E-Malt.com News article: USA, NC: Royal Bliss Brewing already open for takeout orders in Denver

What do you do when the brewery you’ve spent years designing and building is set to open during a worldwide pandemic?

You open your doors, of course.

“You just have to go with the flow,” said Ginger Griffin, who recently opened Royal Bliss Brewing in Denver with her husband, Larry Griffin Jr. “Anytime you start a new business, regardless of the industry, you have to be adaptable. But I think the nicest thing about the community we’re in is that everyone has been excited about us to open.”

The Denver brewery has indeed seen a great deal of support since opening for takeout orders on March 26, with a steady flow of new and repeat customers so far. Unfortunately, most of them make it only as far as the lobby, since breweries and restaurants may only sell food to-go right now under North Carolina orders meant to slow the spread of COVID-19.

That means visitors get only a brief glimpse at a brewery years in the making. Building from the ground up offered the Griffins the unique opportunity to do things exactly as they wanted, without consideration for an existing building’s size or layout.

But before building, the Griffins toured “nearly every brewery in the state” for inspiration and to ask other brewery owners what they would do if they were building their breweries today.

“One of the nicest things has been how friendly and open and helpful other breweries have been,” Griffin said. “People have said, ‘If I could build it from scratch, here’s what I would do.’ Or, ‘Here’s what i would do differently.’”

The Griffins took much of that advice to heart. They worked closely with architect Harry Schrader of Schrader Design on a two-story facility that showcases exposed timber, brick and stone. The main level features a taproom, as well as a beer garden and an enclosed patio that can be used year-round. Upstairs, there is another taproom, a terrace and a private events room.“As far as the look and feel, we wanted it to be comfortable, attractive and clean,” Griffin said. “And with a pop of fun, too. It’s a place of fun and friendship.”

The Griffins are no strangers to the business world. Ginger recently sold her advertising agency, and Larry has worked in real estate and managed the family’s auto business. (He also served as the general contractor over the brewery build.) But they knew they needed an experienced brewer, and they found just that in Chris Wertman, formerly of The Unknown Brewing Co.

At Royal Bliss, Wertman will focus on a portfolio of beers that are approachable, like the taproom itself. “Our philosophy on brewing was that we want beers that are drinkable,” Griffin said. “Just something that the average person will really enjoy.”

Down the road, don’t be surprised to see specialty beers and high-gravity offerings. But for now, the brewery has opened with Blair’s Blonde Ale; Denver’s First Pilsner; Tilted Crown, an IPA; Haze in Spades, a New England-style IPA; Citrus Jack, a pale ale fermented with Kveik yeast; and Royal Treatment, an oatmeal stout.

Executive chef Bobby Lamby of Carolina Smash Truck oversees the food menu, which consists of items like pizza, soft pretzels, sandwiches, beer-brined smoked wings and loaded nachos.

Because all of the to-go beers are sold in growlers, Crowlers or cans, Royal Bliss — like other breweries around town — has been working hard to track down more packaging. It is also working with a mobile canning company to keep its core beers in four-packs of 16-ounce cans. While the brewery ran out of Crowlers one Sunday an hour before closing, it’s been able to stay ahead of most things so far.

Other breweries opening soon will face the same challenges. Lake Norman Brewery will soon be opening its doors in Denver, as well. On the other side of the lake, Lost Worlds Brewing awaits its own shipment of Crowlers, growlers and cans. The new Cornelius brewery plans to open this Saturday (check the brewery’s Facebook page for hours and additional information). Lost Worlds will soon have cans of two of its beers — Vista, a West Coast IPA, and Euchre, a golden ale — in grocery stores as early as next week.

And while Royal Bliss has sent a lot of food and beer through its doors so far, Ginger Griffin is most excited for the chance to bring everyone inside.

“That’s what I’m really excited for,” she said. “To have everyone in and have a full place. That will be really fun.”


16 April, 2020