Posted by Mike at fuzzybrew.com
Memphian Drew Barton and his wife Melodie moved to Asheville, N.C., in 2005 so he could pursue a career in craft brewing.
Barton got hired at French Broad Brewing Company and worked his way up to head brewer.
Barton moved back to Memphis in 2010 and has been working to establish a craft brewery in his hometown and his neighborhood, Cooper-Young.
Today he made it official, announcing plans to open the doors of Memphis Made Brewing Company by mid-2013, bringing more local craft beer to
the Bluff City.
“Our philosophy is simple: local is fresh, and fresh is better. Our mission is to expand the boundaries of beer for and from our community,†said Barton, Memphis Made president and head brewer.
Memphis Made will be leasing space at 768 S. Cooper, just south of Central, and will produce beer for sale at bars and restaurants throughout Shelby County.
Memphis Made will brew on a 10-barrel system and it will initially only be a production brewery. But Memphis Made has plans to ultimately open its doors for brewery tours and a small tasting room.
“We’re in the process of ordering equipment and working with contractors to get things moving along,†Barton said. “There’s a lot to be done, but we’re taking our time with it to make sure we get it right.â€
Barton is one of the founders of the Cooper-Young Regional Beerfest and is a member of the Bluff City Brewers & Connoisseurs homebrew club.
Memphis Made will join a growing craft beer scene that includes Ghost River Brewingand Boscos and new addition High Cotton Brewing Co., which is under construction at 598 Monroe.