Canada, ON: Spacecraft Brewery already open in Sudbury

A spot formerly associated with root beer and burgers in Sudbury is now serving up craft beer and meatballs, among other savoury fare, The Sudbury Star reported on January 13.

Spacecraft Brewery, the newest option for local suds, occupies the same building on Notre Dame Avenue that once housed an A&W drive-in.

“We kept a few of those elements in the aesthetics of the building, worked around it to keep it,” said Dan Carnovale, co-owner of Spacecraft with partner Melissa Mehes.

Some of the flooring remains from the A&W era, for instance, and an event space in the brewery/eatery is “the original pavilion that cars would drive under,” he noted.

More recently the building acted as a Greyhound depot, until it relocated in 2016 to the Ontario Northland site on the Kingsway.

Carnovale said he and Mehes had been planning a craft brewery for four years and the site appealed to them for both its layout and legacy.

“We looked at a lot of locations and history is one of the finer points of any address in town,” he said.

The business, which brews its own beer on site, had its grand opening on Jan. 4.

“We were a little unprepared but we knew we had to get the wheel turning and learn as we go along,” said Carnovale. “Friday and Saturday were better than expected. The welcome was genuine and beautiful from everyone who came, and the staff, our whole team, seemed to flow with those two nights perfectly.”

At present Spacecraft is producing two varieties of beer — a hazy citra IPA and Riesling IPA, sweetened with grape juice — but plans to add more types as time goes on.

“We have 14 taps and eventually we want seven of them to be Spacecraft offerings,” said Carnovale, who does the brewing.

The spare taps offer a revolving array of suds from other craft operations, including Full Beard from Timmins and Split Rail on Manitoulin Island. Fellow Sudbury brewer Stack will also have a turn at a tap.

“We want to play a big part in fostering craft beer culture in Sudbury,” said Carnovale. “And that involves collaborations with different groups around town, including Stack and other breweries to come.”

Apart from the ales, lagers and stouts, patrons can also enjoy a range of tasty snacks.

“Our food offerings are a base menu that complements local food providers,” said Carnovale. “So we take the things we can cook on an induction element, prepping things we can keep in the fridge, and pair them with an item from Tarini’s or Regency Bakery or D&A Meats.”

On Wednesday Januar y9, for instance, Spacecraft was serving D&A porketta on a freshly made bun from Regency, along with its own quick-pickled vegetables. Perogies from the Perogy Princess are also a menu staple, as are pretzels and meatballs. For those seeking lighter, meatless fare, there are salads and vegan options, too.

“We’re a great place for a quick lunch,” Carnovale said. “And we’re a great place in the evening for food and beer and company.”

Groups can also book events at Spacecraft, whether it is for a meeting, fundraiser or other type of gathering.

The name Spacecraft may evoke interplanetary travel but the couple isn’t trying to push a sci-fi theme too much. It’s more about expressing a space for people to gather and enjoy quality food and beer, crafted on site, said Carnovale.

The business spans nearly 6,000 square feet, and its taproom and event/dining areas have an open and inviting feel.

Wood from a Capreol bowling alley was repurposed for tabletops, while retro gadgets and chandeliers with a 1950s flavour add to the ambience.

Patrons can see the brewing process through a glass wall, or tour the brew house itself when it is safe to do so.

“We plan to brew two more batches (this) week, with at least one different recipe,” said Carnovale. “That will happen during business hours, and I’m happy to explain the process to people who are interested.”

Spacecraft is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

17 January, 2019