Details on Short Story Charleston

Short Story Brewing announced some details and background on its plan to open a Charleston taproom.

UPDATE (11-24-22): Short Story now open in Charleston (follow link)

“I think we can be in there by the end of October,” said Aaron Rote, Short Story Brewing co-owner and overseer of the Charleston taproom start-up. Aaron will shortly be moving to Charleston to manage the project at least through the taproom opening. Rote says realistically the build out should take two to three months. He credited Pray Construction with moving incredibly fast on the project. The taproom address is 186 Summers Street.

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Catch the entire interview with Aaron Rote on Episode 57 of the West Virginia Beer Roads podcast.
Hear more detail on the new taproom and Short Story’s brewing operations.

Or watch this episode of WV Beer Roads on Brilliant Stream’s YouTube channel

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Building a Charleston craft beer district

Asked about how Short Story selected a location just three doors down from Fife Street Brewing, Aaron said you can give the credit to Fife Street’s Derek Godwin. During a meeting a couple months back, it was Godwin who originally suggested the location at the other end of the Cox Morton Building, in which Fife Street is also located. The Short Story owners had come to Charleston to explore possible locations for their project and were checking out the downtown beer scene including visiting Fife Street Brewing.

The addition of Short Story’s taproom will give the 100 block of Summer Street three prime brewery outlets. In addition to Fife Street Brewing, Bad Shepherd Beer Company is at the south end of the block. The local beer scene in downtown Charleston is definitely looking up.

Taproom details

The taproom will include a spacious bar and table seating area with up to ten taps for Short Story brews. A cold box merchandising unit will be stocked with Short Story cans. Initially, a light food menu will be offered, with the possibilities of a bigger menu in the future. For entertainment, Rote says he plans to program regular live music performances.

No brewing will take place at the Charleston taproom. All Short Story beer will continue to be produced at its main facility in Rivesville, WV. As sales experience builds at the new location, Rote says they may consider expanding their current brewery, if needed to keep up the supply of Short Story beer. He says he thinks the brewery will continue its focus on selling pretty much everything it produces through its own taprooms, rather than adding distribution to other licensees. In the Charleston and southern West Virginia region, this policy will likely keep Short Story beers exclusive to its Charleston taproom. That should make the taproom even more of a draw for beer fans.

Since its start-up five years ago, Short Story has proven itself to be one of the most consistently good brewery operations in the state. Its excellent overall Untappd score of 3.93 on Untappd, from over 25,000 ratings, is evidence of a brewery that excites the craft beer community. Short Story is undoubtedly one of the best producers of popular IPA styles of beer. The brewery also excels in making fruited sours, lagers, and imperial stouts. The taproom will feature those style along with other popular traditional beer styles.

Short Story’s leadership team

Key personnel include two of Aaron’s family members and others. Brewing operations are led by brewery co-owner Mike Kopischke (Rote’s brother-in-law), who has proved himself to be among the state’s best brewing talents. Mike is joined in the brewhouse by Cody Higinbotham, assistant brewer. Aaron’s sister, Abby Kopischke, also a co-owner, serves as the business manager of all Short Story Brewing operations. Sean Lehman manages the Rivesville taproom and does outreach at beer festivals and other community events.

Taproom employee recruitment begins

The search for staff for the Charleston taproom will begin as soon as Aaron gets to Charleston, which is planned for early next week. Interested individuals should watch Short Story Brewing’s Instagram and Facebook pages for announcements.

LINKS

Short Story Rivesville

Short Story Deep Creek, MD

Short Story celebrates 5th anniversary