Bailey Loosemore

@bloosemore

Five large fermenters are full of beer and booths have already been attached to the walls at a new brewery expected to open soon in the Phoenix Hill neighborhood.

What's left now for Mile Wide Beer Co. are a few minor construction finishes before the taproom opens its doors to awaiting customers – hopefully by early next month.

"It's been a long process and we're excited to get open and finally share our beer with everybody," said co-founder Scott Shreffler. "It's simultaneously frustrating and rewarding, the whole process of opening this brewery. But when we brewed our first batch, it was the best day of this whole process, and I know it's only going to get better from here."

Mile Wide – named for the width of the Ohio River near downtown Louisville – is tucked away in a 13,000-square-foot space beneath Diamond Pub & Billiards at 636 Barret Ave.

The brewery consists of a 15-barrel brewing system and five fermenters that can hold 15 to 30 gallons of beer, while the taproom includes a center bar, electronic beer menus and an old-school jukebox.

Under construction still is a small lounge that will soon be filled with pinball and video game machines, along with dressing room style bathrooms and the co-owners offices.

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The business's team consists of two former Schlafly Beer employees – Shreffler and Kyle Tavares – along with River City Drafthouse owner Patrick Smith and friend Matt Landon. They came together after Smith and Landon proposed the project, agreeing that they wanted to focus on high-quality brews that would add to Kentucky's growing craft beer scene.

"They obviously talk about us with bourbon all the time, but it's high-time we get some national recognition for our beer," Shreffler said.

To start, Mile Wide plans to offer between five and seven beers on its 12 taps, including an English mild ale, a mesquite smoked blond ale and the first west coast IPA in its Scavenger Series.

Shreffler said the series will feature IPAs made with various different hops that the brewery can get its hands on and will be released intermittently as the business purchases and brews with new ingredients.

Setting the brewery apart is a refrigerator containing 32-crowlers, or aluminum cans somewhat mimicking glass growlers that customers can get refilled.

Shreffler said crowlers are becoming more popular as a way for brewers to have better quality control, and a few Kentucky breweries have jumped on the trend, including West Sixth and Monnik.

"I think crowlers are a better package for the beer," Shreffler said. "We can control the cleanliness of the package and also the freshness of the beer."

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Eventually, Mile Wide plans to distribute its beers for draft at other bars and restaurants, and the owners are considering buying a canning line to fill 16-ounce cans.

But for now, the founders are focused on getting their taproom open and serving the thirsty masses.

"I know a lot of people on social media are really excited and we can't wait to share it with everybody," Shreffler said.

Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at 502-582-4646 or bloosemore@courier-journal.com.