For nearly 100 years, the Workingmen’s Beneficial Union (WBU) social hall that sat upon the hilltop in Spring Hill was a community space for the neighborhood – complete with a bowling alley and ball room.
However, seemingly after a blowout Y2K party, the building sat untouched for the better part of 15 years. Now, after extensive renovation, this historic building is reclaiming its title as a social hub in the neighborhood.
Dubbed “Rescue Street Farms,” this former WBU hall is once again home to more than a few exciting projects: urban garden, event space, and now, brewery. After three years of extensive renovations, the farm currently gearing up for the grand opening of it’s final chapter – and pièce de résistance – Spring Hill Brewing.
This highly anticipated brewery will have its grand opening this Friday, July 13, and henceforth offer regular hours from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m on Friday and Saturday.
“Everything really came together,” says Greg Kamerdze, owner of Spring Hill Brewing. “I had an idealized version of my perfect brewery, and it was pretty much every aspect of this, down to the Asado food truck in the parking lot.”
Spring Hill Brewing’s location in the center of a bustling urban farm couldn’t be more perfect, as the brewery will serve many farmhouse style ales.
“Using a mixed culture of lively yeast strains, we produce unique and complex session ales that are typically 5% abv and under. We offer five flagship beers, three rotating seasonals, and other specialties. Some are hoppy, some are sour, and some taste like a sourdough pretzel,” says the brewery on their Indiegogo page.
As these beers have a lower abv, it offers guests who make the trek up to the farm the opportunity to relax and stay a while in the space.
“It’s a comfortable and casual place to have a beer,” says Kamerdze. “The taproom is very cozy. I hope people come in and are compelled to stay and have a few beers.”
Spring Hill Brewing’s flagship beers include “Sunrise,”a fluffy and light ale spiced with coriander, chamomile, and a smidgen of caraway, “Afternoon,” a mild farmhouse ale with notes of lightly dried fruits, bright and spicy citrus, freshly baked bread and “Dusk,” a Belgian nut brown ale made from a sticky mash of oats and toasted barley.
With stunning views and plenty of green space, this brewery is set to become an escape from the city (that is located only 10 minutes from downtown).
More information on Spring Hill Brewing can be found online.
Spring Hill Brewing (1958 Varley St)
Mary Lou Egan says
Lived on Spring Hill. My uncle was president of WBU for many years. Looking forward to visit your new place.