Hutton & Smith brewery triples the size of its taproom
Hutton & Smith on M.L. King triples size of taproom
Amid some serious growth since opening in 2015, Hutton & Smith Brewing Co. is expanding its east M.L. King Boulevard space, which will triple the brewery’s seating capacity from 49 to 148 people.
The expansion comes shortly after it was ranked among the 50 fastest growing small and independent craft breweries across 25 states by the Brewers Association. The owners, husband-and-wife team Melanie and Joel Kraustrunk, also recently hired another brewer — Matt Warren, a former homebrewer — to bring some new sour brews to their menu.
Melanie Kraustrunk said when they opened, they couldn’t afford to expand into the now-vacant space next door, so Jazzanooga, a nonprofit centered on the arts, moved into it.
Melanie said they outgrew their space for distribution just four months after opening. She said now is the perfect time to expand since Jazzanooga has moved out from next door.
“I’ll be bartending and see people coming in and then turning around and leaving because we are so busy,” she said.
The added space will also be available for private events for groups under 100. There are four couches for casual seating, tables and a shuffleboard on the new side, as well.
The brewery will be unveiling the expansion at its Cinco de Mayo event this weekend when it will also be releasing five new, limited brews, including its first gose — a sour, tart beer — called Margarita Gose. The brewery also will release three barrelaged beers and a Belgian strong.