Wiseacre Brewery plans to build a large brewery in downtown Memphis.
The property is located at BB King and Butler in the South Main area of the city.
The company is seeking a Board of Adjustment variance to build on 2.5 acres bounded by B.B. King, Johnson, Vance, and Abel.
According to application filed with the Memphis/Shelby County Office of Planning and Development, Wiseacre Brewing Co. is planning on building a new facility on 2.5 acres of land located between 3rd and Vance Avenue that would accommodate a much greater production brewery than current production on Broad Ave. It would have a much larger tap room experience than at its current location in Binghampton.
Wiseacre hopes to be complete the project by December 2019. The current location on Broad Avenue would remain as a small specialty brewhouse. The development includes 40,000 sq. ft. of space, which will house a full-scale tap room, 80,000 bbl production brewery, and a compact storage facility.
According to the application, the project will eliminate an entire block of voided earth, increase property values, and link the Civil Rights Museum to greater parts of downtown. The plan will create a fun, art-friendly environment with various public works of art and hopes to foster creativity and development in the surrounding area.
Wiseacre opened in 2013 on Broad Ave. In 2016, it floated the idea of moving to the former Coliseum at the fairgrounds. At the time, the owner said the brew company needed space to expand, but that idea never came to fruition.
Wiseacre is not vacating its brewery on Broad Avenue, but will convert that Binghampton site to a smaller, specialty brewhouse, according to it’s the letter of intent to the Board of Adjustment states.
The board of adjustment hearing will be held December 19th.
Wiseacre sent Local 24 News the following release:
Memphis-based WISEACRE Brewing Company announces plans to expand its operations with the building of a second brewing facility and taproom in Memphis. The land currently under contract in the South Main District of downtown will hold a larger brewing facility being designed to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for their beer.
“We reached capacity at our original location on Broad Avenue more than two years ago, just three years after we opened it. We have had distribution opportunities that we had to turn down because we didn’t have production capacity. Our success is ultimately a testament to the people of Memphis – their support made this massive growth possible, and we are so grateful,” said WISEACRE co-founder Kellan Bartosch. “It’s only fitting that we find another location in our hometown to continue to grow. We are excited to be a part of the renaissance happening in the South Main corridor and look forward to working with the Downtown Memphis Commission to make our vision come to life.”
Brothers Davin and Kellan Bartosch, with the backing of fellow Memphis native Frank Smith, founded WISEACRE in 2013. Prior to starting WISEACRE, Davin and Kellan gained a decade of experience working in the brewing industry around the country. Over the last five years, the brewery has become the largest craft brew producer in the state of Tennessee and one of the South’s most popular craft breweries operating in seven states. WISEACRE is best known for its pilsner, Tiny Bomb, which won the bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2014. The second production facility will not only allow increased production for their five year-round beers but also open up creativity in the brewing process at the Broad Avenue location.
“From a technical perspective, the new equipment is thrilling. The more you can control the brewing process, the better the beer will be. We want to make the best beer in the world and make it in Memphis,” said WISEACRE co-founder and brewmaster Davin Bartosch. “Kellan and I have always loved South Main and its character. Many people have paved the way to make downtown and South Main what they are. We stand on their shoulders and look forward to providing an authentic Memphis experience in the downtown facility.”
Production will continue at the location on Broad Avenue, but the brothers have yet to reveal specific plans for the evolution of their current home. “Broad Avenue is our first home, and with the new facility freeing up production schedules, we plan to blow the doors wide open in terms of creativity,” added Davin.
Additionally, WISEACRE announced that Kemmons Wilson Companies made an investment in the business. Along with providing funding for the downtown facility, Kemmons Wilson Companies will support future strategic growth. Construction on the new building is set to begin in winter of 2018. The current WISEACRE brewery and taproom are located at 2783 Broad Avenue where over 150 beers, ranging from hoppy American styles to complex and boozy Belgians, have been made. For more information or to schedule a tour of the Memphis tap room, visit www.wiseacrebrew.com.
