Meet the Founders: Q&A With Awry Brewing

There’s a new brewery opening in Louisville soon. We sat down with Awry Brewing co-founders Tyler Martin, Alex Vogt, and Tom Bartle to learn more about their inspirations, what sets their brewery apart, and what customers can expect when they visit their taproom. Read on to discover the passion and vision behind this up-and-coming Highlands neighborhood brewery.

Q: What inspired you to open Awry Brewing, and how did the three of you come together to make this dream a reality?

Tom Bartle: I've always wanted to open a business and I've always had a passion for good beers. Then I got involved with the Kentucky Guild of Brewers and met Alex and Tyler. We all started hanging out, and things began to come together as a team. From there, we pursued our shared dream of opening a brewery.

Q: Why “Awry?”

Alex Vogt: We chose "Awry" because it seemed like every time we took one step forward, it was two steps back. Something always seemed to go awry. Awry is a testament to us embracing every curveball and misstep we take, and taking it in stride, always remembering that something is bound to go awry.

Q: What will set Awry Brewing apart from other breweries in the Louisville area, and what can customers expect from your beers in terms of styles?

Tyler Martin: We love telling stories, and we want to tell those stories through our space and our beer. Style-wise, I don’t think anything is off the table. We have all traveled a bit, and all get excited about different beers. Customers can expect a diverse beer menu featuring various styles.

Q: Which of your beer styles are you most excited about featuring?

Alex: I have always loved the idea of “Brewer’s Beer”. The beer that the brewery workers drink at the end of a shift. I’m excited to see what that beer is going to be for us, and how it's going to change.

Q: Are there any seasonal or limited-release beers that customers should keep an eye out for throughout the year?

Tom: I'm sure we will have some things up our sleeves for the public to get excited about. Collaborations should be highlights of some of our taps.

Q: You’re keeping the old Chimera brewing system. What size system is that? What are your thoughts on brewing on that system versus the large systems you have used in production brewing?

TMart: It's a 5bbl system. We are excited about the size because smaller systems allow us to be more nimble and can source hyper-local and/or unique ingredients and practices.

Q: Can you give us a sense of the atmosphere and overall experience we can expect when visiting Awry Brewing?

Alex: We want an eclectic atmosphere. We plan to lean hard into art in all forms, creating a relaxed and fun vibe that encourages people to be who they are. We like telling stories, but we also really like hearing stories too.

Q: You have a functioning kitchen! What does that culinary experience look like?

Tom: We plan to keep it as simple as we can. Chicken fingers, fries, and a few sides. The focus is on the beers.

Q: Are there any plans for hosting events, live music, or community gatherings at Awry Brewing? If so, what types of events can patrons expect?

TMart: For sure! We definitely have some stuff planned, like trivia nights and beer/brewers Olympics. Live music is a possibility on occasion, but we don't plan for that on the regular.

Q: What are your long-term goals for Awry Brewing, and how do you hope to contribute to the growing craft beer scene in Louisville and beyond?

Alex: Long-term, we would love to open an additional space in Southern Indiana, where we're all from. My passion project is to retire to my in-laws' farm and make Kentuckiana farmhouse ales. We want to contribute to the growing craft beer scene in Louisville by offering unique, high-quality beers and fostering an atmosphere that encourages community and creativity.

Q: Which non-Kentucky breweries inspire you in terms of both beer and business?

Tom: My first introduction to "craft beers" was in the early '90s with Sierra Nevada and Anchor Steam. We could get those on the East Coast, and I loved them, so both of those inspired me to learn more about beers from around the world.

Q: When can we expect to see Awry open?

TMart: We're working hard to get everything in order, and we would like to get open in June. Keep an eye on our social media for updates on our progress and official opening date.