Start Spreading the Brews
2Toms Brewing Company Expands to Fishers
Writer / Noah Alatza
Photographer / Walker Photography
An independent craft beer company known for making flavor-forward beers will continue their expansion in central Indiana.
2Toms Brewing Company was originally founded in Fort Wayne in 2017, and has since expanded operations to a second Indianapolis-area location on the 96th Street corridor in Fishers.
Owner Tom Carpenter had been scouting multiple locations in the central Indiana market since early 2021, with sites in Westfield, Fishers and Lawrence under consideration. Ultimately, the space on 96th Street won over the other prospective locations due to the location and amenities, including the size and layout of the kitchen.
The former Redemption Alewerks bar was previously located in the space. Major renovations in early to mid 2022 reworked the former brewhouse for storage and a draft system that is better designed for ease of use. The iconic, horseshoe-shaped bar remains.
The Fishers location officially opened on July 1.
We picked Fishers because it wasnt as established and its an up-and-coming area, says 2Toms Brewing Fishers General Manager Kevin Groover. There werent too many other options here, so it was a perfect spot.
Groover says the nearly 4,000-square-foot space, located on East 96th Street, features a new taproom in a family-friendly environment.
We are known for incorporating balanced and clean beers, Groover says. [Owner Tom Carpenter] had a great following at his brewery in Fort Wayne, and every time we went to beer festivals, we had a lot of folks from the Indy area asking when we would open something in the area.
Groover says they decided to open 2Toms Brewing north of Indianapolis in Fishers because the market was already established with breweries and taprooms in the capital city. He says the overall community support has been phenomenal so far, despite some early setbacks.
We had some hurdles at first because we didnt get an official sign out in front, because of a backorder due to COVID, Groover says. We are doing a bit of marketing here and there, but not too much out of the gate, because we kind of want it to build up so we wont be too overwhelmed.
Groover says they currently operate with a small, close-knit staff, but that will likely change in the future. He says October was a big month for business because they launched their Cereal Killer beer series, which is based on 12 different breakfast cereal flavors. He says the beer selection changes on a monthly basis, meaning theres always something new for guests to try during a visit.
We dont have core beers on our taps, Groover says. We keep inventing new beers and recipes, and have styles from lagers to stouts just to keep it interesting. What sets us apart is we treat our beers like a chef in the kitchen. Owner Tom Carpenter focuses on these culinary beers, which include well-balanced ingredients for a clean, fresh and delicious experience that hits the mark.
Groover says their experiments with different beer flavors can sometimes take them back to the drawing board. He says this allows them to figure out what works and what does not.
2Toms Brewing also sells cans and bottles for carry-out, and their selection is constantly changing.
As for food, the brewery currently partners with Rusted Silo Southern BBQ & Brew House in Lizton for their award-winning barbecue, including beef brisket, smoked chicken and pulled pork, plus loaded mac-and-cheese bowls and sides like collard greens, ranch beans and coleslaw.
We are looking to expand our food menu, but it wont be too big because we want to focus on the beer and a good customer experience, Groover says.
The current space does include room for a traditional brewery, and brewing is currently done at their production space in Fort Wayne. Company officials say they would consider specialty batches in Indianapolis down the road.
The 2Toms Brewing Fishers team is also looking to host events in their parking lot in the future.
We are extremely excited about this opportunity and hope to replicate the unique customer experience found at our current Fort Wayne location, Carpenter said in a press release. The plan is to include many of the open-concept features and decor, but also create an identity unique to Indianapolis.
2Toms Brewing is located at 7035 East 96th Street in Indianapolis. To learn more, visit 2tomsbrewing.com.
