Bottoms up
SmockTown Brewery is Built on a Passion for Beer and Community
Writer / Renee Larr
Photographer / Brandi Caplinger
Greenwood was first known as Smocktown, in honor of brothers and early settlers John B. Smock and Isaac Smock. Another set of brothers have honored Greenwoods roots by naming their new brewery after those first settlers. SmockTown Brewery opened in mid-October.
The owners are brothers-in-law, says Cynthia Ader, assistant manager. They both have full-time jobs other than the brewery. One has done a lot of small brewing for the last 20 years. Hes been interested in brewing for a long time. The other owns the building, and when he saw the opportunity to open this wonderful brewery, they took it. It all kind of just fell together.
The space is an old historic building located in the Riverfront district on Pleasant Creek.
The building was built in the early 1900s, Ader says. There was significant work that needed to be done to get the building up to code. A lot has been done inside, but the outside of the building is still original. Almost all of the walls inside are exposed brick to keep that authentic feel. We didnt want anything to cover that up.
There is plenty of space inside and outside for guests to enjoy.
Inside, we have our main bar, Ader says. You can sit right next to our brewing equipment. The only barrier is a fence, but you can see everything with the brewing process. Outside we have a beer garden to enjoy when the weather is nice.
Guests can watch one of five televisions inside the brewery.
Four of the TVs can be one giant screen or four different screens, Ader says. Well use those four screens as one giant screen for the Colts games.
The in-house brews wont be ready upon opening, but they do offer 12 different beers on tap.
We have a variety, Ader says. We have some domestic and we have some local breweries on tap. Once our brewing process is complete, were going to be integrating our beer to the full tap. Were going to start with a traditional ale.
The menu consists of traditional accompaniments like soft pretzels and charcuterie boards.
With the pretzels, we offer different cheese options such as queso and pepper jack cheese, Ader says. Once we have our own beer, well do a custom beer cheese with our beer. We have multiple charcuterie boards to pair with the beer or wine. We have sandwich options like pulled pork, grilled ham and cheese, and chicken panini. The sandwiches are served with a variety of different chips. We also offer soups like tomato and broccoli cheddar, along with some rotating salads.
Future plans include a bourbon bar in the upstairs area.
We do have a three-way liquor license, so we will have a bourbon bar upstairs, Ader says. The atmosphere up there is going to be a little different. There will be more couches, and an area to sit down, relax and hang out. It will be more of a restaurant feel.
The establishment was built and designed with a focus on individuality.
Our environment is a lot different than other breweries, Ader says. We have so many different spaces for people to enjoy. Not only will we serve our beer once its done, but we also serve other beers, wine and liquor. Our food is amazing.
Currently the brewery serves those 21 and older, but Ader hopes that changes in the future.
It all depends on regulations and approval, Ader says.
SmockTown Brewery is located at 223 West Main Street in Greenwood. For more information, visit SmockTown Brewery on Facebook.
