Outside of NorCal and Inside Paducah. Dry Grounds Brewery

Paducah. A small town in west Kentucky known for its spectacular waterfront district on the Ohio and its national quilt museum, no one would suspect it is also the home of a small, craft brewery, Dry Grounds Brewing Company.Located off of Broadway Street, breweries like Dry Grounds are far and few in between.  I stumbled (quite literally) upon Dry Grounds after trying to locate Cup of Pipers, a local coffee and tea import (although that visit's for another blog post). The brewery is celebrating its three month anniversary after having opened up back in February.

The space is quaint, but sufficient for the feel and the crowds which are often attracted to the fledgling brewery. The exposed pipes, rafters, custom wood furnishings, and the giant steel kettles lining the walls create an industrial look. Coupled with the heavy handed brick work, and expansive windows, Dry Grounds has the feel of a modern facility and a small town hole-in-the-wall joint.

But Dry Grounds has more than just aesthetic appeal. The clients gathered around the bar are treated to not only to a knowledgeable staff, but also to men who genuinely enjoy engaging with their clients and getting a laugh out of them. Talking with Joel and the other brewmeisters proved to be entertaining and enlightening. It was also exciting to learn that brews local to NorCal like Lagunitas had made it cross country to spots like Paducah.

The other electrifying aspect of my afternoon spent at Dry Grounds—apart from the scintillating conversation—was discovering that my favorite stout, Rapture, was on tap as well.

At barely three months old, Dry Grounds already seems to have already found its niche with the Paducah crowd; it's no wonder considering it's aesthetic draw, eclectic assemblage of drafts, fun staff, and accessible location. Future adventures away from NorCal towards Paducah may find me revisiting Dry Grounds.

Don't forget to check out the related links on Yolo Brewing Co. and Berryessa Brewing Co., and check out my Twitter and Instagram feeds at @hazelgrey__. As always, let me know where you like to unwind on the weekends. Suggestions welcome!