New brewery and pub opens in former Troy church

Maria Stein-based Moeller Brew Barn launches its second location

Moeller Brew Barn will open its highly anticipated second location on Aug. 8, in Troy.

The new brewery and tasting room is located at 214 W. Main St. in downtown Troy.

  

Moeller Brew Barn has operated a brewery and tasting room in Maria Stein, south of Celina in Mercer County, since 2015. Its second location is a 8,000-square-foot former-church-turned-brewery.

Moeller Brew Barn founder Nick Moeller said earlier this summer that the Troy location seats about 180 in its main dining/tasting room, 45 more in a banquet room in the basement, and another 15 in a “choir loft” that can be used for smaller private parties. The brewery employs about 25, Moeller said.

Moeller Brew Barn Troy will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9-11, according to its Facebook page.

Going forward, the brewpub’s hours will be: Tuesday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; closed Mondays.

***PREVIOUS STORY (July 24, 2019)***

Moeller Brew Barn is still putting the finishing touches on its second location before the Troy brewery opens fully to the public in the coming days — but it offered a tantalizing sneak peek of sorts last week that shows the Miami Valley’s newest brewery will be a little different from the rest.

Moeller Brew Barn has operated a brewery and tasting room in Maria Stein, south of Celina in Mercer County, since 2015. Its second location is a 8,000-square-foot former-church-turned-brewery at 214 W. Main St. in downtown Troy.

The Troy brewery and tasting room is projected to open in late July or early August.

>> New craft brewery in the works in Troy will be brewer's 2nd location  (August 2018)

Moeller Brew Barn founder Nick Moeller said the Troy location will seat about 180 in its main dining/tasting room, 45 more in a banquet room in the basement, and another 15 in a “choir loft” that can be used for smaller private parties. The brewery will employ about 25, Moeller said.

We got a sneak peek and our first taste of the Troy brewery Thursday night, June 13, during a special fund-raiser for the Pink Ribbon Girls.

>> PODCAST: Meet Heather Salazar, the founder of Pink Ribbon Girls

During the sneak preview event, the brewery was serving six of its signature brews plus five special brews just for the Pink Ribbon Girls event, which was raising funds for the Four by the Shore program that awards family vacations to families facing a Stage IV cancer diagnosis.

The Blackberry Prairie Wheat (5.8% ABV | 19 IBU)  was recommended by our bartender as a favorite for those who prefer lighter, fruitier flavors. It was smooth and refreshing. We also tried the Dirt Track Kolsch, which will appeal to those who prefer a lighter brew (4.8% ABV | 18 IBU). We also tried one of the special brews for the event, the Strawberry Square Wheat (5.8% ABV | 19 IBU). If this isn’t on the regular menu, it should be — or should at least be on the menu during Troy Strawberry Festival season. It was just a little tart with a smooth finish.

Beyond the tasty brews, what makes this brewery something special is its unique ambiance.

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Step inside and your eyes immediately will be drawn to the bar area with ample seating built around gorgeous brickwork. Look around and you will be mesmerized by the remnants from the old church including the stained glass windows, high cathedral ceilings and old pews repurposed as seating along the walls paired with rustic wood tables emblazoned with the Moeller logo. A few TVs will be spread around the main tasting room as well.

A 10-barrel brewhouse will allow Moeller Brew Barn to brew all of the beer for the Troy taphouse and to experiment with different styles utilizing different yeast strains, the founder said. A brick oven will provide shareable appetizers and pizzas, including a Brie, Pomegranate and Prosciutto pizza and a South Carolina Pizza topped with smoked brisket, pork belly and a mustard barbecue sauce.

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