USA, FL: The Dirty Oar Beer Company to start brewing own beer in August

The Dirty Oar Beer Company has dipped its paddle into the river of brews now flowing into Brevard County. The Cocoa Village establishment brings the Space Coast's brewery count up to 10, Florida Today reported on July 11.

While the brewery doesn't yet have any of its own beers on tap, it opened June 30 with 20 craft beers and ciders from across Florida.

"We're in the process of brewing our six core beers," said co-owner Paul Hill.

Opening a brewery isn't a quick process. Hill and his partners — Chris Hughes, Pat Buonomo and Mark Alderman — signed the lease on the former furniture and appliance store in January 2016.

Hill said he and his partners wanted to be in Cocoa Village, but first they had to find the right place, with enough room for a bar and the brewing operations. The taproom, brewery and beer garden are off King Street (State Road 520).

It took almost a year to complete the paperwork, then another six months to renovate the building.

The building dates back to the 1930s, said Buonomo. All the plumbing and electrical work had to be replaced, and tanks for brewing had to be installed, as well as a huge cooler to hold the finished beer.

The result is a spacious taproom with a long bar and multiple picnic tables, as well as an airy beer garden with more tables out back.

The name came from a friend's basement bar back in New York, said Buonomo. But the oar in Dirty Oar also refers to the paddle used to stir the mash during the brewing process.

Plus, according to Hughes, it's a name that's easy to spell and easy to remember.

Buonomo and Hughes are the brewmasters behind the Dirty Oar. They met at Bugnutty Brewing Company on Merritt Island and realized they were neighbors. Both were home brewers. They decided they wanted to open their own place, so they signed Hill and Alderman on as partners.

Buonomo and Hill said they have opened in Cocoa Village at the perfect time. The city just completed a beautification project along Florida Avenue, which makes the far west side of the downtown shopping and entertainment district more attractive.

Florida Avenue runs near the Dirty Oar's back door, offering easy access to its beer garden.

Along that street, Time Out Sports Bar & Grill is scheduled to open in the next few days, as is Crydermans Barbecue. Maxi-O Home Decor and Artwork has relocated there. These businesses join long-time anchors El Charro Mexican Restaurant to the south and Norman's Raw Bar & Grill to the north.

"There's a lot happening in the Village right now," Buonomo said. "We're happy to be a part of it."

Their part is brewing local beers, and they plan to have six Dirty Oar brews ready and on tap by August.

Featured will be:

A Double IPA
A Pale Ale
A Stout
A Chai Latte Brown Ale
A Light Alsner (a pilsner beer brewed as an ale)
A Hoppy Saison

"Chris and I are both hop heads," Buonomo said. "We like hop-heavy beers."

Hill and Buonomo said their reception in the Village has been great so far.

"People are wanting to come check us out," Buonomo said. "The biggest complaint is that our beer isn't on yet."

The Dirty Oar Beer Company is at 329 King St., Cocoa Village.

13 July, 2017