The Daily Times

The aim of Bluetick Brewery is to represent a taste of the South.

With that in mind, founders Christopher and Sarah Snyder of Maryville named their new enterprise after their rescue dog, Ole Blue, a bluetick hound.

They found Blue on the Internet at a shelter in Boone, N.C. Blue apparently got into an altercation with a bear, which ripped his side open and required the dog to undergo a multitude of stitches. The Snyders had to wait for Blue to heal before they could bring him home.

“Blueticks are great family dogs. They are an easygoing breed,” Sarah Snyder said.

They thought the name of the breed that originated in America gave their brewery a local flavor.

They plan to open Bluetick Brewery and tap room in late February 2013 at 1509 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville, near the Five Point roundabout.

The first year will involve research and development of beers. The tap room will be open with members offered first pick of the beer selections, but the general public will also be invited to get beers or have growlers (large beer containers) refilled.

In 2014 they plan to open a full restaurant, offering beers from all over the South region. They expect to employ 30 to 40 people at that time.

The Snyders are currently “recruiting fellow beer snobs for an exclusive membership program.”

Recruiting members

The hope is to recruit 1,000 people and then end the membership drive.

“As a micro-brewery cooperative, members will have access to incredible fresh local craft beer at a reasonable price without the retail markup,” Christopher said.

Member costs start at payments of $40 per month or a one-time payment for a lifetime membership of $200. Bluetick Club membership benefits will include two pints per week at their tap room in the brewery, voting rights for favorite beer and help determine the set “house beers” always on tap.

In addition to joining the Bluetick Cooperative, members can pay an additional $360 per year to join the LeConte Club, a beer of the week membership. This membership will include an additional growler fill of beer per week (a $480 value) and access to homebrewing supplies at cost.

A Minnesota chef transplant, Christopher has fallen in love with the tight-knit community of Maryville.

“There are a lot of residents in the area with a strong passion for sustainability, local flavor and beer; all elements that will be a part of this brewery. This brewery-coop gives members a voice in what beers they want to be drinking. I am excited for us fellow beer lovers to unite and make incredible craft beer,” he said.

Working with farmers

The Snyders moved to Tennessee three years ago when Christopher took the job of chef at Blackberry Farm in Walland. Almost two years ago the small family, which includes their small son, Charleston, moved to Maryville.

Christopher wanted to be part of the food-to-table culture and Blackberry Farm is the quintessential example of that, Sarah said.

He is now a chef at Dancing Bear Lodge in Townsend, which is closely affiliated with Blackberry Farm.

The plan for the brewery is to use as many local hops as possible, no presses or additives for fresh quality beers, Christopher said.

“We will be contracting with local farmers to grow hops in the area. Three or four farmers have come to us already. We will also contact farmers to use our spent grain to feed their livestock,” he said.

‘Barks & Brews’

Their first event for the public will be Saturday night at Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson for “Barks & Brews.” Bluetick is supporting the new no-kill Blount County Humane Society, their neighbors on East Broadway.

Bluetick will be located in the tasting tent offering pours of their Honey Speckled Hound, an American cream ale with a hint of local Blount County clover honey. T-shirts will be available for purchase.

The Market in Maryville will hosting a Pork & Pints event for Bluetick Brewery’s first pre-launch party on Oct. 25.

Money raised first will be used for three conical fermenters, which can produce 15 barrels of beer.

The campaign will go on for a month with the Snyders making stops at different locations in the county.

Bluetick Brewery will be featuring their Appalachian Pale Ale, Chimney Tops Peat Smoked Porter, a Bourbon Barrel Cherry Wood Smoked American Amber and a seasonal Pritchard’s Rum-Cask Pumpkin Ale.

There will be a live bluegrass band, beer-trivia prizes and a raffle for a Bluetick membership (a $200 value at the BBQ beer bash. Their mascot, Blue, will also make an appearance to shake paws and mingle.