Willoughby Brewing Company, launched in 1998 by T.J. Reagan, helped spur the revitalization of downtown Willoughby while simultaneously making some damn fine craft beer. The award-winning brewpub, set in a 120-year-old railcar repair depot, enjoyed a remarkable run under a handful of owners until January 2020, when the landlord locked out the last owners for nonpayment of rent.
Already work has begun to convert the former Willoughby Brewing into Tricky Tortoise . It’s a hefty undertaking considering the building’s current state of affairs, but Ehasz is already knee-deep into the venture. He plans to open the space up by removing some interior divider walls. He’ll update the lighting, paint the walls and highlight the metalwork. A second bar will be built in the dining room to remove some pressure off the main bar in front of the brewhouse. In preparation for the return of live music, the stage will get a facelift and the sound and lighting systems will be updated.
In terms of food service, Ehasz says the emphasis will be on “brew” rather than “pub.” After all, the dining scene has exploded all around the brewery in recent years. Ehasz’ first major hire was Caleb Brown, a brewer who worked at Platform/AB and Thirsty Dog. Brown is inheriting a storied brewhouse – one that turned out award-winners like Peanut Butter Cup Coffee Porter and Railway Razz – but guests can expect Brown to start with mainly classic styles, albeit with his own twist.