The Unknown Brewing Co. unveils its plans for a micro-distillery
“The idea itself has been around forever,” starts Brad Shell, owner of The Unknown Brewing Co., on the brewery’s upcoming move into distillation.
Previously, Shell hailed from Oregon’s Rogue Ales & Spirits, another brewery that expanded into liquor production.
“About two years ago, we decided to start the process,” he continues. “We just didn’t know how long the process really takes, once you start going through the tax codes, stamps and legal proceedings behind it.”
Construction has already begun in earnest on a project that will fundamentally change the shape of Unknown by early 2018. Having a micro-distillery on-site is just the beginning; expect big changes to the taproom, plus the addition of an upstairs private events space and rooftop patio. And, of course, liquor for purchase.
An area formerly designated as the arcade is already gutted; a lonely row of gaming machines sits in the brewing area, longingly staring at the main bar through the glass expanse. Eventually, that’s where the micro-distillery will call home, separated from the brewhouse by the taproom.
They’re starting small and planning to expand; the brewery’s three-barrel pilot system will feed a 15-gallon still, and they plan on bumping up to a 250-gallon system by the end of next year.
“Before going all-out to a big system, we want to have fun, have a great product to try,” says Shell. “It’s a chance for us to get creative and try something. You see that one-offs, collabs, taproom-only releases are the wave of craft beer. Why not try that on the distillery side as well?”
Recently, laws changed in North Carolina, allowing a distillery to sell five bottles per person per year, up from a previous limit of one bottle. This allowed Unknown to revisit their business plan.
Unknown plans to lead with rum and gin production, with an expansion into bourbon in three years or so.
“It’s where I think the market goes, where it’s already hot in a lot of those categories,” Shell explains, before continuing with a laugh. “It’s also what I drink, so if you’re going to be creative, it’s where you want to play, right?
It just wouldn’t be an Unknown venture without an unusual spin. Imagine gins aged in Chardonnay barrels, or in cooperage formerly used to sour Unknown’s wild ales.
Shell contemplates distilling a barrel-aged imperial stout, then using the stout barrels to hold the spirits, until emptying the barrels to hold more stout, and so forth. Oak barrels will still be employed, but bolstered by exotic species like mahogany, teak or cedar.
In addition to the distillery, the next construction phase will be a wrap-around front bar area. Say goodbye to the dark glass “that always makes us look like we’re closed,” jokes Shell.
Twenty-four taps will be brought in downstairs, with another six added upstairs.
Let’s not forget about the upstairs addition, currently utilized as employee office space. After removing a wall and stretching out the floor, say hello to a rooftop bar with a clear view of Uptown. Glass roll-up doors will be installed both upstairs and down, providing a more friendly exterior appearance.
The tap room’s memorable hop-cone chandelier will be relocated, surrounded by a wraparound staircase leading to the new upstairs patio.
They’re eyeing a completion date of early 2018, with all the build-outs working in tandem. Tap room business should not be impacted during the process, and Unknown invites the public to keep coming in and checking on progress.
Shell’s pumped about the project’s potential, detailing his excitement “to do stuff that furthers craft in Charlotte, in any way we can do it.”
From off-the-wall distillation to a patio with a commanding view of the city, Unknown’s continuing to epitomize their “live without boundaries” slogan.
Photos: Jonathan Wells
This story was originally published October 5, 2017 at 1:00 AM with the headline "The Unknown Brewing Co. unveils its plans for a micro-distillery."