USA, OH: BrewDog USA to launch craft brewery and pub in New Albany

New Albany is getting a downtown craft brewery and pub – just not the one first planned, the Columbus Business First reported on February 5.

BrewDog USA will take over the former New Albany Mill building at 97 W. Granville St.

That almost 8,700-square-foot space – split between 6,990 square feet indoor and a 1,645-square-foot covered patio – originally was tabbed to be a combination Harvest Pizzeria and Three Tigers Brewing brewpub, but the Covid-19 pandemic curbed that plan.

Three Tigers since has decided to expand in downtown Granville.

Meanwhile, BrewDog said it could fill that opening in New Albany. It expects to open in spring or summer.

The company said on February 4 that the outdoor space will include fire pits and outdoor games. Inside plans include interior fire pits, an interactive beer school and 24 taps featuring BrewDog beer and brews from around the world.

BrewDog said it wanted to “plant a flag” on the north side of Columbus for customers who might feel they’re too far from the Canal Winchester mothership or the bars in the Short North or Franklinton. It cited the fast-developing area, the supportive local community and an “iconic” space as part of the lure to the project.

New Albany Co. owns the space. BrewDog is working with Scotland-based designer Surface ID and local architect Donald Weaver on the project.

New Albany Co. President Bill Ebbing said BrewDog is a highly sought after brand and its "distinct energy" is appealing.

"The location they are reimagining is quite special," he said in a statement. "It's positioned along the Rose Run corridor in the heart of town with prime areas for outdoor dining and entertainment. We felt like this was a perfect match up of location and operator."

It joins a restaurant cluster that already includes Hudson 29, Mellow Mushroom, Fox in the Snow, Rusty Bucket and Freshii among others.

It’s the first new location for BrewDog since the pandemic started. In addition to its three Central Ohio bars and hotel, it also has bars in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, though some of those remain closed for the time being.

New Albany also is not the only new U.S. development in the works. Founder James Watt has teased locations in Cleveland and Las Vegas as well, though details on those projects have yet to be revealed.

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