USA, OH: Buckeye Lake Brewery set to double in size

Buckeye Lake Brewery, located in Licking County, is already exceeding its own expectations. Opened two years this month, the operation is set to double in size as demand for space is at an all time high, for owner and customers alike, Columbusunderground.com reported on March 1.

Buckeye Lake Brewery currently occupies 1,400 square feet in a three-unit building. Both a brewery and a taproom have fit into the tiny space, but demand for increased seating for the pub part of the operation prompted owner Rich Hennosy to make a move.

He purchased an additional 1,400 square feet two doors down from his current lease, and plans to move the bulk of the production to that site. This will mean that 25 seats will be created in the tasting room, which has become a popular hangout since Hennosy arranged for food truck meal service last Fall.

What this also adds is the room to begin bottling. Hennosy recently bottled his first beer – Shovelhead, a double IPA at 8.3% ABV. He expects to produce several more varietals for bottles in the near future, including a Coconut Stout, and all of these can be found at Savor Growl, The Beverage Source, Brews Café, Café Napolitana, Corner Stone Craft Beer & Wine, and Savor Market.

Hennosy has no immediate plans to begin distribution of Buckeye Lake Brewery’s beers outside of Ohio, but it is a consideration for the future. The focus, right now, remains on the pub. Purchasing the additional space means that production does not have to halt at happy hour, another win-win for Hennosy and his patrons.

“The new venue offers us the ability to have a physical presence without changing the overall feel of the place,” shares Hennosy on the expansion. “Once we are settled in, customers will be able to tour the brewing facility. We want them to see where their beer is made and explain the process, but the main goal is to have a place for everyone to sit.”

Hennosy anticipates having both sites operational by April 1st.

05 March, 2014