WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS W.Va. (WVDN) – On Thursday, August 21, Old School Brewing Company officially opened to a lively crowd in White Sulphur Springs. “It was nice to see how much the community really wanted and needed this,” says co-owner, Niko Winstral. “There was a lot of excitement. It was a very uplifting, energetic and vibrant opening.”
The 15,000 sq. ft. facility, formerly Big Draft Brewing, has both an indoor and outdoor stage for live music. “We’re not only a micro-brewery, but we’re also a live entertainment venue and a great restaurant,” Winstral says. “We can fit probably 700 people outside and almost 300 inside. We are looking to host a lot of live music, as well as ticketed events. For bands who are touring through West Virginia and Virginia, we want to be a stop for them,” she adds. “We hope to be the live entertainment hub of White Sulphur Springs and southern West Virginia.”
The first musician to take the stage on opening weekend was Jonah Carden, who wowed the audience on the warm Saturday evening of August 23. “I had the honor of performing at Old School Brewing last Saturday and it was nothing short of magical,” Carden said. “The weather was perfect, the food was delicious and the vibe was perfect.”
Along with Winstral, Austin Ramsey, general manager and Dave Barron, brewmaster, are partners in the new venture. “Dave Barron has crafted some amazing beers that have been very popular. He really knows what the demand is in the area and he’s had a lot of experience,” Winstral said. “He makes very flavorful, delicious, house-crafted beers.” When it comes to insight, Austin Ramsey gets a lot of the credit for his vision in reviving the former hub that was onceBig Draft Brewing. “Austin told my husband and I about the brewery and his vision,” says Winstral. “With that, we think it’s going to be really great.”
With a menu consisting of the returning favorite Old School Pretzel, classics like shrimp and grits, fried chicken and salad, there’s no shortage of choices.For children, the special kids menu consists of macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets and grilled cheese. For those with a sweet tooth, triple chocolate cake and cheesecake are also available. “We are adding about 6 items a week for the next few weeks,” says Winstral. “We’ll do this until we reach the full menu.”
When asked about her vision for the future of Old School Brewing Company, Winstral admits that it’s much more than just a business. “We want to be a cornerstone of the community,” she said. “We want to help in the growing revitalization of White Sulphur Springs and we’re going to be giving back to the community, as well as creating employment opportunities.”
Speaking of the growth of White Sulphur Springs, newly elected mayor Thomas Taylor recently commented on the new business. “I am very excited to see Old School Brewing open,” Taylor said. “It’s located in the heart of downtown White Sulphur Springs. We welcome them to our community, and look forward to seeing them grow.”
When asked of the most rewarding aspect of co-owning a brewery, Winstral was quick to respond. “It’s seeing the people,” she said. “They were hugging each other and it was wonderful being able to witness the excitement they had over having a place to go and spend time together. There was a lot of energy and for me, that said it all.” If you’re thinking of stopping by, Winstral extends a welcome invitation. “Don’t hesitate – come on in,” she says. “You’re going to love the food, the music and the ambiance.”
Old School Brewing Company is located on 697 Main St. East in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Hours of operation are 3-9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. For more information, call 304-956-2725, visit OldSchoolBrewCo.com or search Old School Brewing on Facebook. Musicians interested in performing live should contact the brewery through Facebook.
