Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
The Beer Guy says Asheville’s newest brewery is coming together. It’s going to be called the Lexington Avenue Brewery, and it should open next year some time:
The LAB is coming together. The tanks are in the place. The outline of the bar is taking place. So is the music room, tucked in the back. The restaurant will be up front, with a beer bar. And a very cool covered patio will face Lexington Avenue.
As for the beer, the brewer will be Ben Pierson, who previously worked at Green Man Brewing in Asheville. One of the more colorful characters who has orbited through the Asheville beer universe, Pierson deserves a column all his own. And so that’s what we’ll do here — tell you about the LAB this week, and give you Pierson’s story next week.
The historic building at 39 N. Lexington Ave. dates to 1916 and Healy believes it was once a livery stable. Some of the architectural design sure seems to indicate that. While the public mostly knew it as T.S. Morrison’s store, there are actually four floors here and in the rehab, one will become a hostel, and two will be used as apartments (you should see the views from up there on top). But it’s the LAB that’s going to get Asheville talking.
“This is going to be a traditional brewpub,” Healy said this week. “We are going to try to pair some of the food with the beers that Ben will be making. And we’re going to have an emphasis on live music.” That rear music room will be soundproofed, so diners up front won’t be blasted away by the music, he said.
The restaurant’s menu hasn’t been locked down, but Healy is planning more than just fried bar grub. As for the music, Healy wants to do something like the old Vincent’s Ear, which once was a hangout on Lexington.
