Denizens Brewing Co., under construction [Photos: Missy Frederick/Eater.com]
A popular food truck will get its brick-and-mortar big break, courtesy of an upstart brewery.
BBQ Bus is going to open a restaurant at Denizens Brewing Company, the brewery coming to 1115 East-West Highway in Silver Spring. The partnership came about naturally — food truck co-owner Che Ruddell-Tabisola and Denizen co-owner Emily Bruno had met through their day jobs. BBQ Bus knew it was ready to expand, explained Tadd Ruddell-Tabisola, though they weren't sure what route they were going to take. Meanwhile, with more than 10,000 square feet of space to work with at their brewery site, the Denizens team knew they would have to figure out some sort of food offering, and had already had one operator fall through. The whole partnership came together in less than a month.
"Beer and barbecue; it just goes together," said Tadd Ruddell-Tabisola. Fans of the BBQ Bus food truck will get to try many of the same food items at BBQ Bus at Denizens Brewing Co., including pulled pork sandwiches and combination platters. But the expanded kitchen facility means they'll get to expand their menu to deep-fried items, wings and items previously only offered seasonally, like a chicken pot pie.
"We want to be the kind of casual place people can go to once or twice a week," said Bruno, who is opening Denizens with partners Jeff Ramirez and Julie Verratti. There is room for 300 seats at the brewery and restaurant, including a spacious 150-seat patio.
The brewery has a capacity for 2,200 barrels a year, and will open with five different styles of beer: a Bohemian Pilsner, an Extra Special Bitter, a Rye I.P.A., a Belgian Tripel-style beer and an American Red Ale. Both Denizens and its restaurant are aiming to open next month.
· Denizens [Official Site]
· BBQ Bus [Official Site]
