The Unknown Brewing Company brings their expertise to the world of spirits with a new distillery.
If The Unknown is known for anything, it’s for pushing boundaries. The unconventional brewery has become a staple in Charlotte’s drink scene, serving bold, flavorful beers such as Pre Game, Let’s Get Tropical, and their classic American IPA. Bringing that boldness and character with them, The Unknown has begun construction on a brand new distillery, the Wood & Grain Project. This micro-distillery will be one of the few distilleries in the city, and after years of planning, intends to open its doors with a bang. It will bring new drinks to The Unknown’s taproom—with a signature twist, of course.
“The concept is easy,” says owner Brad Shell. “Wood and grain. We will be using some of the best grains in batches of rums, gins, and bourbons…The twist is our plan to use rare barrels and aromatic woods to age our spirits.”
To maintain exclusivity and encourage experimentation, The Unknown plans to distill small batches at a time, only yielding one or two cases of each style. By focusing on those singular batches, one-offs, and collaborations, everything made in the distillery will be sure to pair perfectly with the brewery’s creations, as well as stand on its own. To start, The Unknown plans on releasing a great new tonic once the distillery is complete.
Following the construction of the Wood & Grain Project is the company’s plans to renovate the entire front section of their building. Additions will include a rooftop bar and a wrap-around bar, a private event space, and new roll-up windows on the floor level.
“We intend for the front of our brewery to be a beautiful space that emphasizes craft,” notes the company. “The whole look and vibe of our taproom will be transformed over the next few months.”
Working with Cluck Design and GC Foard Construction, The Unknown hopes to have all renovations completed by 2018. With the addition of new bars, new drink possibilities, and an exciting new space, The Unknown Brewing Company continues to push the boundaries of the craft world and prove themselves Charlotte’s most creative brewing (and distilling) company.
