USA, GA: Riverwatch Brewery ready to start brewing its first batch in Augusta

The first brewery in Augusta since before the Prohibition is ready for business. Riverwatch Brewery got its business license approved on March 3 and owners are ready to start brewing their very first batch of beer, WTVM reported.

"It's been a struggle for us to get here and to see the light at the end of the tunnel to be brewing, it just makes me so happy," said Anne Sloan.

A rewarding feeling for owners who were originally told they couldn't make it happen.

"We've been told that the commission will never allow a brewery," said Brey Sloan. "So I thought I was going to have a fight on my hands so we went early and they were like 'Yeah, that's fine.' So we were out a little early than we expected to be."

Eleven and a half months later, here's the building on 5th Street at Laney Walker Boulevard. And Augustans appear prepared to welcome Riverwatch brewery with open arms.

"The Facebook page has grown by leaps and bounds," said Brey. "We're over 1,200 now and I haven't even made any beer yet. So, that's a good sign. There's a lot of interest here in Augusta for the brewery."

Riverwatch Brewery is a production brewery, meaning owners can send their beer with a distributor to other bars and restaurants around town.

"What I think would be most awesome is to see somebody else order it," said Anne. "I can come here and pour myself a beer, that'll be okay. But to see someone else go to a bar and say 'hey I want your local brewer' or 'hey I want your Riverwatch' that'll be awesome."

Brey says they are not sure what the future holds for the business, but from the signs they can see now, they believe Riverwatch is off to a good start.

"The number of people who are excited for us. That makes it all worth while," said Brey.

On March 30, the brewery will have its soft opening. On the 31st, they will have their grand opening for the public to tour the brewery and beer tasting.

04 March, 2016