ALEXANDRIA, Ky. -- Cincinnati's craft beer boom has already reached across the Ohio River into all Northern Kentucky's river cities, but the new Alexandria Brewing Company is stretching it further south.
After a Kickstarter fundraising campaign in July 2016 and some property setbacks, the brewery has slated its opening day for April 21 with 16 brews on tap at 7926 Alexandria Pike.
While serving in the Army, Head Brewer Andy Reynolds was able to “discover” beer while stationed in Germany. It opened his eyes to different styles and tastes. He also brewed cider while overseas.
Cheers! @ABCBrewing is hoping to have 16 beers on tap for their opening. They’ll have several core brews—including a Belgian Tripel and Quad. Opening date could be as soon as April 21st! @WCPO pic.twitter.com/565YQ8jl2Z
— Jake Ryle (@JakeWCPO) March 29, 2018
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When he returned home, it was on to home brewing, and his dream of owning a brewery was in reach until roadblocks cropped up: Chronic pancreatitis, post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury from an improvised explosive device while in Iraq.
"I went from trying to get this thing off the ground to spending every cent I had on hospital bills," Reynolds said. “I pretty much became a shut-in, I guess. Didn’t leave the house very often. My wife got sick of it.”
“He was in a deep dark place. A bad funk,” said his wife, Anna Reynolds.
She enrolled him in a Wounded Warrior project. From there, he set goal after goal.
“The goal I set was to go to Brewing School. It’s something I always wanted to do,” he said.
Brewing beer helped calm his PTSD, Reynolds said, as he explored his passion.
"No matter what, you put one foot in front of the other. No matter how down you get. No matter how hard things get. You just keep putting that foot forward. Marching on. You’ll accomplish a lot,” Reynolds said.
He also wants to give back to other veterans, which is why all proceeds from his "Brothers In Arms" Russian imperial stout will go to various veterans charities.
The brewery will also have craft soda and cold-brew coffee on draft. Reynolds hopes to encourage a family-friendly vibe with a free pinball machine and a vintage arcade machine.
