After months of anticipation, co-owners Steve and Libby Crider are putting the final touches on 2nd Shift Brewing‘s new home at 1601 Sublette Ave., on The Hill. Doors are set to open Dec. 3, pending final licensing approval.
As Sauce reported in May, the Criders have spent the past three years looking for a new home for their 6-year-old brewery, which was originally located in New Haven. They settled on a large warehouse in an industrial part of The Hill. The 12,000-square-foot main building holds both the tasting room and the brewery, and the additional space will drastically increase 2nd Shift’s production.
The Criders embraced the stripped-down industrial feel of the space, which includes exposed ductwork suspended from soaring warehouse ceilings. Racks of barrels used to age 2nd Shift beers divide the tasting room from the brewery. The bar features 16 taps, the majority of which will pour 2nd Shift brews. (A handful will be reserved for regional guest taps.) Crider also hopes to offer a select wine program of by-the-glass and bottle offerings.
The Criders have partnered with brothers Jason and Adam Tilford of Tilford Restaurant Group, which owns Mission Taco Joint, Tortillaria and Milagro Modern Mexican. Don’t expect a fourth Mission Taco Joint, though. Libby Crider said they are working to construct a menu that will include nods to The Hill’s Italian influences, as well as sausages and paninis. Until the kitchen build-out is complete, the Tilfords will operate a mobile taco bar at 2nd Shift.
Once doors open, the tasting room will operate Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. Here’s a sneak peek at 2nd Shift’s new home:
Editor’s Note: This post oringinally stated that 2nd Shift would be open on Sundays. This is anticipated for summer, but not upon opening. It has been updated to correct the error.
This article appears in November 2016.