Danny Boy Beer Works brewing plans for Carmel

The owners of Brockway Public House in Carmel are working on plans to open a craft brewery and taproom in the Village of WestClay.

Danny Boy Beer Works already is producing small batches of its Training Day and Black IPA brews, which is available at Brockway and other area watering holes including Twenty Tap in SoBro and MacNiven’s on Mass Ave.

“It allows us to prototype our beers,” said Kevin Paul, majority owner along with his wife, Lainie. “Ultimately, we’ll use the taproom to help promote our location. We’re a local brewery.”

Paul and partner Prescott Sanders are aiming to combine wholesale and retail operations at their brewpub, which will be built on 0.21 acres at 12702 Meeting House Road (pending city approval).

Danny Boy makes beer for beer lovers—think India Pale Ales, stouts and the like—and Paul wants the physical location to have just as much character.

“I don’t want a brewery behind glass,” he said. “We might put a table right next to the fermenter. I want a very engaging environment.”

The 5,000-square-foot building will have about 20 tables, 20 barstools and some outside seating, Paul said. He envisions 10 taps for Danny Boy brews and 20 or 30 guest taps. (Wine also will be available.)

Although beverages are the main attraction, the taproom—dubbed Danny Boy Beer Exchange—also will offer a limited menu, he said.

“We’re a brewery first, a tap house second, and a restaurant third,” Paul said. “We want to make a style of craft beer the community can rally around.”

A brewpub has been on the Pauls’ wish list for more than 20 years, he said. They will continue to operate Brockway, a Dublin-industrial pub on Old Meridian Street, and are seeking locations for other “little corner pubs” in central Indiana.

Danny Boy would join at least two other microbreweries operating in Carmel. Central Indiana has been flooded with craft beer in recent years. Is there still room for more?