METCO officials today approved a $100,000 loan to Against the Grain, LLC, the final step in the sale of Browning’s Brewery at Slugger Field.
The new ownership will operate Against the Grain Brewery and Smokehouse, and hopes to open before the end of baseball season, according to Adam Watson, one of four partners in the new business. Browning’s will operate until the end of July.
Watson, along with partners Jerry Gnagy, Samuel Cruz and Adam Ott, says the new business will have more of a focus on beer.
“The changes are primarily ascetic and culinary,” Watson said. “It’s still a brewpub, but we plan to be a much more creative and beer-focused team to make the beer side work.”
Browning’s, housed at Slugger Field, opened in April, 2009 under the leadership team of chef Anoosh Shariat and Paula Barmore. Prior to that, Shariat was the chef at both Browning’s and the former upscale Park Place restaurant. The business operates under a lease with the Louisville Bats, and has a brewing operation.
Watson, who has a law degree, said he and his partners will be more beer-oriented.
Barmore said today that she and Shariat are thrilled to be getting out of the business and that the new ownership team has big plans for the space.
“They’re super nice guys, and it’s a great opportunity,” she said.
Barmore, a real estate broker, said she and Shariat have no current plans to re-enter the restaurant business, despite Shariat’s fame as a local chef.
“He’s got different opportunities and we’re open to suggestions. We might travel and see family. We’re thrilled to sell buxinss to great peope who are beer lovers and Anoosh is not a beer person,” she said.
She said that she’s planning a “Bye Bye Browning’s” party in July.
