New Washington Twp. brewery aims for spring opening

A new Washington Twp. brewery is entering the final stretch of construction work ahead of a projected opening later this spring.

“We’re still looking at late spring or early summer,” said Chris Tarkany, co-founder of Heavier Than Air Brewing Co. with his brother Nick. “May, optimistically. June, realistically.”

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The Tarkany brothers have attended informal gatherings of founders of other Dayton-area breweries. They said the local craft brewing community has been supportive, offering advice and guidance as they navigate the obstacles that craft breweries must overcome before opening.

“Everything’s coming together,” Nick Tarkany said. “Hopefully we will be at AleFest and joining in on the Dayton Beer Week festivities as the latest addition to the Dayton brewery community.”

Heavier Than Air Brewing Co. is located at 497 Miamisburg-Centerville Road in the Normandy Square Shopping Center, east of the Dayton Mall. The two founders are getting an assist from two of Nick's sons, Ben and Nick Jr. The idea for the brewery came from Ben.

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The new brewery will have about 10 taps, will seat about 40 and will employ about five. As befitting its name, Heavier Than Air will have a aviation theme — in part because the Tarkany family has strong aviation ties going back to the early 1940s in the Dayton area, Nick Tarkany said.

In building out the space, the Tarkanys are utilizing geothermal and other innovative technologies to make the brewery and the brewing process itself extremely energy-efficient in its heating, cooling and water usage, the brewery founders said.

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Heavier Than Air’s plans call for serving other Dayton-area breweries’ beers in addition to its own, and for offering its beers to area bars and restaurants. The tasting room will offer a limited food menu, and will allow customers to carry in food.

To keep up with the new brewery's progress toward opening, check out the Heavier Than Air Brewing Facebook page.

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