Battle Creek residents will get to experience a new brewery this
winter.Handmap Brewing is on pace to open their doors in February,
according to co-owners Jennifer Brown and Chris McCleary.
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As of right now, the brewery, located at 15 Carlyle St. in downtown
Battle Creek at the newly renovated Record Box building, has the frame
of the bar in place, the beer cooler built and installed, most of their
brewing equipment in place and some of the painting done.
"Some of the toughest parts are done, which is nice," Brown said. "But there's still a lot to do. We're busy."
The brewery also has most of their licensing complete, but they are
still waiting on their final health inspection.The Record Box Loft event
space is set to open in the next couple of weeks. Owners Cody and
Caitlynn Newman recently announced they are hosting musician Benny
Bassett for a concert on the upstairs floor of the building on November
22.
The brewery will remain under construction after the event space
opens.“There’s been some confusion that people think we are opening at
the same time as the [the Record Box Loft] upstairs, which isn’t the
case,” Brown said.Once the brewery is completed, Cody Newman believes
the brewery and Record Box Loft can collaborate on events and mutually
benefit each other.
"We're really excited to have them," he said. "It's a perfect fit.
It will tie in well with the event space and work space."The brewery
still needs to finish the bar and complete the installation of the
brewing equipment and construction of the kitchen and outdoor patio.
McCleary, who is in charge of the brewing operations, also needs
about two months to brew his first batches of beer.A winter opening date
is beneficial for the business, because they anticipate less activity
in the winter. It will give them the opportunity to ease into the
anticipated heavy traffic of spring.“We need to stay on course with our
schedule and timeline, because opening in the winter is important,”
Brown said.
Once completed, the brewery will include a bar that seats 30 to 35
people, along with additional table seating surrounding it. There will
also be an outdoor patio and access to the brewing room.The brewery will
eventually offer 16 beers on tap, although there will be fewer
offerings initially.
“We’re taking it slow for right now because we want everything in
place before we let people through the door,” McCleary said. “But we’re
anxious and excited. It’s been coming together great as of right now.”
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