a new brew Benjamin
Nunnally
Food INSIGHT
Stepping through the high-arched doors of the Cheaha Brewing Company ’ s new site in Anniston , it ’ s easy to imagine the building as it stood 100 years ago , a freight station for Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company . The brick walls stretch two stories up over the bar , to a wood roof supported by struts and beams . There ’ s a sense of history and warmth to the building , something old made new , but still familiar .
“ When we were looking for places , we were really focused on Anniston ,” says co-founder Rodney Snider . “ We just fell in love when we walked into that building .”
A brewpub fosters a different kind of atmosphere from a bar or club . A family can come in and have something to eat . There ’ s rootbeer brewed on-site for the kids . Grown-ups can take a spot at the bar , or have a glass of one of the pub ’ s unique drinks with their meals . and were met with a warm reception . Brew pubs often draw tourists from all over the country , as each one can offer different beverages that no other locations may have .
According to the Brewers Association , a national organization made up of thousands of brewers like Cheaha Brewing Company , the retail dollar value of all craft brewers in the nation was $ 10.2 billion at the end of 2012 , a staggering one and a half billion dollar increase from 2011 ’ s figures . The growth of the business
“ We ’ re really striving to use all local produce and local meats from local farmers ,” says Snider . Cheaha Brewing ’ s goals encompass more than filling stomachs and selling beer ; Snider , a local who grew up in the White Plains area , sees it as a chance to help Anniston flourish as new business and tourism enters the city .
“ We believe in Anniston , and want to support Anniston and Calhoun County ,” says Snider . • •
“ Our hope is to educate people on all these different styles ,” says Snider . The planned beers on tap range from American pales to Kölsch brew , Irish Red and Belgian white , and a few special surprises to entice the true connoisseurs .
Anniston locals are ready for something new . “ I think it ’ s going to be awesome to have a brewer come to town ,” says Sue Guin , a beer enthusiast from Jacksonville . “ I ’ m always willing to have a chance to experience some new varieties of beer .”
Building the business and bringing it to Anniston was a labor of love and a long-time dream of Snider and co-founders , Rick Okins and Kimberly Schneider . Okins and Snider had long talked of starting a brewpub or beer garden , as they tried out new and interesting craft beers . When Okins introduced Schneider to the mix , a head brewer with a decade of experience in the Michigan beer scene , everything started falling into place .
“ It was almost like a play , one act after another ,” says Snider . About a year back , the group approached Anniston city leaders as the Cheaha Brewing Company ,
34 April 2013
INSIGHT