David Monday, February 11, 2008

Restaurants

Sidetrack Brewpub: a Brewery Back in Downtown this Spring

Sidetrack Brewpub Brewery Raleigh NC

Sidetrack Brewpub is all about potential. Across Boylan from Bloomsbury Estates a quiet building has sat for the past years; in the window a sign on an easel reading “Sidetrack Brewpub.” Owner Andrew Leager is an architect and woodworker who has worked on many local projects, including the Cameron Village Public Library. Previously the loss of Greenshields and Southend left downtown without a microbrewery and with those loses the anticipation for Sidetrack is only underscored. 

Sidetrack From Boylan Bridge

Since the new year Sidetrack has sprang to life, after a long period of inactivity.  Last week a ‘pergola’ or trellis was erected to the south side of the building- providing what looks to be a great outdoor area to drink and take in the industrial angle of the city.  This past weekend the brewing equipment was installed and suddenly you can almost taste the downtown micro-brew’s pending success.

Sidetrack's Pergola

So while we don’t have a date, Leager says “Spring” when asked when it will open.  His site has gone so far as to include architectural renderings and detail the menu.  Beer, the focus of the business, is more vague “Our production will start out with ales such as pale ale, IPA, amber, and others. Lagers will come later. Beer names include Whistle Stop, Gandy Dancer, Red Caboose, and Okay Porter,” and “Raspberry flavored beer or beer made from grass clippings won’t be available.”

Sidetrack’s Website

  • 15002/11 11:48 AM

    Well, until there is an opening date, I’ll be skeptical.  I’ve very much been looking forward to this since I first heard about it at the beginning of 2005.  Very disappointed that it has taken so long.

  • foxy02/11 12:09 PM

    i was so confused a few months ago when i went to thier website and saw a complete menu.  i thought it was open but some internet-sleuthing said otherwise.  can’t wait to try out more local beer

  • Jason!02/11 12:48 PM

    Any idea where folks are supposed to park for it?  I can’t tell from the drawings, and the outdoor seating seemed to remove the already limited parking.

  • 15002/11 01:14 PM

    I thought I heard that there was going to be a large deck facing the downtown skyline (which would be a great idea, in my opinion).  Does the outdoor seating in the front mean that the deck idea is no longer in the plans?

  • RaleighRob02/11 01:29 PM

    My guess is that they are going to
    A) rely on mostly street parking along Hargett and B) rely on a good deal of foot traffic from residences in the surrounding area.

  • Lisa Jeffries02/11 02:15 PM

    Parking will be slim after 9pm… the warehouse bars are doing more than enough business to account for that. Maybe someone will come up with a nice solution incorporating the run down, deserted buildings and lots between Sidetrack and 5Star. I’m still looking forward to this place though… although it has taken quite a while to get here (because of financial investment, I’m sure).

  • Jim02/12 04:18 PM

    I heard they were going to raze bloomsbury estates so that people could park across the street.

  • 15002/13 08:03 AM

    Well, Jim, if they did that at the same speed they are building Bloomsbury, it’ll be about 6 years before that parking lot comes to fruition.

  • curlygrlV02/14 01:07 PM

    I am very disappointed to see there are no real options for vegetarians on the menu. There is nothing listed under standard fare, one of the two salads comes with bacon & eggs, and the only ‘special’ night that comes close is Tuesday. The problem with the Tuesday pasta night is that it leaves our fellow vegan friends without an option. I am emailing them to point this out...one can hope since they are not open yet that there is time to add some real vegetarian options. Here is there email if you’d like to join me in asking for vegetarian options

  • AfterToday02/17 03:01 AM

    “Previously the loss of Greenshields and Southend left downtown without a microbrewery...”

    What about Big Boss (aka Horniblows)?

    They’re a little on the outskirts of downtown (and extremely well hidden), but they’re inside the Beltline and I believe they brew all their tasty beer on-site.

  • David02/17 12:23 PM

    NR is a big supporter of Big Boss- but I don’t consider that area ‘downtown.’

  • curlygrlV02/17 06:32 PM

    Update...I emailed and got a prompt response back saying they would consider adding a vegetarian fare and asked for recipes! I am collecting a few to send over. Not celebrating yet but cautiously hopeful that they will add an item. Never hurts to ask!

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