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    Hop Yard 62 Invigorates Grove City Beer Scene

    Hop Yard 62, located in historic downtown Grove City, is sparking new life into the local beer scene. Since opening on February 6th, Hop Yard 62 has been encouraging their customers to drink local, and subsequently enjoying a steady amount of business. They’re the only craft beer bar in Grove City, and the closest growler fill station to Downtown Columbus. They’ve sold hundreds of growlers in the past few months, along with countless pints of beer; their 17 rotating taps are almost all Ohio breweries.

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    Owners Greg and Tammy Solt were regulars when Hop Yard 62 still existed as the Garden Cafe on Broadway, a restaurant that hosted live music and beer/wine tastings on weekends. After the Garden Cafe’s owners moved to the Virgin Islands to start a restaurant in 2014, Greg and Tammy found themselves missing having a gathering place to relax with friends and family. They bought the restaurant, becoming 50% owners.

    “We really loved being here, getting to see friends and know people in the community,” said Greg Solt.

    The building was built prior to WWI, at one time housing firetrucks for the volunteer fire department. The taproom went through an almost complete remodel and rebuild in January. The Solts ripped up the ground floor to expose the original concrete. The inside now hosts a handsome metal bar flanked by tables, while the outside boasts a mid-sized front patio. The name references State Route 62 that runs in front of the bar, and a Hop Yard Plot in Wooster that’s set up to research 10 varieties of hops.

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    Their beer flights have proved popular, and include several different options aside from build-your-own: the Miso Hoppy flight that includes all IPA/Pale Ales; the Night Flight that contains darker beers with higher ABVs; and a bartender-selected First Flight, for those new to craft beers. The samples are served in antique cheese boxes, matching the tap room’s relaxed, small-town industrial feel.

    They’ve also recently begun hosting tap takeovers. Land Grant Brewing took the reins in March, while Actual Brewing took over in April. Catawba Island Brewing has taken over during the ongoing Columbus Brew Week, ending May 9. In terms of other events, they offer craft beer education classes, live music on Saturdays, and Salute to Service events, tributes to veterans and first responders. Hop Yard 62 also serves as a meet-up space for local home brewers every other month, giving them a place to discuss their latest projects and techniques.

    “We try to educate our customers about craft beer and give them an experience they can’t get anywhere else. It really gets them interested in how the beers are brewed,” said Solt.

    Hop Yard 62 doesn’t serve food, but they have teamed up with Grand Stand Pizza and several other restaurants to bring customers food. Grand Stand Pizza, a shop right across the street, will deliver pizza directly to your seat. Hop Yard 62 has also made moves to bring food trucks to the business. OH Burgers Food Truck stopped by for their Actual Brewing tap takeover, and Greg noted that they’re looking forward to bringing in more.

    Hop Yard 62 is open Tuesday – Thursday 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., Fridays 4 p.m. – midnight, and Saturdays noon – midnight.

    For more information, visit www.hopyard62.com.

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    Rebecca Wagner
    Rebecca Wagnerhttps://columbusunderground.com
    Rebecca Wagner is a former staff writer at Columbus Underground who reported on local food and restaurant news. She's a graduate of Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism.
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