Iechyd Da Brewery (Elkhart, IN) Press Release

Just received a Press Release from Iechyd Da Brewery that I wanted to pass along. I've been invited to stop by, try some of their beer and tour their new building, and hope to do that sometime this week, schedule permitting. It's always exciting to hear about new breweries opening up in our area, so without further ado...

For Immediate Release

Brewery Coming to Downtown Elkhart

September 19, 2011  Elkhart, IN – A microbrewery will fill an empty storefront on Main Street in Elkhart. Owners Chip and Summer Lewis have secured the building located at 317 N. Main as the future home of Iechyd Da (pronounced Yacky Dah) Brewing Company.  Renovations will begin soon and continue through the winter with a projected opening in April 2012.

The Lewises are capitalizing on the growing popularity of craft beer by bringing locally produced, artisan ales and lagers to the City with a Heart. Once open to the public, Iechyd Da will offer 7-10 rotating house-brewed beers along with simple, fresh food choices.

The pub will have seating for fifty and a new parking lot will be constructed next door to the building. When the decision was made to open a brewery, Owner/Brewer Chip Lewis had no doubt about where it should be located.

“I was born and raised in Elkhart. I love living here and I hope to be part of the great things happening on Main Street. My goal is to help bring people downtown with a product that is unique to our pub and our town,” said Lewis.

Lewis is of Welsh descent and can trace his lineage to the first arrival in 1635. The brewery name—Iechyd Da—pays homage to his heritage and is a Welsh toast equivalent to saying “Cheers!” 

Beer brewed by Iechyd Da will not be available for sale to the public until April; however the Lewises will be offering samples at tasting events throughout Michiana in the coming months. Iechyd Da Brewing Company will be featured with other local breweries at the South Bend Brewfest on October 22^nd at the Century Center in South Bend. Tickets are available at morriscenter.org.

Brewery progress may be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iechyddabrew.

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