Elm Street Brewing Company

MUNCIE – Cars are lined down the block adjacent to Elm Street Brewing Company, Muncie’s newest brewery. It opened less than a year ago on Nov. 18, 2016, but it is already popular enough to require an overflow parking lot.

The 100-year-old ice factory is a brick building, and is contradictory in its appearance, exhibiting both rustic and urban aesthetics. The bar’s name is painted in white letters running alongside the outer wall.

“It's fun to watch first time visitors enter the space,” co-owner Eric Jones said. “The jaws drop and it literally takes them a few minutes to absorb in the incredible atmosphere.”

Rock music is playing outside in the courtyard that is already packed at 8 p.m. It’s Saturday evening, and just like every Saturday people will gather to hear live bands and enjoy the unique beers on tap that Elm Street Brewing Company offers. This is just one of the weekly events hosted by the brewery.

Every Monday they host trivia night. Wednesday is a vinyl night and Thursday offers live jazz. They even usually have bands play on Fridays and Saturdays, which is particularly enjoyable when the weather is nice and the outdoor beer garden and stage are open.

Guests will enter into a rustic foyer and be greeted by a sign that says “Welcome Friends to Elm Street.” Moving through the doorway, customers will enter a room that continues the rustic, urban vibe. Exposed brick walls and sheet metal ceilings are the perfect combination to draw in customers.

“At Elm Street, you see the fusion of some really amazing construction techniques within a very specialized building,” Jones said. “In order to store ice in the early 1900's the building had to be created with incredibly thick walls and timbers. It's a space that you have to experience for yourself and then I think readers will understand why we chose this spot.”

Elm Street Brewing Company offers a variety of house beers on tap, including their newest brew, “Death of the Norseman.” It is described on their website as featuring “Mosaic, Galaxy, Citra, and Calypso hops with additions of mango and a subtle tingle from habaneros.”

Since its opening, Jones said they have brewed over 50 unique beers. They have also pioneered kettle sours in order to attract customers who don’t drink beer, and meads and ciders for gluten free customers. They also have a wine list and non-alcoholic beverages.

Bartender Chelcee Bilbrey said that their IPAs are very popular because of the way they are brewed. Elm Street Brewing Company decided to go for a hazy style, which both confused and pleased customers.

Bilbrey also has two recommendations for the upcoming seasons. For fall, customers shouldn’t miss “The Witch.” According to their menu, this is a “black saison brewed with sweet grass, marshmallow root, hibiscus, and wild cherry bark.”

For when the weather gets even colder, Bilbrey recommends “Up the Anti Matter” because it’s brewed with coffee. According to the menu, this brew includes “roasted and caramel malts on a clean two-row backbone. The star of this show is the coffee from Dark Matter Coffee.” It is a collaboration with local coffee shop The Cup and uses the same coffee.

Jones said he and his partner Tyler Hutchison wanted to open this brewery because they felt Muncie was ready for a place “that honored local traditions but also provided a feeling that you were transported to someplace new.”

The crowd is very diverse, from students and professors to local residents and professionals. Jones hopes visiting Elm Street Brewing Company gives guests a chance to converse with friends in a relaxing atmosphere. The owners have spent a significant amount of time traveling, but always felt that Muncie was home and were ready to open a brewery the town they loved.

Elm Street Brewing Company is currently undergoing some renovations, and will soon be opening a restaurant on site. A full menu will be opening this fall, including appetizers, brick-oven pizza, salads, sandwiches and other special entrees.

Elm Street Brewing Company is located at 519 N Elm Street, Muncie, Ind. The tasting room is open Monday – Thursday from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., Friday 4 p.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday 3 p.m. – 12 a.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. For more information, visit their website: http://elmstbrewing.com/