USA, OH: Sandy Springs Brewing Co. coming to Minerva

Andy and Amanda Conrad have been home brewing beer for 10 years and now are launching Sandy Springs Brewing Co. in their hometown of Minerva, the Canton Repository reported on October 29.

It was Minerva’s first gasoline station 100 years ago.

Now, the building on the corner of Market Street and Lincoln Highway will join the growing list of regional craft breweries as home to Sandy Springs Brewing Co.

Originally, Andy and Amanda Conrad considered opening the brewing in a barn on their farm northeast of Minerva. But a few days after inspectors declared the building fit for remodeling, lightening struck. Literally. The bolt set the barn ablaze, destroying the building.

It didn’t destroy the dream.

While the barn didn’t become a brewery, it’s still part of the brewery. Some of the timbers and siding have been used to decorate the Sandy Springs Brewing Co. tasting room, to build the bar and to make some of the furnishings. One beam was cut and drilled to make holders for tasting flights.

The Conrads have been home brewing for 10 years and have worked since 2011 on plans for opening a brewery in their hometown.

After graduating high school, they headed for college and earned degrees as physical therapists. They saw a lot of the country. They also saw a lot of small craft breweries. Many were in small towns similar to Minerva. “We saw the impact these small breweries had on their communities,” Andy said.

Different breweries served as community centers. Places were friends met. They liked the atmosphere and wanted to bring something like that to Minerva.

After the barn burned, things worked out with the former gas station. The building was purchased, and the new owners wanted to see a brewery there. They also knew the Conrads were considering opening one. “Everything just aligned,” Amanda said.

Sandy Springs Brewery opens Nov. 4. Plans are to be open Thursday through Sunday. Hours are set as 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 1 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, although those hours could run a little longer during football season.

The brewery initially will offer eight Sandy Springs beers, along with a guest tap, such as a brew from another nearby brewer.

The Conrads have been refining their recipes over the past four years, anticipating their own brewery. One of the beers, Lost Gold Creme Ale, plays off local lore. Its name came from the legend of the lost French gold supposedly buried in the area more than 200 years ago. Great Trail Pale Ale is made from hops the Conrads have grown at their farm. An IPA called Dalai Momma Pug and a Cascadian dark called Waylan’s Black got their names from dogs the Conrads once owned.

Some of the beers still don’t have names, and the Conrads are considering having customers suggest names. Other styles lined up include a chai tea pumpkin stout, a Belgian, an imperial brown ale and a porter.

A seasonal brew that can be anticipated this spring is called Happy Sappy. The Conrads use sap from maple trees on their property when making the beer. The sap replaces the water. The amount of Happy Sappy available will depend on sap production by the trees. Once the beer is gone, it won’t be brewed again until the following spring when the sap starts running.

Sandy Springs also offers a limited menu with sandwiches, flat breads, appetizers and a dessert. There also are non-alcoholic beverages available, including a craft root beer.

The Conrads’ plan is to operate as a craft brewery that supplies its own bar and maybe local restaurants or other area breweries with a guest tap. There are no plans for bottling or canning beer for distribution.

The couple has received help from their parents — Dave and Julie Conrad and Johnny and Deborah Costea — as well as friends in the community. Ross Blair, who is from Warren, built the bar and other fixtures in the brewery’s taproom, including tables, chairs and stools. You can buy the furniture if you’d like it, Amanda said. Plans are to stock extra pieces in case customers want to buy some of Blair’s work.

As craft brewers, the Conrads have been involved with Northeast Ohio’s growing craft brewing community. They’ve received advice and assistance as they’ve worked toward Sandy Springs Brewing’s opening date.

While it seems the area has been flooded with different craft brewers, the Conrads see it more as a growing family.

“I think the more the merrier,” Andy said. “There is no competition. It’s like one big community.”

While in college, they decided to try brewing beer. They experimented with different styles and began developing favorite recipes. After college, the couple took jobs as contractors and for three years traveled in western states working in different communities.

30 October, 2017