From Business First Columbus - Dan Eaton

BrewDog PLC is ready for its U.S. bar debut.

The Scottish craft brewer will open DogTap Columbus on Monday, but hosted shareholders and media members for a preview of its bar and restaurant Wednesday night.

It is the first U.S. pub for the company, which also is set to start brewing at its 100,000-square-foot brewery and U.S. headquarters in Canal Winchester. It is the 48th bar for BrewDog worldwide, which has taverns in 13 other countries.

The Central Ohio operation, however, has some special features. It joins the DogTap in Ellon, Scotland, as one of two bars attached to BrewDog breweries. At 10,000 square feet, it’s five times the size of the typical BrewDog bar.

It has 24 taps and will serve a mix of BrewDog brews and guest beers. The offering Wednesday night included BrewDog’s signature Punk IPA, Dead Pony Club pale ale, Elvis Juice IPA and Cocoa Psycho Russian imperial stout, all of which are being imported from the mother brewery for the time being.

Guest taps included Central Ohio offerings from Land-Grant Brewing Co., Rockmill Brewery and Seventh Son Brewing Co.

The Canal Winchester brewery will start with BrewDog’s four core beers and expand from there over time.

Brewer Gia Nigro said a five-barrel pilot system will be installed at some point and will make special and one-off beers that will be available only at DogTap. The taps will continue to be supplemented with some offerings from Scotland, too.

Food included standard bar fare like pizza, tacos and wings.

Dan Eaton covers retailing and restaurants for Columbus Business First.