E-Malt.com News article: USA, IN: 18th Street Brewery to open this summer

18th Street Brewery, which has secured a location in the Miller Beach area, Gary, Northwest Indiana, is preparing to open, nwitimes.com reported on June, 8.

Founder and brewer Drew Fox said it is Gary’s first craft brewery.

“I’m doing something in my community,” said Fox, a Gary resident of five years. “This is an opportunity not just for Gary but for Northwest Indiana to really support something. I’m all in. I want to give something that’s positive to this community. When people ask me: 'Why Gary?' I ask: 'Why not?'”

The brewery already has established a following in the Chicago market, because Fox has been contract brewing his brand at Pipeworks Brewing.

“We want to promote people coming from Chicago on the train,” Drew Fox said. “We have one of the best locations for a tap room and brewery in Northwest Indiana.”

George Rogge, president of the Miller Business Association, said the brewery will become an important anchor on the street.

Fox has been so enamoured with Rogge’s support for his business that the brewery will produce a year-round IPA called Rogge Racer.

Fox said 18th Street will operate as a brewery and taproom. He'll offer six beers on tap (some year-round, some rotating) in addition to growlers and 22-ounce bottles to go. Bottles also are planned for distribution across Northwest Indiana with a plan to evolve into six packs and canning.

"We’re making great beers,” Fox said. “We really have to invest as much as we can back into this community. We’re the new guy on the block, there’s a new beer in town.”


14 June, 2013