Inside The Snazzy Historical Renovation of Anticipated Brewery Wayward Owl

Wayward Owl founder-brewer Justin Boswell has been working since May 2015 toward opening his brewery (a concept even longer in the making) in Broadmoor' Gem theater. After a long renovation and restoration under the watchful eye of the HDLC, the 70 year old structure, open between 1948-1961 for African Americans under segregation laws, finally reopens its doors, after much anticipation.

In addition to the brewery and taproom, Boswell hopes to be able to provide a community space, "so that those living close to us can benefit not only from the beer being produced but a neat resurrection of something that served that community so well for so long."

"You can walk in through the original ticketing doors and once inside, be able to see every aspect of brewing operations from the tasting room," Boswell says, noting the open space between the brewery and taproom. Originally, he planned to put up a glass wall, but since it wasn't a historically accurate feature in the theater, that plan was nixed.

Grid View

• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted
• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted
• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted
• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted
• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted
• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted
• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted
• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted
• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted
• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted
• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted
• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted
• Inside Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Brasted

On September 27, the power flowed back to the Gem Theater for the first time in over 11 years, and starting on Saturday, the beer will be flowing in Wayward Owl's taproom for its Grand Opening celebration.

While the brewery has been softly open since just after Thanksgiving, relying on word of mouth to get customers in to give feedback on the beer and service, the grand opening really kicks off Wayward Owl's next step.

Starting at noon on December 17, the celebration includes food trucks, live music, a charity raffle benefiting the neighborhood Boys and Girls Club, and actual live owls. The tasting room is kid-friendly, so that should be a hit while Mom and Dad sidle up for 12-ounce pours of the brewery's standards (Clean Slate IPA, Family Tree Kristallweizen, and The Tawny Twit English Pale Bitter) and one-off "Rare Birds," including limited amounts of Scops Scotch Ale, Grumpy Owl Sour ESB, and Shoop IPA with yuzu and cantaloupe.

Brewery tours will run at 12:30, 2:30, and 5:30.

Status: Officially open at 3940 Thalia St. Grand Opening on 12/17 noon-8:00 p.m. Regular hours: Tues-Sun from 4:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. (504) 827-1646.

• Wayward Owl Brewing [Official Site]
• All Eater Inside Coverage [ENOLA]