USA, IN: People’s Brewing Co. to open a microbrewery in Lebanon, IN

Another new business will soon open on Lebanon’s downtown square, replacing an old one and bringing with it a product unique to the immediate area, Lebanon Reporter said on August 18.

People’s Brewing Co., a Lafayette-based craft beer brewing operation, will open a microbrewery and taproom at the former French/Hoosier fusion restaurant, Bijou, 111 W. Main St., that occupied the space for nearly 17 years.

“We are excited to be the first brewery in Boone County and Lebanon and think we are blessed to find such a great spot on the town square,” said People’s Brewing Co. partner Brett Vander Plaats in a press release.

People’s Brewmaster Chris Johnson said the brewery’s transition to a Lebanon outpost would be good for both community and business. The operation specializes in small-batch recipes and plans to be up and running sometime in October.

“For us, it’s nice to make a reach outside of our market … to get a retail establishment and grow our brand out from our source and Lebanon was perfect setting,” Johnson said. “We like the community and its push to make advancements in town. We also thought it was a beautiful downtown, and stars aligned.”

Brewing professionally since 2001, Johnson is responsible for People’s array of staples: Ol’ Tavern Lager, Moundbuilder IPA, Farmer’s Daughter Wheat, Mr. Brown, Sgt. Bravo Pale Ale, Nine Irish Ale, and Phantom Assassin White IPA. He previously worked at the Lafayette Brewing Company.

Seasonal craft brews and a rotating group of IPA’s will also adorn the tap selection, along with a variety of seasonal beers throughout the year. Also included will be other local craft brews from around the state that fill the brewery’s 36-line draft system.

“People want to come and try different things and our Lafayette operation is small compared to what we will be doing on the square,” Johnson said. “We will start with big line up and have flexibility for growler fills.”

Growler fills will be available seven days a week.

Johnson said they hope to have the five-barrel brewing operation up and running by the first of the year to put out some local specific brews. It also gives the brewmaster a chance to try new recipes out on the local community.

“People get behind the fact the beer was brewed in the town.” Johnson said.

With approximate seating for 140 people, the brewery hopes to create a family friendly environment complete with a small food offering. The food will incorporate the brewery’s beers into some of its burger recipes.

Adding a restaurant is a shift from the Lafayette operation that offers food trucks to those visiting that taproom. A collaboration with local food product providers should be in the works soon, Johnson said.

“We look at it as a similar model to food trucks,” Johnson said. “It will be a simple menu of burgers, sliders and tacos. We want it to be simple but also be quality. It will all be made from scratch, but not a full-blown dinner menu from salads to desserts.”

Plans for a beer garden in the alley adjacent to their new digs are in the works. It would seat approximately 50 people, giving the downtown another outdoor eating venue.

“We talked to the city about the opportunity to use that space and it looks to be something we can do,” Johnson said. “Having an outside space is a nice draw and that alley way looks upon courthouse. It’s a beautiful setting.”

Vander Plaats said in the press release that the Boone County Economic Development Corp. was instrumental in this move. The cofounder credited “postcards, letters, and emails from the Boone County EDC, repeatedly running into Mayor (Matt) Gentry at different beer events, and also Ben Worrell from the EDC helping scout locations and make connections that helped us get to this point.”

18 August, 2016