Red River Brewing Company, started in 2008 by co-founders Robert McGuire, Jared Beville, and Beau Raines, is joining the ranks of local businesses opening in the increasingly-popular and newly-expanded downtown district of Shreveport, Louisiana.
The trio – who has been selling kegs directly to distributors for some time now in Shreveport and Bossier City at locations like Twisted Root Burger Company, Rotolo’s Pizzeria, Daq’s Wings and Grill, as well as in the nearby towns of Ruston and Monroe – has announced plans to open the new brewery with the aim of reaching customers outside of restaurants and bars.
“This has been years in the making and the time and location are finally right,” Beville said of their accomplishment.
The building, located at 1200 Marshall Street, spans over 23,000 square feet and was constructed during prohibition. Like many places of its time, was a destination for those looking to hide from the prying eyes of the law. Tucked away upstairs was a hideout room which could be accessed through a coatroom, and moonshine was manufactured downstairs. RRBC said they plan to faithfully preserve both spaces. In addition to the old, new features will include an open-window tap room with a view of the Shreveport skyline, add a new four-vessel 20-barrel brewing system, a bottling line, and a destination tasting room that will be open to the public. The design of the space is being overseen by Jeff Spikes’ iArchitecture, which has grown from a startup in 2011 to a fully-operational business which houses its office just blocks from the new brewery location.
Along with plans for the new building, Red River also plans to hire five to ten workers in the first year of operation to oversee a dramatic rise in production. Liz Swaine, executive director of the Shreveport Downtown Development Authority, touts Red River as “the first brewery downtown since prohibition.” Building owner Ronnie Remedies spoke highly of public and private collaboration which helped make the deal possible. Also in attendance were Mayor Ollie Tyler and Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.
RRBC has said they will attempt to open before years end 2015, but it could be that the facility may not open until early 2016. In the meantime, check out where to find Red River on tap by visiting their website.
For those wondering about the parking situation, they will have a grass lot next to the building that will be converted to a paved lot. We assume bike racks are also under consideration, but didn’t have a chance to ask.
Written with assistance from and featuring the photography of Jonathan Toups.