By Kevin Revolinski | Photo by Hop Garden
Drive into the lovely little town that is Paoli, and you’ll likely hear it before you see it: music drifting out over the water from Hop Garden Brewing’s shaded beer garden along the Sugar River. The taproom’s outdoor space hosts live music and a convivial crowd throughout the open-air season. That recipe for success was repeatable, and founders Rich and Michele Joseph have since opened two more Hop Garden locations — the most recent this past July in Belleville.
The Josephs opened their Paoli taproom ten years ago in the back of an 1860s stone flour mill with the intention of serving their own beers featuring the hops they grow on their 16-acre hop farm near Belleville. In 2023, they opened a second Hop Garden in another historic building, a 1907 post office in Evansville, this time with the addition of a barbecue restaurant to its biergarten/live music model. Popularity has already compelled them to add 60 more seats to the space earlier this year.
But now the Josephs have something brewing closer to home. Designed by architects Angus-Young Associates, Inc. and built out by Findorff, the new downtown Belleville location is located in the historic 1917 Garage at 107 W. Main St. The indoor restaurant and taproom has seating for up to 170 people as well as a private function room. The outdoor patio faces a stage overlooking Lake Belle View and the Sugar River. Much like the Evansville location, food focuses on the art of barbecue, featuring smoked brisket, pork, chicken and burnt ends, and live music draws from local talent.
Rich is excited for the new location and credits their loyal customers for Hop Garden’s continued success.
“This year is extra special, as we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of our Paoli taproom,” says Rich.
