USA, IN: Teays River Brewing & Public House to open in Lafayette by mid-January

A new brewery will open in Lafayette by the middle of January 2018, the Journal & Courier reported on November 15.

Teays River Brewing & Public House will open at 3000 Ninth St., Lafayette, a location vacated by Walt’s Other Pub roughly five years ago.

The name, Teays River, is a nod to the ancient river that used to run through Lafayette and now serves as the city’s aquifer, providing drinking water and, more importantly, water with which to brew beer.

“It’s a tribute to when the Teays used to flow through the area thousands, even millions, of years ago, before the glaciers advanced and created the Ohio River,” Jason Cook, co-owner and brewer of Teays River, said. “We’re really focused on community and our local ties. The name is our way of bringing that in.”

Cook said he’s been brewing at home for about eight years but the dream of owning a brewery only materialized in the past year. Together with his friends, restaurant industry veterans Jon Hodge and Jeff Burnworth, Cook said they put together a plan.

The establishment, Cook continued, will offer a little bit of everything. There will be a taproom with a casual feel, much like the People’s Brewing Co. taproom. It will also have a full-service restaurant, a patio and an area that can be closed off for private parties.

The beer selection also will offer a little bit of everything.

“We’ll brew across the board. … I plan to have beers on tap that will allow someone just cutting their teeth on craft beer to come in and enjoy a drink. I’ll also have something for the most experienced craft drinker,” Cook said.

Cook added he loves to experiment with beer and has brewed everything from a smoked beer, smoking his own grains, to a coconut cream ale.

“I like to experiment and throw weird stuff in beer,” he said.

While beer will be the focus of Teays River, Cook said they’re also bringing in Jacob Robinson, an experienced chef who has worked around the country, including as a chef for the Green Bay Packers organization.

While Teays River might be the perfect fit for Lafayette’s downtown, Cook said he’s excited to give people a reason to venture outside of the downtown district for drinking and dining options.

“It will complement Walt’s (Other Pub),” Cook said. “It will create a destination. … We want to recharge that area.”

19 November, 2017