(King Louie’s Turkey Leg is a favorite for those wanting to have a medieval experience but only available in limited quantities. Call ahead if that’s what you’re craving.)
By Nick Carter | Photos by Josh Keown
In the short time that the Floyd County Brewing Company has been in existence, it has made a serious impression on the New Albany scene, writing their own bit of history into the land that once was a thriving steamboat community. It was with a nod to the past, and eyes set firmly on the future, that owners Brian and Julie Hampton decided to pour everything they had into this charming brewpub.
Back in 2009, while on vacation in Ireland, and after a successful marriage proposal, the soon-to-be-wedded Hamptons began to look toward the future and their lives together. As they noshed on fish and chips and knocked back pints of Guinness in one of the many historic public houses of the Emerald Isle, they quickly realized they had come upon something truly special that every person should get the chance to experience.
It was then that the couple decided they wanted to build an establishment that was incredibly unique and bring a little bit of Ireland (and maybe a touch of Monty Python) to their Southern Indiana hometown.
Over the next five years, they worked tirelessly to get their finances in order to see their dream become a reality one day, and finally in November 2014, that much anticipated day came to fruition.
The next 11 months became a complete whirlwind as the Hamptons took the historic home they purchased on the corner of First and Main and turned it into the public house of their dreams. Along with restoring the home itself, additional space was needed to accommodate the brewing operations, commercial kitchen and the taproom. “My wife and I are proud to say that we fully own the business with no corporate investors or ties,” Brian said, “and we actually own the real estate, allowing us to completely invest in the community.”
That same community investment is also what led to the Irish brewpub concept, but with a unique and quirky twist: Brian wanted to give the neighborhood something they had not yet seen and, relying on his long-seeded interest in British humor, he took a nod from the comedy classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail. With much of the decor and artwork being created
by Brian himself, he worked with Head Chef David Stewart and Head Brewer Jeff Coe to develop a food and beverage menu that seamlessly blended Brian and Julie’s time in Ireland with a great sense of humor. And with menu items like, for instance, the Motley Crueben, a twist on a classic Rueben sandwich, and the Hoppy Jester IPA, the Hamptons’ vision comes through as clear as a gypsy’s crystal ball.
Commitment to community and the utmost quality is also what led Brian Hampton to source as much of his ingredients locally as possible. The Cheese Monger, another featured menu item, is a great example of this, featuring local gourmet cheeses from Kentucky, as well as a variety of fresh fruits from the area. Not stopping there, Hampton wanted to take quality to the next level with his veritable army of brews. To do this, he felt a microbrewery onsite would be ideal and in small batches. From there, the tasty libations are put directly into one of 6 7-barrel serving vessels, and then served through a tap on the wall of the taproom.
As with the public houses that Floyd County Brewing Company is modeled after, you can always find something happening here. If you are looking to exercise both your brain and your belt, stop by on Wednesday and Thursday nights at 7 p.m. for Trivia Night. Want to stretch
your vocal cords and then soothe them with a cold brew? Tuesday night is your turn with Open Mic Night from 7 to 9 p.m. And every weekend, the brewpub hosts live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays for you to enjoy while you dine and drink.
If you’d like to enjoy what is left of the warm weather, the newly-opened outdoor Biergarten is the place for you. Sit back and revel in the summer breezes while you dine on house favorites, like the King Louie’s Smoked Turkey Leg or the Floyd Burger, dressed however you like. Both of these choices pairs brilliantly with either the Braun Jovi Brown Ale, the Oat Brother Where Art Thou (an oatmeal stout) or Dunkel the
Messenger (a Dunkelweizen). And don’t forget to finish it off with Floyd’s Famous Bourbon Bread Pudding. Delicious! (Note
from the owner: King Louie’s Turkey Leg is a favorite for those wanting to have a medieval experience, but is only available in limited quantities. Call ahead if that’s what you’re craving.)
Whether it’s food, froth or folly that you are looking for, Floyd County Brewing Company is the place to please the palette.
Floyd County Brewing Company
129 W. Main St.
New Albany
470.588.2337
Hours
11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday
11:30 a.m. to midnight Friday
12 p.m. to midnight Saturday
12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
Weekly Events
Open Mic Night: 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday
Wisdom Wednesdays: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Feud for Thought: 7 p.m. Thursday
Live Music: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Join Us
The next Extol Magazine Launch Party is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday,
Oct. 13, at Floyd County Brewing Company, 129 W. Main St. in New Albany. It’s free to attend and guests will enjoy complimentary appetizers, tunes by DJ Jaybird and hundreds of dollars in giveaways. Added bonus: 10 percent of proceeds from sales made between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. will be donated
to Hosparus.
