USA, OH: Female-led Chaffee’s Brewhouse eyeing opening later this year

A new brewhouse opening in Tipp City is set to show off the best craft beer that the community has to offer, Dayton.com reported on April 9.

Tipp City residents Lisa Smith-Richards and Chrissy Lesher are the founders and owners of Chaffee’s Brewhouse, which, when it opens later this year, will serve craft beer, cocktails, wine and light fare.

The brewhouse will be located in a portion of the old stomping grounds of the Pink Ribbon Girls on South 2nd Street in downtown Tipp City. And, depending on when the coronavirus pandemic subsides and Ohio’s stay-at-home orders are lifted, the brewhouse could open as early as June.

“I think it'll be really neat,” Smith-Richards said. “We didn't want anything huge. We really want to be a place where people can go for happy hour.”

The pair also owns the Hop Yard at Lock 16, a three-acre hop farm cultivating Cascade, Centennial, and Zeus varieties, and Miami Valley Draft Services. Both businesses are sure to play a role in the new brewhouse. Eventually, the pair would like to add a small brewing operation to the brewhouse, which would allow them to utilize the hops that they grow in their hop yard to brew beer.

There will be 18 taps at the brewhouse, each offering a locally made craft beer, wine or cocktail. And, although the brewhouse will not be serving food, it will allow patrons to bring in food from nearby restaurants, such as DJ’s Pizza, Harrison’s and Coldwater Cafe.

“We want to support other businesses by letting people bring food into the bar,” Smith-Richards said. “People can get stuff and come in and eat right at our place.”

Behind the brewhouse, guests will be able to lounge on a patio, drink in hand. The patio was created especially for cyclists, due to the proximity of the popular bike path. Chaffee’s Brewhouse also wants to be a refuge for tired cyclists in need of a sip of beer or specialty cocktail during an afternoon ride, its owners said.

Chaffee’s Brewhouse is located in the historical Chaffee-Butler building, still containing its original ballroom on the second floor. Built in 1840, the building was also once a general store and deli. Currently, the brewhouse team is working on renovating the space and plans to utilize the original deli kitchen space.

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