmick from Kinkaider Brewing explained this core marketing principle, saying “One of the things that I decided in our branding and our marketing plan is that we’re going to tell the stories of Nebraska”. This commitment involves an active and ongoing search for “folklore and tales, you know family stories that have been passed down”. Schmick further explained that these stories, whether rooted in “historical facts” or simply “wives’ tales,” provide the narrative backbone of some of these Kinkaider beers.
The process, as Schmick described, involves a multi-faceted approach.
“Obviously, we want to get some really vibrant visuals because that’s the first thing that’s going to pull people in. But then after that, you know, we want them to kind of find an Easter egg of a story”.
Schmick shared some examples of this storytelling in action. Devil’s Gap Jalapeno Ale, a popular beer of theirs, draws its mystique from the story of “Print, that was taken over the Sand Hills. Kind of a gangster, but a cowboy version.” The beer’s narrative culminates in Print’s fiery demise in Devil’s Gap, lending an “ominous history” to the brew. Similarly, Star Snake beer is inspired by a “UFO landing that happened in the 60s in Ashland, Nebraska”. These examples highlight Kinkaider’s consistent effort to connect its beers with Nebraska legends and towns, a tradition that “Death From Above” now continues with the legend of the “Flying Man of Falls City.”
The legend says there was an alleged encounter in 1956 by a Falls City resident using the pseudonym “John Hanks.”
“Hanks” encountered a towering nine-foot-tall creature who was described as possessing a metallic shimmer and adorned with multicolored lights on its 15-foot wingspan. “Hanks” speculated that a control mechanism might have been located within a panel on the creature’s chest. Author Ken Gerhard, meticulously describes the creature’s face as told by “Hanks,” noting its large, watery eyes and weathered, leathery skin that suggested a menacing presence. Gerhard also recounted that the creature emitted an unsettling hiss, the same one that had left “Hanks” shaken.
The creature took flight moments after the encounter, vanishing into the sky with an eerie, otherworldly screech. After searching for “John Hanks” last summer and fall there was no information on the man or anyone who knew him, or was there? Recently, the Journal heard from a reader who said they knew who Hanks was, but more about that another time.
The legend parallels this phenomenon and earlier tales, such as a 1913 syndicated newspaper column titled “The Flying Man” by Harry Irving Greene, which featured a man-like creature with bat-like wings and bulging eyes accompanied by a strange cry.
Schmick said the Falls City story caught his attention because some aspects of it are paranormal, some almost seem like it could be a spiritual being, and then some aspects of it seem like it could be like an alien-type being. He said it was a fun one to “dissect.”
According to Schmick, Kinkaider Brewing plans to distribute ‘Death From Above’ broadly across Nebraska, and it may become part of their core lineup. The beer is expected to be available at Kinkaider’s taprooms in Omaha, Lincoln, and Broken Bow, as well as select partner venues throughout the state.
“Death from Above” will tell the tale of the metallic, light-adorned figure witnessed in 1956. Was it a visitor from the stars, someone’s wild imagination, or simply a trick of the Nebraska night? This release is a testament to the enduring power of the local newspaper, a Nebraska brewery wanting to tell the stories of our great state and the secrets that may still lie hidden in the Falls City sky.
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