Walking Tree Brewery Taproom to open June 23
VERO BEACH – A new craft brewery, Walking Tree Brewery, will be opening its taproom beginning June 23 and hosting a grand opening celebration July 16 from 2 to 8 p.m.
Business partners Alan Dritenbas, 33, and Mike Malone, 35, Vero Beach and Fort Pierce natives, started home brewing beer and entering competitions five years ago.
After experiencing the satisfaction of seeing others enjoy a keg of their brews, the two began to study the history of the craft industry and developed a plan for a brewery in Vero Beach.
Their research led them to 3209 Dodger Road, an aviation supply warehouse built by the Navy in 1945. It may look metal from the outside, but inside there are architectural details such as wooden trusses and railway remnants that add historical appeal. It now houses Walking Tree Brewery’s 20-barrel brew house, capable of producing a goal of 10,000 barrels per year.
In addition to keeping taproom hours seven days a week (Monday through Thursday, 3 to 10 p.m.; Friday, 3 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.), they’ll also be offering brewery tours with tastings.
Their plans are to keep a variety of traditional options on tap – from pale ales to creamy stouts. Dritenbas refers to himself as a “malthead,” and prefers to brew lighter, malty beers. He also hopes to bottle and can their creations in the future.
See WalkingTreeBrewery.com for more details.