USA, IN: Heartwork Brewing to open in Bloomington later this year

Jeff Browne, who was born and raised in the Bloomington area, has been talking with his friends Dan Dutcher and Aubrey Williams, also from Bloomington, about opening a brewery and restaurant for years, Browne said.

That pipedream will become a reality when Heartwork Brewing opens at 1703 N. College Ave. later this year, the Herald-Times reported on August 24.

"We'd get together at the holidays and joke that if we ever end up back in Bloomington, we would do something like this," he said.

In 2021, the crew purchased and began of renovating the former Huse building. Now, the outline of a patio can be seen out front and a row of taps waiting for beers lines the bar area. There's more seating nearby and another room can be used for private events. Eight tanks — six for fermenting, two for finishing — are located in the large production area behind the seating, which can accommodate about 190 people.

Most recently Dutcher was a brewer with Bearded Iris in Nashville, Tennessee. There Dutcher helped craft many IPAs and hazy IPAs. He also has a passion for lagers. Heartwork Brewing will have two tanks dedicated to lagers and Dutcher anticipates having a stout and a sour available, too.

Both Dutcher and his wife, Aubrey Williams, are military veterans serving in the U.S. Army. Williams will handle human resources.

Browne brings experience in the hospitality business. He managed Ounces Taproom and Beer Garden in Seattle most recently. As the operations person, he'll run the tap room, where 12 brews will be available when Heartwork opens. Browne also worked at the original Yogi's in Bloomington and other restaurants.

The kitchen won't be ready when Heartwork Brewing opens this fall, but there will be food. Heartwork will invite a rotating array of food trucks until the kitchen, serving small plates and snacks, opens in early 2024.

For the gluten-free crowd, Heartwork intends to offer both food and drink, eventually including hard cider, wine and nonalcoholic beverages.

Plans to open a beer garden just outside the production area on the side of the building are still being finalized.

25 August, 2023