Big Woods bringing its beer, BBQ nachos to Speedway

Speedway is about to get its "quaff on."

The town's redevelopment committee has announced that a Big Woods Brewing Company will be built at the corner of 10th and Main streets. The 7,500 square-foot restaurant and beer garden is slated to open next spring.

It joins Daredevil Brewing and the Foyt Family Wine Vault as the latest to tap into the racing capital of the world.

Big Woods is known for its series of Quaff ON! craft brews including the porter-like Busted Knuckle and easy-drinking Six Foot Blonde. Others swear by the restaurant's famous pulled pork BBQ nachos.

Whether its the beer — or nachos or bourbon or pizza — the atmosphere is meant for quaffing.

"Quaff means to drink heartily and with gusto," said Jim Dunbar, customer advocate for Big Woods. "It has been used around here since Day One."

Day One for Big Woods was in 2009, when a group of friends opened the tiny brew pub in Nashville. Since then, the company has steadily expanded, turning an old bowling alley into a production brewery and opening another location in Bloomington.

"The first day we opened, it was crazy," said co-owner Jeff McCabe. "And it has never stopped."

Big Woods Speedway will mimic the look of the original brewpub, but bigger, McCabe said. This includes the the rustic timber entryway and reclaimed barn wood interior.

Head brewer Mark Havens — a three-peat Indiana Brewer of the Year winner — will continue to make the beer in Nashville. Eight Quaff ON! beers will be on tap in Speedway, and another 16 taps will host a selection of guest beers.

Construction for Big Woods Speedway begins this summer. The commission expects it to create 75 new jobs, as well as become a destination for residents and the millions of visitors to the area each year. Like the Nashville location, Big Woods Speedway will have kid- and adult-friendly areas.

Five fun facts

1. A play on words, the brewery sells "Six Foot Blonde" tees that say "I Tapped That."

2. The beer name "Busted Knuckles" came during the brewing process when a brewer literally busted his knuckles while making it.

3. Fancy yourself a craft beer expert? Ask to try to Blind Flight Challenge. If you guess correctly, you win a whole lot of bragging rights.

4. Quaff ON! did a collaboration brew with Upland where the hops flew in on a drone. Kid you not.

5. The Nashville location hosts "Beer School" every Saturday at 11 a.m. Learn about the brewing process — with samples.

Follow Amy Haneline on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . Call her at (317) 444-6281.