Bona Fide Brewing Company
We have to give all the thank-yous to David Kahley. All of those hard roadblocks or speed bumps in the way, and all of the things that made this project difficult over the years, David found ways to make it work.
People
An excited Travis Tuttle dialed his friend, eager to share some intel, but “didn’t even get a word out of my mouth,” he recounts, before Christian Simmons blurted, “Yes, I’ll open a brewery with you.” The two hospitality industry veterans had long considered joining forces. “Travis makes amazing beer,” Christian says. “I know how to drink a good beer — and sell it.” But why team up right now? The Progress Fund — a lender to Travis’ prior venture — was developing the Hazelwood Brewery, and seeking partners for what Travis calls a brewing campus, and Christian dubs a “Taj Mahal of alcohol.”
Progress
The Progress Fund redeveloped a former brewery, assembled three entrepreneurial teams and financed them — in Bona Fide Brewing’s case, issuing loans and a grant totaling $509,523.
Impact
The Hazelwood Brewery enables Travis and Christian to take their easy-drinking Bona Fide lagers and IPAs statewide, with ample space to craft specialty imperial stouts and barleywines. Patrons will sample those offerings and more in indoor, beer garden and rooftop spaces perfect for a spontaneous night out or a well-planned event. “We’re definitely hoping that will draw people to a comfortable family-friendly atmosphere,” says Christian — not to mention “some of the top three brewers in the country.”
Connect With Us!