USA, SC: Co-owner of Spartanburg Brewing LLC planning another brewery

A chemist who enjoys home brewing is taking his hobby to the next level.

Petr Valenta, co-owner of Spartanburg Brewing LLC, purchased an abandoned building in 2016 off W.O. Ezell Boulevard, and plans to turn it into a brewery featuring premium lagers, the Spartanburg Herald Journal reported on March 30.

"We want to bring the old European way of lager brewing and make beer the original way of fermenting in open vessels," Valenta said.

Valenta said a new roof and doors were recently installed at the 4,000-square-foot building at 101 Chester St. that was formerly occupied by an auto detailing shop. He said an architect is designing the building's interior and exterior space.

The brewery is scheduled to open this summer, with a biergarten on adjacent property, Valenta said.

The venue also will feature an outdoor stage for live music, pingpong tables and other games for families. Valenta said an indoor bar will offer tastings, and the building's garage doors will be open during business hours.

Among the five beers the brewery will feature is Curly Czech Pilsner, a nod to the Czech Republic, where Valenta was born. He is a senior research chemist at Milliken & Co. and lives in Greer.

Valenta said the cost to develop the site will be about $250,000. He is working with three other owners to develop the property.

The building has been vacant for at least 10 years and was in disrepair, but Valenta said an engineer recently completed a check of the building and found it structurally sound.

Valenta said the business will help bring activity to a part of the city in need of redevelopment.

Spartanburg Economic Development Director Patty Bock has toured the site, and said the city will continue to work with the owners. Bock said the new brewery will help encourage new development in a gateway area and add to the city's growing microbrew scene.

"It is really positive for existing business," she said.

30 March, 2017