Green Valley Brewing to open in former Malted Meeple building
by Dan Holland
For John McGroarty, who has worked as a brewmaster at a number of breweries over the past 13 years, opening Green Valley Brewing Co. in Hudson is a natural progression. He previously worked for Karbach Brewing in Houston, Texas, then returned home to Northeast Ohio working stints at Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. in Akron, Canton Brewing Co., Butcher and the Brewer in downtown Cleveland and HiHO Brewing in his hometown of Cuyahoga Falls.
The plan took root a few years ago when McGroarty and his wife Emily decided to partner up with long-time friends Nick and Beth Speck to begin spying locations for a new brewery.
“My wife and I and Beth all met during our freshman year at Walsh Jesuit High School,” said McGroarty. “We went through high school together, and we all stayed friends through college and afterwards. Ironically, all of our kids are even staggered by a few months apart from each other.”
John McGroarty and Beth Speck are taking on the business venture full-time with help from each of their spouses.
“We’re the only two employees right now,” said Speck. “I worked in corporate banking for 13 years, and I loved it, but it was time to move on. Every day now is something new, but I absolutely love it. I spent last week power washing the wood fence making it look brand new. I’ve always needed a job that has more variety.”
Extensive renovations to the 5,000 square-foot building – located at 53 Milford Dr. at the site of the former Malted Meeple – were nearing completion in June, with an expected opening by Aug. 1, according to McGroarty. The four-pillar steeple out front from The Malted Meeple days has been replaced with a new wood-framed main entrance.
A second outdoor patio is in the plans for the .8-acre site to be added to the current 2,000-square-foot patio, complete with sun sails, picnic tables, metal outdoor furniture and games. Future plans also call for a three-season porch to be added on. A decommissioned railroad line that runs behind the site may be converted into the city’s newest biking trail, according to Beth Speck.
“The city of Hudson is in talks about potentially buying that rail line from Norfolk Southern and turning it into a bike path,” she said. “Veterans Way Park is right on the other side of it, and parking for the bike trail would be right behind us.”
Food service in the 80-seat dining/bar area will consist of counter service and online ordering utilizing a QR code, explained McGroarty.
“You’ll be able to scan the code, punch in an order, and then it will be brought to you,” he said. “It will mainly be fresh, light and easy-to-eat foods, [such as] flatbreads, hot sandwiches, appetizers and big authentic pretzels – your standard brew fare.”
The brewery plans to feature a 20-tap brew wall along with choices of hard ciders and wines. McGroarty hopes to eventually offer 16 home-crafted beers.
“I’ve always tried to focus on a blend of classic and contemporary styles,” he said. “I really like focusing on pale German lagers and French and Belgian Saisons, but we’ll also have IPAs, fruited sours and fruited seltzers, things like that. We’ll offer a wide variety.”
The business, which was named with a nod to the nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park, expects to employ around a dozen workers.
“Come on down and check us out with the whole family,” said Speck. “We are super-excited to open, and we can’t wait for you to try our beers and seltzers, and we’ll have some great food from day one. We’ll be hosting a lot of fun activities in the yard, and we can’t wait to show all of this off.” ∞
Photo: Longtime friends John McGroarty (r) and Beth Speck are teaming up to open Green Valley Brewing Co. on Milford Drive. Photo by D. Holland.