E-Malt.com News article: USA, NC: Tight Lines Brewing Company moves a step closer

The new owners of the former Rap’s Grill and Bar are moving forward with their plans for a craft beer brewery at the downtown location in Morehead city, Carolinacoastonline reported on November 27.

A company called Klew LLC purchased the property in September. The firm, which will operate as Tight Lines Brewing Co., last week received the city planning board’s unanimous approval of a request to amend city codes to add “microbrewery” as a defined special use in the downtown business district. The request now goes to the city council for final approval.

The proposal defines a microbrewery as a small facility that produces less than 15,000 barrels of beer per year. It may also include a tasting room and retail space to sell the beer to patrons on site and may be affiliated with an attached restaurant.

Russell Lewis, a partner in Klew LLC with his mother, Betty Sue Stroud, and stepfather Joe Stroud, said the project had been in works for a long time.

Lewis said plans are to renovate the existing restaurant and open in February or March 2014. The owners hope to start building the beer facilities in September 2014 and begin brewing by November or December of that year.

The beer side of the business alone is expected to create about a half-dozen jobs.

Lewis said North Carolina is an “emerging state” in the craft beer market.

He said the business could help fuel craft beer growth in the county.

Plans are to build a freestanding building between the existing Rap’s structure and a town alleyway that will serve as the brewing facility and tasting room. The business will include a restaurant serving seafood and local fare paired with the company’s brews.

Lewis said the facility will include six tanks for four year-round beers and two seasonal brews.
A tasting room would permit drinking on site.

The company plans to sell the beer to the public in growlers – half-gallon glass jugs – and kegs. No bottling or canning facilities are planned due to the limited space.


29 November, 2013