Cheers! Great Escape coming to Republic

Brewery set to occupy former Burk Bridge Company on U.S. 60
 
Great Escapes Beer Works, a brewing company which specializes in crafted beers, announced on Friday, April 15, that they will open a new location in Republic in 2023. The brewery will move into the building that formerly housed the Burk Bridge Company, on six acres approximately half a mile southwest of James River Freeway.
Jake Duensing, owner and brewmaster at Great Escapes, said they needed new place of business so that his brewery could continue to expand, and Republic was the logical place to open one.
“Our goal has always been to grow the brewery and reach as many people as we can,” he said, “and we have reached our production capacity at our current location. We have a lot of customers who are from Republic, (and) after meeting with the city and learning of their interest and future growth, we felt Republic would be a great second location for us.”
Duensing said the new location will be much larger than their current place in Springfield.
“The property will consist of two buildings,” he said. “The front building will house the taproom, offices and lab and is roughly 11,000 square feet. The back building, which will be the production brewery, is 16,000 square feet.”
However, Duensing added, Great Escapes will also continue to hold onto their Springfield building.
“We will keep our current taproom and brewery,” he said. The plan is to brew our pilot and experimental beers out of the current location. We are renovating both buildings.”
When its new Republic location is complete, Great Escapes will have some new amenities to offer customers.
“We will have a much larger taproom with a nine-hole miniature golf course, as well as a larger outdoor beer garden,” Duensing said. “We are also adding food to the new location with a small kitchen that will have a narrow menu focusing on pizzas.”
Duensing also said Great Escapes is looking forward to being part of the explosive growth that has become synonymous with Republic.
“The city of Republic and the residents have been very supportive of us, and we're excited to be a part of the exciting growth in the city,” he said.