Justin Moffett of Carmel-based Old Town Development said he anticipates the new Sun King Brewery tap room and distillery will attract people to Carmel’s Midtown area from around the state.
“It’s really going to be a draw, not just for the beverages, but the culinary options,” Moffett said.
The approximately 15,000-square-foot craft distillery and tap room is projected to open in spring 2018 along the Monon Trail between Main Street and the Carmel City Center.
Sun King co-founder and head brewer Dave Colt said the facility will be capable of producing a maximum of 10,000-proof gallons of spirits and will feature a 250-gallon still to craft high-quality, handcrafted, small-batch spirits.
“Drawing from our knowledge and experience in creating award-winning craft beer, we’re having fun experimenting with different quality ingredients and investing in state-of-the art technology and equipment to create our unique handcrafted spirits and cocktails,” Colt said.
Colt spoke of his vision at a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 22, nearly a year after the project announcement in September 2016.
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard said the soon-to-be widened Monon Greenway will help drive cyclists and pedestrians to Sun King’s new venture, which will be its first foray into distilling liquors.
“We are excited about the progress Sun King is making on its beautiful new distillery and tap room and for having the confidence to invest in our emerging midtown redevelopment area,” Brainard said.
Moffett said the Midtown area has grown more than he ever imagined. He thought if they were lucky, they could be part of $150 million in development. And now, with the first buildings under construction, there is already $130 million in the works for just the first phase of the project.
“It just goes to prove that when the city invests in itself, the private developers will step up,” Moffett said.
