Brewpub Development

Here we go!  Construction on the world’s first co-operatively owned brewpub starts in February.  There’s a lot to be done, but the Workers’ Assembly and many dedicated teams have been working tirelessly to ensure that the construction goes smoothly.  With collaborative efforts from member-owners, we’ve designed a brewpub that is made by the community, for the community.

The design and constructions team, coordinated by Karinne Thornblom, is made up of:
Architect:  Matthew Nesbitt
Mechanical-Electrical-Plumbing (MEP):  AYS
General contractor:  IE2 Construction, Inc.
LEED consultant:  Shawn Lavin
Kitchen group:  Michael Holland and Johnny Livesay
Brewery group:  Jeff Young and Premier Stainless Systems
Financial & Business Development team:  Steven Yarak and Dana Curtis
And many other contributing member-owners!

The Floorplan
Beginning with an initial member-owner team, a general floorplan was created.  Matt Nesbitt took our team’s ideas and created the plans of the space for construction.  Many specialized teams and consultants worked on refining the plan until we now have an efficient, comfortable, and amazingly awesome space!

The member-owners spoke and we listened.  We will be the first brewpub in the nation that is LEED accredited.  To find out the current happenings in general construction, go here.

The Kitchen
Our kitchen team has been working hard to determine the menu that the membership wants and equipment needed to cook it.  A kitchen team will be expanded to incorporate more member-owners.  Check out updates from the kitchen here.

The Brewery
Quality is the key to operating a successful brewery.  If a brewery is properly designed and controlled by a skilled brewer, the beers have the potential to be great.  If you combine that with recipes that were designed and tested by the member-owners that will be eventually drinking at the pub, you get a unique opportunity to have something really special.  Our beers are the voice of our owners, and brewer Jeff is dedicated to making the highest quality member-owner-designed beers ever!  Check out updates from the brewery here.

Finance & Investment
Our goal is to raise $375,000 by March 2010 through organic growth in membership from 1,200 members to 2,000 as well as a member-owner investment offering. The Co-op is confident this goal will be accomplished with just 150 member-owners investing an average of $2,500 each. However, member-owners may also participate in the offering with a minimum investment of just $500.  For more information, email invest@blackstar.coop.