Gravely Brewing Co. opened six years ago on the partial site of the historic Phoenix Brewing Co. — which in its heyday (1884-1916) was a nationally-known brewery and beer garden with an indoor velodrome .
While the former brewery is long gone, remnants of its history still lurk at this 21st century music-themed craft brewery on Baxter Avenue. Step onto the patio and you’ll peer into the mouths of two stone tunnels set into the hillside.
The caverns are a reminder that Louisville was a major beer hub prior to bourbon.
Photo by LOUtoday
Now hollow and grass-covered, the caverns were once used to ferment lager beers by Phoenix Brewing Co. prior to refrigeration — since lager-style beers require low temps to brew + condition.
Gravely doesn’t use the tunnels to make its beers, but they still produce a variety of lagers. Try the La Bamba Mexican lager next time you visit. It’s “Corona’s cooler craft cousin.”