hardy40

US-based Hardywood Park Craft Brewery has plans to open a brewery and taproom in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The new facility will feature 3.5 barrel brewery, an 1,100ft² taproom and an outdoor beer garden.

It will be located at 1000 W. Main Street, between The University of Virginia and the Downtown Mall.

Hardywood president and co-founder Eric McKay said: "The Uncommon building is perfectly suited as a creative hub for brewing uncommon beers, as a community gathering place and as a space for collaboration within the industry."

Hardywood brewmaster and co-founder Patrick Murtaugh added: "The brewhouse is five times the size of our current pilot system and will give us the opportunity to pursue more collaborative brewing efforts and to experiment with innovative recipes in a dedicated facility, while gathering meaningful feedback on these new concepts."

The new taproom will feature 12 Hardywood draft beers, with a focus on experimental batches brewed on-site.

Hardywood intends to source 100% of the electricity for its Charlottesville brewery from renewables, including wind, biomass and solar.

"The Uncommon building is perfectly suited as a creative hub for brewing uncommon beers, as a community gathering place and as a space for collaboration within the industry."

The firm will invest $300,000 in the project, and create four full-time jobs and 12 part-time jobs.

Hardywood plans to open its brewery and taproom by September.

In addition, construction on a production facility in Goochland County, Virginia, is scheduled to start next month.

Last year, the firm announced its plans to expand its presence in the Richmond area by building a $28m brewery, packaging and distribution facility in Goochland County, reported Richmond.com.

Hardywood opened its first brewery and tasting room in 2011.

Image: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery has plans to open a brewery and taproom in Charlottesville. Photo: courtesy of Hardywood Park Craft Brewery.