USA, SC: Crafty Cats Brewing to officially open its brewery space on July 3

Just about a year after announcing its opening in Greenville, the owners of Crafty Cats Brewing are eager to officially open their brewery space July 3, the Greenville Online reported on July 2.

The opening comes after a long year during which owners said COVID-19 delayed approval of their alcohol license.

Now, all is in order, and the beers are on tap at the space located at 1021 S. Main St. The brewery will celebrate its grand opening 4 p.m. - midnight Saturday.

Those beers are infused with creativity, a key trait of owner and head brewer, Aaron Burton’s style. Case in point, the salted maple jalapeno bacon infused stout that has become a surprise hit or the watermelon rind gose, or the cocktail ales, which are made with a beer base and infused with juices to create a cocktail-esque sip.

The brewery is the second phase of the multifaceted Crafty Cats Brewery, Coffee and Tea, of which Burton owns with his wife, Sara. Sara, who grew up in Brazil, brings the tea and coffeehouse piece and Aaron, with over a decade in the brewing business, brings the beer piece.

The tea and coffeehouse opened last August and has been generating a following with its precisely made loose-leaf teas, house made syrups and delectable desserts and American and Brazilian foods.

The brewery will bring the original plans for the space of the former West End Coffee Shoppe to completion. Well, unless they end up adding the rooftop bar area they originally planned, and unless they take over two warehouse buildings behind the Main Street facing buildings.

“We'll focus on this first,” Sara said with a smile.

Once open, guests will be able to order beer, coffee, tea, cake, pizza, or any of the delectable bites from Sara’s native, Brazil from both the café and the brewery side. Enjoy a fresh empanada or coxinhas (chicken croquettes) with your beer, or a Brazilian style pizza with your smoothie or tea.

About those pizzas, Crafty Cats will serve several varieties all made the Brazilian way, with Catupiry, a soft, spreadable cheese which is popular on pizzas in Brazil.

Aaron began brewing beer in high school. Through two decades working in the tech field, he continued to brew on the side.

In 2014, he and some friends turned the hobby into a full-time gig with the creation of D9 Brewing Co. in Charlotte. That brewery was especially known for its unique sours program.

Aaron plans to bring an equally interesting beer experience to Crafty Cats.

“I like seeing if I can remake stuff that nobody’s made in a while, or make something new that nobody’s had,” Burton said of his brewing style.

He currently has a Kentucky Commons beer, a style that dates back to pre-prohibition and the aforementioned cocktail ales. The latter creates a beer that is reminiscent of a cocktail. Currently, Crafty Cats has two, one made with passionfruit and lime and one made with pomegranate and pineapple.

Currently, beer is available by the pint, but plans include offering cans soon, Aaron said.

Sara brings a background in natural health and healing and has built the tea house menu with teas designed to address specific concerns.

In addition, Crafty Cats serves up wine – including a specially spiced variety a la Sara.

For the grand opening on July 3, Crafty Cats will offer tickets for $5 apiece that will be useable for anything from a beer to pizza and cake to wine. The band BR 385 will provide live music and the celebration will go from 4 p.m. – midnight.

Crafty Cats Brewery, Coffee & Tea is open 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; Open 8 a.m. – midnight Friday and Saturday; closed Monday and Tuesday.

The café and brewery is located at 1021 S. Main St., Greenville.

02 July, 2021