USA, IN: Couple planning to open Myriad Brewing in Evansville on November 16

When Jason and Jamie Elliott lived in an apartment and Fourth and Main streets in Downtown Evansville, one of their favorite places to spend time was The Vault, a below-ground bar in their building, the Evansville Courier & Press reported on November 14.

The Vault is closed now, but the Elliotts were regulars and said it became a great place to meet their neighbors and build lasting friendships.

The couple was inspired to go down a similar business path themselves. The fruits of three years of planning is coming together in the lobby of The McCurdy. The Elliotts plan to open Evansville’s newest microbrewery, Myriad Brewing, on Nov. 16.

The Elliotts are excited to be in Downtown Evansville, and they said several factors have them optimistic Myriad will have staying power in the neighborhood.

It’s not a long walk for students and staff of the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, which opened in August.

The McCurdy is sandwiched between Old National Bank’s Evansville headquarters and the former Riverhouse property, which is being renovated into a boutique hotel expected to open sometime in 2019.

And finally, there’s a built-in customer base in The McCurdy, which has about 100 apartments and condominiums. The building’s eighth floor is still being renovated. All apartments up to the seventh floor are leased, according to property owner The Kunkel Group.

The Elliotts have hired their brewer: Max King, who formerly worked with Tin Man Brewing Co. and Carson’s Brewery. King officially came on board Oct. 1.

“I’ve known Max since I was 13,” Jamie Elliott said. “We’ve been working with him on this business plan for two years now, and we’re finally able to bring him on. We’re great buddies, and it will be perfect.”

Myriad will likely not have its own beers on tap yet when the business opens; Jamie Elliott said that won’t happen until many taste tests take place. Once Myriad starts offering its own product, there will be two year-round, core offerings, “a light approachable beer and an IPA.”

Beyond those two beers, “we’ll do a lot of specialties, seasonals, fun stuff, experiments,” Jamie Eillott said. “We’ll take input from customers on what they like to see, we’ll brew it, if they like it, we’ll keep it on longer.”

Myriad will have 12 taps in all, with numerous guest offerings from Indiana breweries, including local ones such as Maiden’s Brewery & Pub, Turoni’s and Evansville Brewhouse. Wine, liquor and sodas also will be available.

Myriad will have a few snacks available, but guests will be allowed to bring in food and order food, and the Elliotts expect food trucks to come around.

Most guests will enter Myriad from Southeast First Street, but residents of The McCurdy will have their own entrance, from the apartment building lobby. There will be seating for about 75, including a lounge area that the Elliotts designed with college students in mind.

The Elliotts are excited to see their vision come together, inspired by their own past experience living in Downtown Evansville.

“We would hang out (at The Vault) all the time, and we’re hoping to have that same atmosphere here,” said Jamie Eilliott, who has tended bar at Evansville Brewhouse.

To finally be close to opening, Elliott said, "is the most amazing feeling. We live and breathe this project."

The McCurdy also looks forward to Myriad’s opening.

“It will add to the building and the neighborhood,” said Adam Kunkel, with The Kunkel Group. “They are very forward-thinking and have great ideas, great designs and a great business plan.”

The Kunkel Group continues to market other ground-level spaces at The McCurdy to potential tenants. The building, which opened in 1917, underwent a lengthy $10 million renovation process.

“It’s a beautiful building and has a lot to offer,” Adam Kunkel said.

14 November, 2018