Elkhart Lake's SwitchGear Brewing is closed indefinitely
Owner Dustin Dutter faces several criminal charges
ELKHART LAKE — One of Sheboygan County’s craft breweries has closed and its owner is looking for a buyer for the brewery.
Amid legal and financial troubles, owner Dustin Dutter has confirmed he has closed SwitchGear in Elkhart Lake and is selling off the equipment. “I have poured my heart and soul into every pint of beer we sold at the expense of my personal well-being and that of my family,” said Dutter, who has owned the brewery since 2021. “We are selling all the equipment, the brand, recipes, and much more.” He is facing multiple criminal charges for a number of incidents that allegedly occurred last year.
SwitchGear Brewing Company was conceived in 2016 by a group of friends and co-workers at Masters Gallery Foods in Plymouth. The passionate ownership team consisted of Nick Kullmann, Head Brewmaster, Ryan Feldmann, Assistant Brewmaster, and Mark Grasse, Operations Manager. The trio had high hopes for the craft brewery when it opened in May 2017.
“We will certainly please a broad-based group of customers with Bourbon Barrel Stouts, Red Ales, Various IPAs, Nut Browns, Smash Pale Ales, just to name a few,” said Kullmann. “Our brands will also make a point of respecting the grandeur of our local area with names such as Kettle Cream Ale and Resorter Red Ale.”
The business was sold to Dutter and two others in March 2021.
Legal troubles mount
Dutter’s legal troubles began just months after taking over SwitchGear. In August 2021, Jim's Golf Carts of Reedsville sued Dutter for $5,300. In February 2024, Dutter was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property with a domestic abuse modifier. Dutter entered a no contest plea to the disorderly conduct charge while the the prosecutor dismissed the damage to property charge.
In August 2024, a domestic abuse restraining order was filed against Dutter and Sheboygan County Judge Natasha Torry granted the injunction for four years.1 Additionally, Dutter is prohibited from processing firearms while the injunction is in effect according to court records. In November 2024, the Kohler Credit Union sought to recover $15,979.35 from Dutter.
In December 2024, Dutter was charged with felony 3rd Degree Sexual Assault with a Domestic Abuse modifier2 and misdemeanor Bail Jumping. On January 8th, the court ordered Dutter not to be on the premises of any tavern or business whose main purpose is the sale of alcoholic beverages as part of his bond conditions. SwitchGear Brewing has been closed since late January 2025.
Last month, Dutter was arrested and charged with two counts of felony Intimidate Victim/Domestic Abuse Crime as well as three counts of misdemeanor Bail Jumping. Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development issued a delinquent unemployment tax warrant against SwitchGear Brewing Company according to court records. Dutter is due back in court on June 10th on the five open criminal cases.
South Pier location considered
In June 2023, SwitchGear Brewing had sought to build a brewery on undeveloped land next to Float Doctor on South Pier Drive but those plans were abandoned. The Sheboygan Redevelopment Authority had granted them the exclusive right to negotiate for the land but nothing came of it once the agreement expired last year. Joseph Voelkner, Dutter’s attorney, told the Redevelopment Authority in January 2024 that the reason for the project not moving forward as fast as everyone would like is due to the minority owners being bought out by the majority owners.
Dutter had intended to work with National Exchange Bank & Trust out of Cedar Grove for the proposed brewery in the South Pier District. When the agreement expired, the Redevelopment Authority granted Brennan Seehafer an exclusive right to negotiate the ground lease of the vacant land until September 15, 2025 for a proposed music venue — that too has apparently fallen through.3
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Sources
2024CV000431 Petitioner vs. Dustin Dutter
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
2024CF000682 State of Wisconsin vs. Dustin Joseph Dutter
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access