E-Malt.com News article: USA, SC: Growler Haus opens in Anderson

Growler Haus, a new venture from Craig Kinley, opens in Anderson this week, Independent Mail reported on June, 14.

"The idea for this came in December and we committed to it by March," said Kinley, owner and operator of Growler Haus. "And as soon as we started talking about it, people got interested really quick."

Since March, Kinley has been making himself known all over the community, putting on beer tastings at local businesses like Kitchen Emporium and Gallery 313, participating in events like Anderson On Tap and joining groups like the Just Brew It homebrew club. In that time, Kinley has been garnering support for his new business venture by getting other craft-beer lovers involved and taking in all the feedback people wanted to offer.

"We have tried to make this more of a rustic, unique, club-style spot," Kinley said. "It's a casual hangout like if your buddy built a bar in his house and asked you to come over for a pint or two."

Kinley's approach to the beer and growler shop model is certainly a unique one. While some offer the rarest beers possible and others sell wine, food and even homebrew supplies, Growler Haus is planning to go a different route. Kinley will start by selling growlers to go, but he also wants to give customers the opportunity to hang out and enjoy a pint.

So Kinley put up four flat-screen TVs, got his on-premise beer and wine license and will be selling beer and wine by the glass from his growler store.

"It's a beer store, for sure, but it's also a sit-down bar," Kinley said. "If you spend $12 to $18 on a growler of beer, you should have the chance to enjoy a pint of the beer first if you want to."

Kinley said Growler Haus will offer 12 different beers including some that will be there on a consistent basis and others that will rotate with the season and based on availability. Opening day beers will likely include Son of a Peach from RJ Rockers, a beer by Dogfish Head Brewing, Abita's Jockamo IPA, Sam Adams Boston Lager, Angry Orchard apple cider, Blue Moon and selections from Highland Brewing, Sweetwater and more.

There will also be a selection of 22-ounce and 750 ml bottles and a cooler filled with individual bottles for mix-and-match six packs. Add that to the available pints of any draft beers, a few cans in the "old school" section like Miller High Life and PBR and wine by the glass for those who prefer it, and Growler Haus is set to offer something a little different to the downtown business scene.

Kinley has said from the beginning that he wants to compliment the growing scene that downtown Anderson is offering of late. From the Kitchen Emporium and new bike shop, 3 Cross Tri, from new restaurants like Trio to mainstays like McGee's Irish Pub, Kinley said he hopes to team up with many for a variety of events throughout the year.

In fact, Kinley said he is open to any kind of idea or input that will make Growler Haus better.

He hopes the growing number of beer lovers will come through and make Growler Haus one of their craft-beer homes.

"Doing this, you wouldn't believe the number of beer lovers there are out there," Kinley said. "There is a kind-of underground craft beer culture in Anderson that includes homebrewers and just people who love to try new beers. We want to give them a place to talk about that and share the passion we all have for a good beer."


15 June, 2012