Dave Stein, owner of Mt. Vernon’s Stein Brewing, considered a number of potential locations for a second brewpub in the central-Ohio area before finding what he was looking for in Newark. If you have been to Stein Brewing in Mt. Vernon, you know it is located in the historic 170-year-old Opera House. Stein was the first tenant in that newly renovated building. History is repeating itself, with Stein about to open in the historic 113-year-old Newark Arcade building. This classic building is destined to once again become the crowd jewel of downtown Newark when the $15M renovation is completed late next year.
The former Denison Art Space on W. Church Street has been transformed into a sleek, modern space that will accommodate 130 patrons when it opens next week on St. Patrick’s Day. Stein is bringing some very interesting, and unique concepts to Newark with this location. First, they will offer brew-on-premise with their small ½ barrel brewing system located in the back corner of the taproom. Home brewer wannabe’s will be able to select one of Stein’s recipes and brew a batch of beer which they can keg or bottle. The brewers will be able to create custom labels for their beer for a special occasion or just for the fun of it.
Second, there is no bar in the Stein taproom. Instead, you will find a long, 36 tap serve-yourself beer wall. Each tap offers beer priced by the ounce for the patron to choose and pour. It is not unlike filling your tank with gas. You simply put your card (provided by Stein) into the slot, and pour as much as you like. If you want to sample a number of beers, just pour a couple ounces, if you want a half-pour, a full pour, or anything in between, go for it. If you’re not a self-service type, full service is available as well.
The beer wall will feature 10-15 house beers, 10-15 carefully selected guest beers, several craft sodas, and several Simple Time cocktails. Liquor and wine by the glass are also available. Most of the house beers will be produced at their Mt. Vernon, location, but a handful will be produced on-site with their small brewing system. Among the first Newark brewed house beers will be a homage to Newark’s long-gone Consumer Brewing which began operations in 1897. There will be a Bock, an Extra Pale Ale, and a Prohibition Lager all on tap as a nod to Consumer.
Stein will have a full kitchen on-site with an extensive menu that will include appetizers, burgers, soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. There will be daily specials that will include All-you-can-eat Wings, All-you-can-eat Fish, and a $15 burger and beer option. There will also be boozy milkshakes made with Utica’s Velvet ice cream. The Shamboozy will be made with chocolate chip ice cream, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Jameson whiskey and topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.
Hours will be Wednesday-Thursday 11-9, Friday-Saturday 11-10, and Sunday 11-8. Ultimately, hours will be expanded to include Monday and Tuesday. Stein Brewing is located at 23 W. Church Street in Newark, one block east of the Square.
