Brewing up a revolution

With a July 4 opening planned, 13 Stripes Brewery gets inspiration from American heroes

13 Stripes Brewery is set to open July 4 at the historic Taylors Mill in Greenville County. UBJ sat down with co-founder Kenworth Reeves to chat about the craft brewery industry, the space and opening plans.

What spaces did you look at before deciding on Taylors Mill?

We looked at Greer, The Village of West Greenville and West End Coffee’s former building in downtown Greenville. We had looked at Taylors Mill previously but it didn’t click until we got an email from the new owner. The space is 8,000 square feet, which is double what we initially thought we needed, but the proximity of loading docks and parking spaces is great. We’ll be able to do both retail and distribution from this location, and Taylors Mill is starting to resonate in the community.

Did you ever have any doubts?

Sure. There were times I doubted that we could get this company off the ground. But we’ve learned not to make decisions in those valleys and have seen the dividends that resilience pays.

How will 13 Stripes be financed?

We’ve financed our company by self-funding, raising money from family and friends, and by securing an SBA (Small Business Administration) loan.

So how much does it cost to open a craft brewery?

This is a tough question as it depends on what size and quality your equipment is as well as the real estate and build-out costs. For a similar system like ours and a typical build-out, you’d be looking at somewhere around $750,000. We’ll be able to save quite a bit as we’re doing much of the build-out ourselves, but will still be significantly over $500,000.

13 Stripes is already making a name for itself, even though it’s not open yet. How is that?

We decided to start showing up and doing events about 14 months ago. We love getting out and sharing our passion with our community.

Is there a particular brewery you are trying to emulate?

One brand that we often refer to is Olde Mecklenburg in Charlotte. We really like how they’ve grown from a 10-barrel system – similar to the one we’re starting with – and scaled into the latest multimillion brewery. They’ve been able to capture the hearts – and taste buds – of the community there. We hope to do the same.

How do you plan to position 13 Stripes in the Upstate craft brewery market?

The beer market in the Upstate is still emerging. We’re thrilled to be a part of the growth here. We tell folks we’re more of a relationship company, and that builds community – our medium for which we do that is beer.

Where did 13 Stripes come from?

We’re all big history buffs and it’s a Revolutionary War reference to the original American flag. We’re embracing our legacy, and the brand is built around American heritage. Michael Robinson, co-founder and brewer, is a veteran. It’s America. Each beer we produce will be named after a Revolutionary War hero with their history on our cans.

What’s been the most difficult challenge so far?

Finding a space and getting through the process – architecture, engineering and permitting – can be quite challenging.

What will the space look like?

It’ll be an open space with the tanks as a backdrop, an iconic bar in the middle, lots of reclaimed metals and woods, and a large outdoor seating deck for hanging with friends and family. We’re all family men who want to create a warm and welcoming space for other families – and dogs – to come relax over good beer, food and music.