FAREWELL TO OUR FIRST HOME
It’s hard to believe that we’re finally saying goodbye to our first brewery on Central Ave. We’ve worked so hard to get this new space up and running and are already enjoying brewing here (especially fond of the floor drains- they did not disappoint!), but we’ll miss the place that we called home for so many years. The other night, our team gathered for one final party in the cleared out space, and we reminisced on all of the memories we shared together there- it’s the place where we first got to meet so many of you. Thank you for coming along with us on this journey and we look forward to all the new memories we’ll create together here on Troutman St. Our very first batch brewed in our new facility is now being served on draft in the taproom as Jikagumi (straight from the tank to our kegerator to your glass), plus we have some “Troutman Edition” bottles for sale. Please come and enjoy as we mark the end of our expansion project and the celebration of our new home!
A NOTE FROM SHINOBU:
As you may know, Kato Sake Works was started at a small, NYC studio apartment sized industrial space at 5 Central Avenue four years ago.
Many people told me that starting a brewery too small was a bad idea. You need to have a space to scale - and they were right. Equipment, inventory, and staff filled the brewery quickly. We ran the production everyday to maximize the use of the space, but the capacity maxed out. We put a picnic table outside for lunch because there was no space inside. We had to go to a coffee shop for desk work when we were busy. I agree it would've been nice if we started with more space.
The building is located at a cross section of industrial, commercial and residential neighborhoods. The taproom of a craft distillery around the corner, Moto Sprits, was always filled with cool people in the community. Green Central Knoll Park in front of us is a regular attraction of softball teams, dog owners, kids birthday parties, and ice cream trucks. The side street was a space for late night band practice and impromptu art exhibitions.
During the quiet COVID days, we put camp chairs on the street and had some sake. After a long production day, we put a hammock up to take a nap. When the main COVID restrictions ended, we put a kiddy pool and a BBQ grill out for a weekend. We usually had a few neighbors or strangers joining us randomly. We hung out with our friends and families, and also made new friends. Probably it was the lack of the space that encouraged us to go outside and connect with the community.
Our Troutman brewery is a little bigger and we can eat lunch inside, but we want to continue connecting with the community. When you are around, please stop by our taproom. Now we have a space for a softball team. Kids and dogs are welcome and soon we will have music and art. We may not have a kiddy pool, but you might make a new friend.
Thank you, 5 Central. You helped us settle in as a young business and grow to where we are today. It's been a great four years!
-Shinobu
Here’s a peak into our final night at Central:
Peace out, Central Ave!
PS- Evan’s top 3 music selections for our brewing days on Central Ave. were:
“I Gotta Feeling” by, Black Eyed Peas off their seminal The E.N.D. written and produced by artist will.i.am at his full creative prowess (I quoted him word for word on that).
Any and all songs by The Fray even though I (Joanie) simply can not STAND them… no really… hadn’t even heard of them before Evan.. How to save a what? a life? no idea how that song goes.
“Angel of Music” by, The Phantom Of The Opera Motion Picture Soundtrack ESPECIALLY because 2005’s ‘BFCA Critics' Choice Award for Best Young Actress’ emmy rossum is involved. (Again with the direct quoting).
PPS- I didn’t make any of that up.