USA, NC: Husband and wife team to launch BMC Brewing in Pittsboro
After more than a year fighting through pandemic slog, John and Carmen Rice are set to open Pittsboros newest microbrewery: BMC Brewing, Chapelboro.com reported on June 27.
Theres a few things that need to be finished up, a little bit of painting and a door needs to be finished, John Rice said. But were pretty much to the point that as soon as we get our permits, were ready to brew. And as soon as we have beer, were going to be serving it.
BMC the latest beverage-making operation at The Plant on Lorax Lane, an area commonly known as the Chatham Beverage District was issued its certificate of occupancy a couple of weeks ago, Rice said. Hes just waiting for ABC Board approval, which could arrive any day, to begin alcohol production.
And then well start brewing right away, start getting beer in the tanks, Rice said. The quickest well be able to get something out is probably two weeks. Realistically, were looking at three weeks. And then as soon as we get a finished menu, well put them in the kegs and well start serving and well have the doors open and people can come in.
Between two brewing systems, BMC can churn out 11 different beers at a time. Rice hasnt yet settled on his opening lineup, but patrons can expect a diverse selection from day one. Besides fan-favorite IPAs (west coast and New England varieties) and regular pale ales, BMC will feature a selection of less typical brews, many of which pay homage to acclaimed scientists and leaders of history.
Mendels Dominant Recessive Kolsch honors the father of modern genetics, Joseph Mendel, the Rices write on their website. The German-inspired ale features a traditional yeast tempered by North Carolina-sourced hops and grain. McClintocks Tiara Red Ale pays tribute to pioneering female corn geneticist Barbara McClintock and includes flaked corn for a drier finish. Uisce Móna Beilgeach, derived from a Gaelic phrase meaning bog water, will be an Irish Stout made stronger by the addition of Belgian candied sugar and fermented with Trappist yeast.
We have a list of 13 beers and recipes that weve tested and we brewed and were just waiting to scale up and sell, Rice said. So were really excited about all of them.
And BMC which stands for Bite My Cookie will feature another unique product: baked goods made from spent grain.
To make beer we use malted grains and we extract all the sugar out of those, Rice said. But then were left w ith the grain itself, and theres still nutritional value in that grain. So, were going to pull some of it out, dry it in a dehydrator, and we can grind it into flour that well have a commercial restaurant use to make cookies that well sell here at the brewery.
He hopes the cookie menu will signal to visitors that BMC is a family-friendly destination, not just a bar.
We just dont want to be a beer hall, Rice said. We picked this place in particular because of the open spaces and a family atmosphere that most of the events have. And so if somebody wants to come out with their family and have a picnic and they can pick up a couple of cookies, were all for that.
Rice, himself a scientist, got his start as a home brewer more than 30 years ago. He made his career as a pharmaceutical researcher specializing in drug discovery, cell biology and yeast physiology. But commercial brewing was always the dream. After years of deliberation, he decided in 2019 it was finally time to ditch his career in research and pursue his lifelong passion.
Then the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Its been interesting to say the least, he said. But were really glad that things are coming around.
Last month, The Plant unveiled its new Bath House, a standalone building housing three private bathrooms, which will primarily serve BMC patrons. More than 50 attended its grand opening, including Pittsboro Mayor Jim Nass and other Chatham officials. Such public activity encourages Rice, he said, but still he plans to save BMCs official grand opening for later this summer.
We just want to make sure weve got all of our processes down, weve got beer on hand, and well feel out what its like when people first start coming out, Rice said.
So well do a soft opening, get us to the point where were feeling confident that we can handle a grand opening, and then well do a grand opening.
But thats not to deter anyone from visiting the brewery, he pointed out. As COVID-19 recedes and public gatherings revive, Rice hopes Pittsboro residents will make BMC their post-pandemic haunt.
Its been so helter-skelter in the last year, we just didnt want to be disappointing the people, Rice said. But I know theres a good group of people that want to come out and share beers with us and life experiences and were just were looking forward to being able to open to do that to provide a space for people to get together.
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