15 hours Ago By Bob Stascak
Locally, most people are familiar with the Charles Berry Bascule Bridge that sits above the Black River in the city of Lorain.If you are not familiar with the Bascule Brewery and Public House, you soon will be.Since 2015, Chris Kambouris has been the driving force behind the restaurant and brewery located at 1397 Colorado Ave.
in Lorain.What started as a concept on the internet, soon developed a strong following, and that is when Kambouris said he knew it was time to make this dream a reality.Chris Kambouris, owner of Bascule Brewery and Public House in Lorain, checking on a batch of beer.
(Journal staff – The Morning Journal)He transformed the former M&M Mower Supply into a small brewery in the back of the kitchen, brewing only one variety and refilling customers’ growlers.Soon, Kambouris had to expand the brewery with custom-made equipment and focused on the beer-making process, which can take six to eight hours and about two weeks from grain to glass.More changes were coming since the building “looked like a diner,” he said.
Not easyKambouris said this type of work is not easy; it is in your blood.There’s a great deal of prep work with the beer and food and delegating duties, he said.“Luckily, I have a really great staff right now that I can assign a lot of those duties to,” Kambouris said.
“We try to accommodate every one, not only through lunches, but also through dinner.”Chris Kambouris, owner of Bascule Brewery and Public House in Lorain, stirring a batch of brew. (Journal staff – The Morning Journal)He said he recently took over all of his brewing activities and now he has to spread himself over the different facets of the business.
Related ArticlesOn the job with Thomas Becker, OSU Extension educator in Lorain CountyOn the job with Ali Cariglio Coco, co-owner of Lorenzo’s Pizzeria in LorainOn the job with Joe Mathewson, certified personal trainer at StretchLabOn the job with Mitch Witherell, owner of DiFrancesco Garage Door in LorainOn the job with Jordan Zeitler, manager of Jamie’s Carpet Shop in Elyria“Brewing is kind of an extension to cooking,” Kambouris said. “It’s really kind of this perpetual cycle that happens.“It’s 90 percent prep and cleaning.
And then you stage all of your brewing ingredients for the brew for the next day.“You have your equipment ready to go, you have your water set at the temperatures needed, and then you come in and knock out a brew.“In a perfect world, that’s all I do, I just brew.
”Kambouris said he does get called away from brewing to handle other potential issues that may arise from owning a business.It’s basically brew, clean, prepare and repeat,” he said. “At any given time, I usually have about two different beers in the chamber as they say.
“When I determine those are done, I can get those into barrels, into kegs and get those conditioned and get those ready to put out on tap.”Since opening, Kambouris has transformed into the business as a diner that just happens to have a brewery in the back.The renovations continued as there now is an outdoor dining area.
“The Bascule Bridge and Public House is a work in progress,” Kambouris said.The offeringsIn keeping with the city of Lorain’s past, and bringing it into the future, some of the signature beers that are offered include Charleston Common, Hop Waters, Steam Powered Dream Copper Ale and Erie Ghost Ship Porter, which is named after the ghost ship that is docked at the Black River, Kambouris said.While enjoying these crafted beers, patrons can play board games, he said.
For those who are musically inclined, hanging on the wall is a bass guitar and a B.C. Rich Warlock Prophecy electric guitar for the impromptu jam nights.
The Bascule Bridge and Public House is a labor of love for Kambouris since he has been in the service industry all his life.Originally from Youngstown, he also worked at the Brew Kettle in Strongsville before settling in Lorain.Kambouris said the community has supported the business, which is evidenced by all of the donated vintage signs and memorabilia throughout the establishment.
The theme is bridges, and inside you will find a replica of the MV Roger Blough ship that was built in 1972 by the Lorain Ship Building Company.The original control panel for the Bascule Bridge has been rewired into an attention-getting artifact.The Bascule Brewery and Public House also offers an all-day breakfast from pancakes to burritos.
Looking to the future of The Bascule Bridge and Public House, Kambouris hopes to steadily increase the establishment while keeping the intimate experience.Kambouris would like to expand the brewing system, get a full liquor license and expand the kitchen area.For more information, call 440-240-8213.
On the jobEach week in The Morning Journal we’ll meet someone from across Lorain County “on the job” and get to know a little bit about them. Got a suggestion for someone we should meet? Email [email protected].
.
