26 Feb Early March is the Target for Opening Brew Link Downtown in Indy
by Mark E. Lasbury for Indiana On Tap
I recently ran into Ruari Crabbe of Brew Link Brewing and Nigh Brewpub and just had to ask him a question that had been on my mind for few weeks. I asked, “Didn’t you open a completely new location for Brew Link with a huge kitchen just about a year ago?” He answered in the affirmative. So I ventured, “Then didn’t you open a new brewpub called Nigh about six months ago?” He said, “Yep.”
I tried for one last question, “So now you’re getting ready to open a Brew Link location in downtown Indy?” He nodded and said that they were. How does something like that happen? He told me, “Our business partners, Brett Crandall (the Idea guy!) and Brad Hoke joked about a second location (Nigh) right after we opened up the new Brew Link. I couldn’t fathom having another location, or even talking about one six months after opening a new pub – but it happened. The inside joke with all three of us was ‘wait until we open a third.’ It was a ‘just kidding, no, but seriously’ kind of idea. We as a group really were not actively looking for another place, it was more of if we drove by location or heard of something we would take a look at it. When we looked at a building on the north side, the real estate agent put us in touch with Keith Reilly at Two Deep.”
image credit: Brew Link Brewing
So it was all true. A few months before the pandemic hit Ruari and his partners had started from scratch and built a new brewpub that dwarfed their original taproom – then they opened a second brewpub during the pandemic – and now they are getting ready to open a third. They’ve taken some real gambles, and they’re now seeing them pay off. Ruari was quick to point out that while Brett and Brad were originally silent partners, much of these new expansions have relied on their efforts and he is glad to see them now getting public credit for their work.
TwoDEEP Brewing on 7th and Capitol in Indianapolis closed a few months ago after being sold by original owner Andy Meyers to Keith Reilly and the O’Reilly Irish Pub group. Despite eventually finding some stability with Beppe Cuello in the brewhouse and having things go well, they chose to consider offers on the business. Now that Brew Link is has taken ownership, they have a turn key brewpub that is ready to take on a different atmosphere, beer list, and menu. Rather than call this by a new name and develop a new brand as they did with Nigh Brewpub, this location will be under the Brew Link brand and will be called Brew Link Downtown (714 N. Capitol).
Look for a new feel from Brew Link Downtown, but not a complete gutting and redoing of the space. Ruari told me, “Not to call the space ugly by any means as it is a beautiful space, it just doesn’t fit our style. Paint, lighting, rearrange the barback, new draft system, more TVs, more tables/chairs (spaced out 6 ft). Since it isn’t a gut and build out, it’s more of just a facelift.” The kitchen will be expanded significantly, but the brewhouse cam with the new space and will be utilized to its fullest.
image credit: Nigh Brewing
Having the brewhouse at Downtown means that the Ruari and Mikey have three different systems they can be making beer on, one at each location. But it also means that they are going to have many, many more people drinking their beer, so just keeping themselves in beer is going to be a task. Look for the great variety of beers at all locations, but keep ideas of vastly increased beer in distribution on hold, at least for a little while. Ruari added, “Shelby Melban has taken on an assistant brewer role and has done a great job helping us in every way. Until we are fully operational downtown, Mike and Shelby will continue pumping out beers for you.”
To go with all the beer, Brett and Brad have big plans for the expanded kitchen downtown. “A menu to please the masses” is their strategy, and, “They have worked together to create a hell of a menu with a lot of made in house items. We are bringing in a smoker, making our own tortillas, sauces, and salsas for tacos and adding some other house favorites from our two other pubs.”
The press release from Brew Link also highlighted the food for the downtown location, saying, “All dishes have been infused with creativity and flair by our team of chefs. Everyone is invited to stop in & check out the unique dishes along with our award-winning beer. Some highlights from the menu are: House Smoked Chicken Wings, Smoked Asian Brisket Tips, a variety of steakburgers, a great selection of handhelds including a Buffalo Cauliflower Wrap, tacos with hand rolled tortillas and house made salsas, Specialized Mac ‘n Cheese menu with our Imagine Lager beer cheese, and a nice salad selection to include the blackened Salmon Caesar. You also won’t want to miss our Saturday & Sunday brunch menu with Mimosa towers.”
The work is going on to change to look at Brew Link Downtown. image credit: Brew Link Brewing
Brew Link Downtown is looking good for a March 8th opening, but with Covid and the restrictions that come with that, Ruari says that might change (perhaps March 15). There will be posts about hiring in the people they’re going to need, so keep your eye on Indiana On Tap Jobs on Facebook.
Finally, Ruari knows how big a deal it is to open a new location now (or, for them, two locations during Covid), and he says,” I want people to know that they are loved and appreciated for keeping us going during this pandemic. From every single team member at Brew Link and Nigh to every customer who shows up to support us, thank you! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I hope opening a new pub during a pandemic will shed just a little positivity and that there is still some hope that things will start to get better for us all. As always, a special shout out to the wives, Alayne Crandall, Jessica Crabbe, and Kirsten Hoke who hold our foundations together and keeping us three crazies going.”
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