Powell’s Nocterra Brewing Co. is eyeing the Brewery District for its first expansion.
Leaning into their motto of ‘Beer + Outside = Nocterra,’ the brewery’s new taproom would be nestled inside of the Scioto Audubon Metro Park at 516 Maier Place.
While being embedded in a popular park is a big draw, “We wanted something that was outside of our zone, closer to Downtown,” says Nocterra Co-Owner Bryan Duncan.
Taking over a vacant space in the large warehouse and office park that sits in the Scioto Audubon, Nocterra would be neighbors with climbing gym Bloc Garten and near the climbing wall and dog park.
Nocterra’s new location will feature indoor seating along with two patios – one in the front of the building as well as a 2,100 plus square foot rooftop addition that features its own outdoor bar.
Duncan is mum on exact details of what all will be available in the taproom, and if any on-site brewing would occur, but says there’s a lot left to work through before the project moves forward.
The brewery presented a conceptual plan to the Brewery District Commission at its October 7 meeting to generally positive feedback. Duncan says they are working on some design elements with the property owner and still waiting for a few other things to fall in line.
The project would have to return to the commission for final approval before moving forward. There’s not a hard schedule yet, but if things come together, Duncan hopes the space could open as soon as summer 2022.
Overall the plan would help Nocterra replicate one thing that helped the brewery navigate the difficulties of the pandemic. Duncan says their large, outdoor beer garden was a huge asset, providing guests a comfortable space to come to during the pandemic. He also credits their canning operation that started before the pandemic, and the ability to then establish retail accounts, as another factor that helped Nocterra get through 2020 and 2021 and to a place of being ready to expand.
Nocterra opened the doors to its Powell brewery and taproom, 41 Depot St., in February 2019.
For more information, visit nocterrabrewing.com.
