Expect a totally different look inside Party Source's Ei8ht Ball Brewing space as Covington's Braxton Brewing Company takes it over this summer.
Braxton announced its plans last week, along with alerting consumers that the space will close for a few months for remodeling. This expansion comes just after Braxton celebrated its second birthday this past weekend.
The brewery will open Braxton Labs — a brewery and a taproom — that will become an innovation facility to make unique, small-batch beers, says Jake Rouse, co-founder and CEO.
Beers will be brewed in 15 barrel batches and available on tap, but only a limited amount will be packaged.
Much like its current location, the remodeled space will capture the spirit of the garage, which is where Braxton was born. That original garage on Braxton Drive in Union, Ky., was where head brewer Evan Rouse started his career.
"We'll definitely infuse some of our garage motif into the space, but the real point of emphasis in Braxton Labs will be the product that is poured from the taps,” says Jonathan Gandolf, chief marketing officer for Braxton.
While consumers are waiting for the new taproom, folks can find everything at Ei8ht Ball 50 percent off until they close April 1, says Hannah Lowen, general manager of New Riff Distilling Company, which owns Ei8ht Ball.
Even though Ei8ht Ball was doing well, Lowen says that New Riff wants to focus on distilling. It's beginning a $7.5 million project in Newport, which involves renovating the original Greenline Bus Building and building a 17,300-square-foot building for a rickhouse (where the barrels are stored for aging).
Rouse says that Braxton had to think about its next steps because the brewery wants to "push the envelope."
"We saw an opportunity to create an entirely new facility dedicated to focusing on experimenting and imagining new beers, and we can’t wait to share this experience with you in a few months," he says.
Experimenting is in Braxton's blood. A partnership with Graeter's lead to the creation of the Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip Milk Stout. They've also created a 1957 English Style Mild Ale to celebrate the baseball season.
Last year, Braxton partnered with Carabello Coffee in Newport to launch Bourbon-aged Starter Coffee from Braxton Brewing Co. Coffee, which is inspired by their dad Greg who liks his coffee black with lots of cream and sugar.
The new location will also allow Braxton to literally expand — as of October, the brewery was at full capacity for fermentation. They're planning on adding more fementers this year.
After Ei8ht Ball closes, Braxton will begin work on acquiring the necessary permits and making the taproom their own.
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