While Big Lick Brewing makes plans to relocate into bigger quarters along Salem Avenue in downtown Roanoke (the former Habitat for Humanity store), another craft microbrewer that got its start with seed money and business advice from The Advancement Foundation in Vinton is about to debut.
Twin Creeks Brewing Company intends to have a soft opening in October and hold several private events to work out the kinks before opening its tasting room at 111 South Pollard Street in Vinton by early November. Andy Bishop, co-owner with his brother Jason, said in late September that all of the equipment was in place and they were brewing the first batches of beer.
What started as a home brewing hobby has become a business. “This is a dream come true,” says Bishop, “we’ve had this dream for five years [or more]. We’re really excited.” They’ve been doing the construction work themselves in a building next to the Vinton post office and across the street from the old Ford dealership.
Bishop says a 1700 square foot tasting room with small tables and larger community tables will be available to the public. There’s also a 24-foot long bar in what he calls “an industrial-rustic feel” using reclaimed lumber and metal. It promises to be “just a fun place to hang out.”
A ten week class for business startups at The Advancement Foundation and then a presentation at The Gauntlet – the Foundation’s version of TV’s Shark Tank – netted Twin Creeks first place and a package worth $17,000 in cash and services. “We learned an incredible amount of information,” says Bishop.
He likes the growing craft beer culture in the Roanoke Valley as well: “The more people that get exposed to this industry the better for all of the small [brewers] in town. We want to make Roanoke a beer destination. We are all headed down a great beer path in Roanoke.”
See twincreeksbrewing.com or the Facebook page for more on Roanoke County’s first craft brewer.
Gene Marrano
