Coming soon... The Lexington Avenue Brewery (The LAB) & Sweet Peas Hostel

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by Justin Belleme
on Thursday, June 04, 2009

Justin and William talk with Mike Healy of the Sweet Peas Hostel

With each passing week, we grow closer to the much anticipated opening of the Lexington Avenue Brewery (the LAB) and Sweet Peas Hostel. Located in the TS Morrison Building on North Lexington Avenue, these two businesses, covering a total of 12,000 sq ft of space, stand to reshape the flow of nightlife and travelers in downtown Asheville.

I recently had the pleasure of touring the construction site with Mike Healy, the co-owner of these two businesses. On that day in mid May, Healy had nearly 30 people working hard to try to get the LAB and Sweet Pea's up and running as soon as possible. Healy is shooting for a late July or August launch date.

Downstairs: Lexington Avenue Brewery (The LAB)

Located at 39 North Lexington Avenue, the LAB will be a 365 occupancy restaurant, bar, brewery with two music stages. Imagine a front of the house layout similar to the Usual Suspects, with a large serpentine bar topped with reclaimed pine from the roof and fronted with Tupelo gum also salvaged from the building.

Offering a unique blend of Southern and California cuisine, the restaurant will serve full lunch and dinner in a casual dining environment. The dining room and bar area will have a space to accommodate small musical acts.

At the rear of the building behind the brewery on the right and the stylish doorless airport style restrooms on the left, will be a larger music venue with a 99 person occupancy.

Directly behind the bar, will be the brewery operation. The 15 barrel JV Northwest brewing system will stock 3000 gallons of cold storage with a combination of German influenced brews, local favorites and seasonal offerings.

The focus of the brewing operation will be "making beer the way the German's have been for the past 400 years," explains brew master Ben Pierson. Pierson's long list of brewing experience includes training at Kaltenberg Brewery in Furstenfeldbruck, Upland Brewing Company in Bloomington, IN, as well as several years as both brewer and brewmaster at Asheville's Green Man Brewing Company.

Pierson explained that the brewing at the LAB will utilize "infusion mashing" to produce 30 kegs per batch. The goal is "clean and balanced" beer that provides true "drinkability." "I want to make something that, besides its balance, is easy to drink and makes you think the entire time that you are drinking it."

Beer style lineup provided by Pierson:

White Belgian Style Ale
German Kolshe
Bohemian Pilsner
Oktoberfest Marzen
Hefeweizen
American Style IPA

Winter Seasonals:

Porter
Chocolate Stout

Upstairs: Sweet Peas Hostel

Above the multi-functional downstairs venue will be Asheville's newest and largest hostel. Sweet Peas Hostel, located at 23 Rankin Avenue, will provide up to 44 guests with several sleeping options. The communal hostel environment will be more affordable than a traditional hotel or motel, and offer guests the opportunity to get to know fellow travelers.

Sleeping options will include individual sleeping pods and two bunk style rooms with four bunks each. Sweet Peas is planning to make one of the bunk rooms available for women only.

During my tour of the upstairs area Healy explained that the roof of the building was a work in progress, but that it may eventually be equipped with solar panels to help power the two businesses below.

Convenient and affordable downtown lodging, local beer, locally inspired cuisine, and two music stages; honestly, what more could a local or traveler ask for?

Photos from the visit by Mike Belleme

Mike Healy, co-owner of the Lexington Avenue Brewery and Sweet Peas Hostel
stands between the unfinished walls of one of the bunk rooms at Sweet Peas.

Ben Pierson, brewmaster of the Lexington Avenue Brewery, the LAB

Ben Pierson, the brewmaster for the soon to open Lexington Avenue Brewery.
The LAB will brew German style beer as well as local favorites and seasonal offerings.

Mike Healy explains the features of Sweet Peas Hostel to Justin Belleme
and William Addy during a recent visit to the constructions site

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Comments

Mike - Thursday, June 04, 2009 @ 2:01:55 pm

I'm really psyched for this place to open. It seems like such a perfect fit. Good article.

jodi rhoden - Friday, June 05, 2009 @ 6:41:06 am

Great article justin! i like what yall are doing with ashevillenow.
xo
jodi

Jan - Friday, June 05, 2009 @ 10:45:15 am

Wow, interesting article and great addition to Asheville! Thanks!

Debi Drecksler - Friday, June 05, 2009 @ 12:16:19 pm

Wonderful article...Fantastic photographs!

Julie - Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 4:39:59 pm

Ben Pierson is about the best professional brewer to ever hit Asheville IMHO and that's saying a lot given the talented brewers in this area. Really looking forward to this opening!

Eric - Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 10:53:03 am

I have been playing on the Adult Coed soccer team that is sponsored by LAB & Echo Mountain Studios since last summer and needless to say I am highly anticipating the opening of LAB! It's great that an awesome location is being used for stuff that makes Asheville even more awesome! The concept is totally in line with Asheville's community...genius! And like I said I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Lance - Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 11:20:36 am

You guys are in for a real treat. I used to drink Ben's been when he was at Wolfgangs back in the early 90's. This guy LOVES beer and every aspect surrounding it. He used to have us home brewers out to his house on Friday nights for a bonfire. He would sample our beers, offer us expert advice on how to tighten up our process or recipe then just make you feel like a part of the family. I really miss those days.
All my best to Ben "the beer guy" Pierson!

Adam Rallings - Sunday, July 26, 2009 @ 1:20:19 am

How could I find out more about The LAB and possibly employment information?

Diane Black - Wednesday, August 19, 2009 @ 10:45:21 am

This website is awesome, its great for everything. It is extremely detailed and fun to read.

Thanks!!!
D.

Courtney Williams - Monday, August 31, 2009 @ 12:36:27 pm

Just what asheville needs. Everyone is super excited! Great Article