USA, KY: Darkness Brewing co-founders turn to crowdfunding to help bring brewery to life

One of Kentucky’s newest brewery projects is looking for investment and hopes the public will share in their dream, WCPO reported on May 18.

Co-founders Eric Bosler and Ron Sanders want to open Darkness Brewing at a former warehouse at 224 Fairfield Ave. in Bellevue.

Bosler got his start in the industry bartending at the Crazy Fox Saloon in Newport and currently works at Virgil’s Café in Bellevue.

Bosler will be the head brewer and bar manager, while Sanders will take care of the business side of the brewery. Sanders will also be brewing once they get up and running.

Both of them have been brewing together for about three years. Bosler has been home brewing for the past five years.

Bosler said their goal is to keep the brewery and experience small, and focus on experimental beers.

When it opens, the brewery will be unique among the Great Cincinnati brewing scene as it will specialize in “darker” styles of beer.

Bosler and Sanders added they have no plans to bottle, can or distribute their beer widely. They plan to start off with a 3.5bbl brew house and several 3.5 bbl fermenters.

“We just want to provide a nice and relaxing, fun place to come sit down, drink our beer, and have a great time,” Bosler and Sanders said.

So far the project is entirely self-funded and they are not using traditional funding via banks or investors.

However, the two men said several local Bellevue and Newport businesses are helping them get off the ground.

“Well, let’s not kid ourselves. There are some very good breweries in the Cincinnati area making some great beer. Our plan is to compliment what they are doing with our own tastes and style. Since we are small, we can afford to take risks and just plain have a good time,” Bosler and Sanders said.

20 May, 2015