Charleston Brewing out, Bad Shepherd in; changes planned

As has been reported in the rumor mill, the Charleston Brewing Company era is coming to an end. The brewery owned by Charleston resident Ann Saville is selling its assets to a new entity: Bad Shepherd Beer Company.

While the transition will likely take a couple more months, Charleston is not losing its downtown brewery. Bad Shepherd Beer Company is organized by the same group of folks that operate the adjoining Black Sheep Burrito & Brews.

Ryan Heastings, Charleston Brewing’s talented head brewer, has moved on and is now brewing for Fat Heads Brewery near Cleveland. Charleston Brewing will continue to sell off the remaining beer it has already brewed. (I don’t imagine it will last all that long, however. So if you want to enjoy their beer for a final time, don’t wait too long.)

Patrick Guthrie, spokesperson for Bad Shepherd Beer Company, says that since it is a start-up brewery, Bad Shepherd must first obtain its required government permits and licenses — a process that will likely take several months.

“We are essentially a new start-up and about half way through the licensing process,” Patrick Guthrie stated.

He says the new brewery will use the next couple of months to build its team and create the new brand. Just who the new head brewer will be has not yet been announced. He is hopeful that Bad Shepherd can be selling beer by January 2017.

Bad Shepherd plans operational changes

We asked Guthrie a few questions about the plans for Bad Shepherd, and he provided some interesting information.

Q.  What beer styles can we expect to see? 

A.  Primarily will  be focusing on American Ales with some Belgian and German influence that could lead into some funky infusions of sorts.

Q. The word is you are leaving general distribution to focus on selling your beer through your own restaurants. Could you comment on that?

Q. Can we expect all your restaurants to also sell other brands of beer in addition to your own?

A.  Primarily the beers being served at Black Sheep will be Bad Shepherd Brewing with a few spots from time to time being guest taps.  The Bahnhof will have over 45 beers on tap, so there will just be a few beers featured from Bad Shepherd Beer Company and 95% of the taps being curated.

[Editor’s Note: Raj and a few other popular Charleston Brewing recipe beers will likely remain in the BSBC line-up, just with a new brewer.]

Heastings believes new synergies will move Bad Shepherd ahead

I’ve heard a few questions and speculation about Ryan Heastings’ departure, so I reached out to him to get his take on the overall situation. Ryan thinks that, much like the initial partnership between CBC and Black Sheep was a net positive for both entities, this new brewery and restaurant relationship will create even more positive synergies.

“Ultimately, it will allow for more direct management of the brewery to take place,” Ryan says, “with more related events and activity resulting from that.”

He also believes that the natural financial synergies that come with a brewpub operation will help make the brewery a better business.

“(That is) something the (Charleston) brewery missed over the past few years,” he adds. “It’s a good thing for everyone, especially the drinker.”

One door closes, another door opens

Heastings says that leaving Charleston Brewing was not a spur-of-the-moment decision for him, quite the opposite.

“It was something I’d been discussing with the Savilles for more than a year,” he says, “given family circumstances for me at home, along with the obvious fact that one can’t, regardless of effort, effectively run and grow a brewery working there three or four days a week, while living in another state.

“It became obvious to me that the biggest factor holding the brewery back, was me. Also, it was simply time for me to move on, and continue to develop as a professional in a different setting.

“I was fortunate to have Fat Heads reach out to me about coming on board there — an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. Hence, I’ve moved out of my role in Charleston, and into one at their production facility outside Cleveland. It’s a great place, staffed and run by great people.”

Leaving CBC was bittersweet

As you might guess, Ryan says leaving his Charleston job has been a bittersweet experience.

“I loved working at the brewery, and also loved its role in a town in the midst of trying to reinvent itself. Both the successes and failures of the venture were ultimately great to be a part of.

“It was also great to make many friends and connections within the local beer scene, there. A lot of really kind and generous people who are admirable in their support of their town. A people and a place that will always bring a smile to my face.”

I know all his fans in Charleston wish him well in his new endeavors. Ryan definitely moved craft beer ahead in Charleston, and local beer fans are grateful for it.