Ghost River Tap Room

October 2016
2,000 SF

Challenge: create a tap room with a connection to the brewery in an existing office and storage space.

The bones of the building were original and loaded with character but everything had been covered up with uninspired finishes. The new design uncovered the original existing brick walls, wood joist and steel beam ceiling and concrete floors. The windows, which were heavily tinted, were replaced with clear glass to allow a street view in the tap room.

The Ghost River Tap Room is tap room and brewery that serves all Ghost River beers including seasonal brews. The building houses all of the brewing and bottling operations. The opening to the brewery was maintained with a glass storefront so patrons can see the brewery operations. The new bar is centered on the window wall with shelves featuring merchandise and glassware. A large steel pipe carries the beer from the taps in the refrigerated cooler, across the ceiling and down an industrial steel tower which is mounted to a 12-tap dispenser on the front bar. Finishes like white oak, raw steel and minty green hand glazed clay tile are found throughout the space. Warm industrial style and leather clad light fixtures are throughout the space. In a nod to the name Ghost River, a section of the Wolf River after which the beer is named, a commissioned art installation by Sarah Crawford is featured. Patrons can grab a seat at a banquette, drink rail, communal table or on the new expansive deck overlooking South Main.