Kentuckiana breweries on track to double in 2015

From the core of downtown Louisville, locally made craft beer is spreading.

No longer is the artisanal beverage restricted to a few select neighborhoods. With one new brewery already opened this year, one rebranded and six more on the way — in some areas traditionally lacking their own craft beer spot — the industry seems to be on a delicious mission to take over Kentuckiana.

For years, Louisville and Southern Indiana's local beer scenes stalled with only a handful of established breweries catering to the craft crowd. But between 2010 and 2014, six breweries opened to pick up the slack, and the total number of breweries is now on track to double in the area by the end of 2015 — mimicking a national trend.

According to the Brewers Association, nearly 3,500 craft breweries were operating nationally in 2014 — an about 125 percent increase over the 1,500 breweries operating in 2008.

Start spreading the brews

Kentuckiana breweries on track to double in 2015

Akasha on track for summer opening

3rd Turn brings craft beer south of Watterson

Old Louisville brewery focuses on community

Beer Engine to expand to Louisville

Clifton's Bannerman Brewing eyes opening soon

Over the past few weeks, The Courier-Journal stopped by six breweries in various stages of construction to get the lowdown on where they stand. Each brewery presented a different character befitting of its surroundings — including a medieval brewpub in New Albany, a neighborhood joint in Old Louisville and the first brewery south of the Watterson Expressway — and the owners all spoke highly of the progress the overall craft beer community has made.

"I envisioned there would be tons of competition and lack of cooperation, but literally I have breweries and restaurants reaching out to us saying, 'Hey, how can I help you, what do you need?'" said Floyd County Brewing owner Brian Hampton. "... I think the demand is so high right now for craft beer that I don't think people are feeling the competition yet. It's a cool thing."

Hampton's brewery, with the medieval theme, stayed mostly under the radar as the owner searched for the right location while other breweries have been on the coming list for years.

Under a new breweries section on LouisvilleBeer.com, progress on three breweries — Akasha, Bannerman and Beer Engine — has been kept track of since at least 2013.

"We're getting there," said Beer Engine owner Brian Holton. "We're still in it. People have heard about us coming for over two years, and I'm sure some people have given up hope on us. But we're still in it. We're not going to quit yet."

Problems with finding the right spaces and getting approvals for various beer production and taproom licenses extended timelines for some of the projects, but the owners say those issues are mostly expected when opening a brewery.

"Everyone who I've asked advice from said double your budget and triple your timeline," said Akasha co-owner Rick Stidham. "And they weren't far off."

But with construction started — and in some cases almost finished — on each of the six new breweries, it's safe to say Kentuckiana's craft beer options will only grow, despite any hiccups along the way.

"Not many people would get into doing something like this unless they're drawn to making beer and making people happy with the beer that you make," said Bannerman co-owner Jeff Pluhar, who added that he's excited about the craft beer expansion. "There's plenty of room in Louisville. All that will happen is we'll get better beer from it."

Remember to drink smart, drink safe. Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at (502) 582-4646. Follow her on Twitter at @bloosemore.

BREWERY BREAKDOWN

3rd Turn Brewing

The owners plan to solidify craft beer's place south of the Watterson Expressway with Jeffersontown's first brewery, located in a renovated church.

Where: 10408 Watterson Trail

When: Expected to open in September.

More info: Find the brewery under 3rd Turn Brewing on Facebook and @3rdturnbrewing on Twitter. Check out the website at http://3rdturnbrewing.com/.

Akasha Brewing Company

The Nulu brewery is turning a former Jeep garage into a cozy yet semi-industrial taproom with 24 taps.

Where: 909 E. Market St., Suite 700

When: Expected to open this summer.

More info: Find the brewery under Akasha Brewing Company on Facebook and @akashabrewingco on Twitter.

Bannerman Brewing

The Clifton brewery is renovating a former distillery into an industrial taproom.

Where: 1725 Mellwood Ave.

When: Expected to open by year's end.

More info: Find the brewery under Bannerman Brewing on Facebook.

Beer Engine

Germantown's first brewery is an expansion of a business that started in Danville, though the second location will be named something different once it opens. Find it in the former Zeppelin Cafe.

Where: 1036 Burnett Ave.

When: Expected to open this summer.

More info: Find the brewery under Beer Engine on Facebook and @KYBeerEngine on Twitter. Check out the website at http://www.kybeerengine.com/.

Floyd County Brewing Company

New Albany's latest brewery hopes to be part of the city's downtown revitalization, turning a former shotgun home into a medieval destination.

Where: 129 W. Main St.

When: Expected to open this summer.

More info: Find the brewery under Floyd County Brewing on Facebook and @floydcountybrew on Twitter. Check out the website at https://sites.google.com/site/floydcountybrewing/.

Old Louisville Brewing Co.

Old Louisville's first brewery — owned by two brothers — hopes to become a neighborhood joint with regulars in walking distance.

Where: 625 W. Magnolia Ave.

When: Expected to open in October.

More info: Find the brewery under Old Louisville Brewing on Facebook and @OldLouBrew on Twitter.

ONLINE ONLY

Find videos and read individual stories about the six coming breweries online at www.courier-journal.com/beer.