Thanks to Consuming Louisville reader Aaron for the scoop on the new Falls City Taproom coming to 545 Barret Avenue sometime next month.
He recently spoke with the man in charge of the operation and reported that the tap room will have “6 taps including Falls City Pale Ale, experiment batches, and guest microbrews.” They plan to have growlers and bottles for sale (to my understanding Falls City is currently only available on tap, so this will be new and exciting for beer lovers).
“Sometime in February” is the only opening information that I have but as soon as I get something more specific on the opening date I’ll report back here.
Louisville is really just getting to be better and better for beer drinkers isn’t it?
January 26th, 2011 at 8:30 AM
While it’s a nice pale ale, the Falls City name should have gone to a lager like its predecessor.
January 26th, 2011 at 9:59 AM
Crinky, it wasn’t always a watered down lager, here’s the history…
“When prohibition was lifted in 1933, Falls City was in a great position to capitalize. The name was changed back to Falls City Brewing Company and beer production resumed and distribution expanded throughout the entire Ohio River Valley (Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana), and eventually to Tennessee, the Virginias, and Illinois. The product line grew to include Hi-Bru, Extra Pale, Lager, Falls City Ale and a Bock (Dark). More than a million dollars was spent in the 30’s on buildings, kettles, vehicles and equipment. By the end of the 1930’s, the brewery was producing 450,000 barrels a year!”
In the 1940’s, the war effort brought about rationing that made it difficult for beer production, but sales still climbed to 750,000 barrels by 1950. From the end of Prohibition until the late 60’s, Falls City was a dominant brewery and was the most popular beer in Louisville. The beer was well-known all over the region, in fact. Oertel’s and Fehr’s, Louisville’s other top breweries eventually went out of business and Falls City was the lone survivor until the national players like Schlitz, Miller and Budweiser became too powerful to compete with.
In 1978, the brewery closed and the rights to sell the beer were sold to Heileman Brewing Company. The beer was made in Evansville, IN, until Heileman was later sold to Pittsburgh Brewing. Pittsburgh Brewing continued to make the brand until recent years as a very low-cost lager. Part of the reason Falls City survived as long as it did is also the reason its legacy isn’t as rich as it should be. By changing the taste to adapt to the trend toward lighter beers, and then making necessary cuts to stay competitive with the national brands, Falls City’s taste isn’t remembered fondly by beer connoisseurs.
Now, the next chapter begins. The Falls City Brewing Company is open again with a new taste that reflects the original vision of Ben Schrader when he founded the company. Our aim is to bring back all the pride and prestige the brand enjoyed 50-70 years ago and to be part of the good times of a new generation of beer drinkers. Please enjoy a Falls City and let us know how you like it. We’re very proud to represent Louisville and the wonderful history of the brand and we hope it will be your favorite beer!”
http://fallscitybeer.com/History.aspx
January 27th, 2011 at 8:48 AM
I am glad to have Falls City Beer back in Louisville.It is part of Louisvilles past and I know it will be part of Louisvilles future!
Pick a City!!!!!
January 27th, 2011 at 5:20 PM
“I am glad to have Falls City Beer back in Louisville”
Now if only they would brew it in Louisville or Kentucky at all for that matter.
January 28th, 2011 at 10:45 PM
They plan on eventually brewing the beer here in Louisville. They also plan on reproducing the ‘classic’ American lager style that they were known for in the 70s.
March 6th, 2011 at 10:58 PM
Very excited for the taproom to open! Not only is it refreshing (no pun intended) that new life has come to the Falls City legacy, it’s great to see that they’re in a position to make a physical presence in the community. Wherever and however it’s being brewed, it’s never a bad thing to have a new choice in beer.
Personally, I think it’s great that the new brew diverges from tradition. Is anyone in this city begging for another watered down lager after places like LBS and Holy Grale have brought us such amazingly varied and obscure selections? I’m glad Falls City offers a solid Pale Ale, and even happier that they have plans for this establishment.