To say Kevin Jones and Paul Holle have been a little busy lately may be understating it a bit. As owners of Sawtooth Brewery, 2016 has started at the same speed that 2015 left. Having opened their Public House in Ketchum, in February, the men are looking forward to their next big project, the finishing of their brewing facility, tap room and corporate office in Hailey.
“We figured it would be easier to just not have a life for awhile,” Kevin joked during a recent interview. “The pace of everyday life has definitely increased over the last few months.”
Kevin and Paul started Sawtooth Brewery in 2011 after they were introduced through a mutual friend. “Our friend knew we were both interested in good beer and maybe one day opening a brewery,” Kevin remembers. “It started relatively simple enough, it’s been quite a ride for the last five years.”
For Kevin and Paul, they’re pretty excited about having facilities in both Ketchum and Hailey. “We’re really grateful to be able to have our offices in Hailey,” Kevin notes. “People are telling us they’re glad we’re building this, so it’s been a great experience.”
The new brewing facility and tap room will hopefully open around Memorial Day Weekend, as the team is actually a little ahead of schedule. Initially, the beer will continue to be put in kegs and bottled in the company’s 22 ounce bottles. A canning line will give Sawtooth Brewery the capacity to can their beers as well. “The new canning line is a great addition to the way we offer our beer to the consumer,” Kevin said. “We’ve had good success with our bottled beers but a canning line really does make it convenient to take our beers more places. It’s going to be great.”
Unlike the Public House in Ketchum, the new tap room in Hailey will not offer a full menu. “The tap room is about having a place to brew our beers and share them with the public,” Kevin notes. “We will have outdoor seating and some live entertainment and a place where people can be with their dogs.” In addition to their regular beers on tap, the tap room will also have draft wines from several different vintners.
Keep your head up for an official opening date because it’s right around the corner and just in time for the warmer weather. “We’re really looking forward to this opening,” Kevin said. “We’ve had a commitment to the community since day one. Being able to have a business and work in a place like the valley is something pretty special and we’d like to thank the community for their support through all of this.”
Jeff Bacon, Membership Director
