USA, IN: Danny Boy Beer Works and Switchyard Brewing coming to Bloomington

Danny Boy Beer Works’ third expansion from its Carmel homebase is targeted for downtown Bloomington at 208 South Dunn St., NUVO reported on June 8.

“We’re planning opening the end of July, for the start of IU-Bloomington’s Fall 2017 semester,” said head brewer Dustin Brown. “There’s a personal connection for each place [we expand to]. We do this more for family than simply for market expansion,” added Brown.

Danny Boy in Bloomington marks a return to Brown’s hometown and where his brewing career began. With a degree in marketing and communications from IU, in 2005 Brown signed on at Bloomington Brewing Company [BBC], apprenticing with Brewmaster Floyd Rosenbaum. In 2012, having attained assistant brewer status in the tradition of craft, Brown was invited by the owners of the newly opened Cutter’s production brewery to head their operation, which included contract brewing for the newly emerging Danny Boy. When Danny Boy owner Kevin “KP” Paul finalized plans to build a new production brewery in the Village of West Clay, the natural progression was for Brown to head that operation.

Now, Dustin Brown will be back home — figuratively speaking. He’s still brewing in Carmel, but his Bloomington-based family will require a much shorter trip to enjoy his beers. Danny Boy Draft Works IU is featuring Danny Boy and guest craft beers on 26 taps.

Danny Boy Beer Works broke ground in August 2013 in the Village of WestClay in Carmel. Dustin Brown as head brewer, and assistant brewer Derek Herring began brewing in their imposing new structure in November 2014. By summer of 2015, Danny Boy brews were on tap in St. Clair County, Michigan — owner Kevin Paul’s home area where his family continues to reside. In May 2016 Danny Boy began canning, initially distributing in Indiana. By July they expanded their line of cans into Michigan.

Alluding to the St. Patrick’s Day 2017 opening of Danny Boy Draft Works Notre Dame as “in keeping with our Irish background,” Brown emphasizes Danny Boys’ commitment to their initial roots as an Irish Pub, tracing back to Kevin Paul opening Brockway Public House in Carmel in 2008. Scott Berry serves as general manager and operating partner for the Draft Works, with 12 taps for Danny Boy brews and four for guest beers.

Citing the business model pioneered by Blaine Stuckey with Mad Anthony’s expansions in Auburn, Warsaw and Angola, Brown explained that growing into university communities fits well within Danny Boy’s brewing and hospitality philosophy as family-friendly.

Mad Anthony’s co-founder/owner, Blaine Stuckey, in an email commented, "The craft brewing community is all about camaraderie, and we take that to heart at Mad Anthony. When another brewer asks for advice, we make sure to give them an honest answer based on our 20 years of experience. We're happy to see friends expand into new territory and love what Dustin, Danny Boy and Indiana's brewing community are doing."

In a recent news release, owner Kevin Paul said, “We are excited about expanding in South Bend and Bloomington, introducing our great craft beers to more Notre Dame and Indiana University fans. We plan to embrace the spirit of both of these awesome schools by being open early on game days and by including sections for those who are under 21.”

Brown said South Bend and Bloomington locations will carry “Danny Boy favorites,” including Danny Brau, Take Me to Church, Mac Daddy, Money Maker, Rock n Rolla, Mexi Cali, Training Day, Black, Ginger Witt and Day Drinker. Both locations offer a specialty food menu and carry-out service for growlers and 4-packs of select Danny Boy craft cans.

Switchyard Brewing is restructuring the former Jake's Night Club at 419 N. Walnut St. into what co-founder Kurtis Cummings refers to as "coffee shop meets brewpub” with a projected early 2018 opening date.

“The interior of the building will be completely demolished and renovated to become Bloomington's next brewpub, featuring early morning hours for students and other entrepreneurs to create amazing things in a collaborative workspace atmosphere,” said Cummings in a news release. “Located in the heart of downtown Bloomington, within one block of multiple high-rise student apartments, major downtown hotels, and a 375+ space parking structure, Switchyard is centered within the densest populated area of town.”

"What was previously just a dream has become a provable and tangible reality. After a long three-year search, Switchyard finally has a home in downtown Bloomington and we couldn't be more excited,” said Jeff Hall, co-founder of Switchyard Brewing. "All the pieces just seemed to fit perfectly for this space. We're excited to finally begin swinging hammers and bring our startup to life."

"We're building Switchyard for those with overactive imaginations, the ones who dare to think differently, for the next generation of entrepreneurs and creatives,” added Cummings. "We believe that business can, and should be a catalyst for positive change within our community. We believe in empowering other aspiring creatives to pursue their dreams. We believe in hard work, quality and persistence against all odds. To bring Switchyard to life, we initially raised seed capital totaling $42,560 from 301 backers in the #ShareOurCraft Kickstarter campaign."

Switchyard plans to offer a full menu along with their handcrafted beer, private special event spaces and an indoor stage for live music.

"Our space will be incredibly flexible, serving a dual purpose, and will transform from a collaborative workspace in the day to a new exciting addition to the Bloomington nightlife scene,” said Hall.

Cummings and Hall say Switchyard’s birth “on the workbench of a two car garage alongside family, friends, and tradition,” is based on their collective belief “that business can and should be a catalyst for positive change in our community. By facilitating the entrepreneurial spirit in a unique early morning collaborative workspace, Switchyard encourages others to pursue their own dreams and develop their own craft.

08 June, 2017