There are two more reasons to hit SRP Park, home of the Augusta GreenJackets (Low A; Sally League), when it opens next spring: a smokehouse and brewery will be located in the ballpark’s right-field area.
The barbecue will come from Southbound Smokehouse, an Augusta business setting up shop at the ballpark. As part of that effort, SweetWater Brewing of Atlanta — a major presence in the microbrew world — will be brewing beer onsite, including varieties specific to the North Augusta ballpark. From the Augusta Chronicle:
The restaurant will be on two levels, glassed in to offer views from all sides and with three outdoor porches on the river and a biergarten on the bottom level, he said.
[Southbound Smokehouse owner George] Claussen said he’s remodeling the Central Avenue Southbound location — which remains open — and it should be finished about the time the stadium location opens in time for the first game in the new stadium, an exhibition between the University of Georgia and Clemson University on April 10.
“We’ve got to be open, just like they’ve got to be open,” Claussen said, referring to the stadium.
A beer at the ballpark is a natural, of course. We’re actually a little surprised more ballpark operators aren’t looking at a ballpark brewery. The Durham Bulls (Class AAA; International League) certainly have provided a model with their ballpark brewing operation, and the Atlanta Braves opened SunTrust Park this year with a well-attended brewery onsite.
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