Whistle & Keg Self-Serve Taproom Coming to Columbus
May 16, 2019
Whistle & Keg, a self-service craft beer taproom, is anticipated to open this summer in the Moline Plow building in the Arena District at 343 N. Front Street.
The unique pour-your-own concept originated in Youngstown in 2017, where brothers and co-owners, Joe and Mike Thomas, opened their first location. They recently opened a second taproom in Cleveland to rave reviews, which inspired their expansion goals for Columbus. The brothers were drawn to the crowds and energy of the Arena District with a prime location overlooking Nationwide Arena, a block from Huntington Park, Express Live and the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
“The spotlight on the Arena District keeps getting brighter, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” said Thomas. “Whistle & Keg is a true tasting room, where people have the freedom to pour wine and mead and beer and cider from 50 different self-serve taps. Sports fans, concert goers, happy hour drinkers alike are going to love this concept. You pay for what you pour – try an ounce or pour a pint.”
The 2,500 square-foot taproom will showcase the original architectural features of the Moline Plow building built in 1913, which is now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The interior features 12-foot-high ceilings with large bell-shaped columns throughout and an expansive outdoor patio overlooking Battelle Plaza and the arena. The basement-level of the building is occupied by Buca di Beppo (because the name in Italian roughly translates to “Joe’s basement”), which has been open since before the opening of Nationwide Arena.
“We’re excited to welcome Whistle & Keg to Columbus and the Arena District,” said Brian J. Ellis, President and COO of Nationwide Realty Investors, owner and developer of the Arena District. “This is the ideal space for the pour-your-own concept and will be a great addition to the District’s diverse mix of restaurants and entertainment amenities.”
“The pour-your-own technology used by Whistle & Keg is fun and simple for patrons to use,” said Thomas. “It’s very popular in some of the country’s hottest beer markets like Phoenix, Denver, Miami, and Tennessee. It will be impossible to resist in a market like Columbus.”
About Whistle & Keg: Whistle & Keg, based out of Youngstown, Ohio, is a taproom with a pour-your-own concept featuring 50 self-serve taps. The taproom has an open food policy allowing patrons to bring their favorite food or get food delivered while they enjoy a selection of local and regional craft beers, wines, ciders, mead, kombucha and more. Patrons can expect a fun and inviting atmosphere with live music, comedy, events and more. To learn more, go to www.whistlekeg.com.
