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SIDETRACK BREWPUB

NEW BREWERY JUST ACROSS THE BRIDGE

[Editor's Note: Since this article was first published, the name of the brewpub has changed]
[to "Boylan Bridge Brewpub".  An updated article for the brewpub is expected here soon.   ]
[Until then, you can visit the Boylan Bridge Brewpub web site for more details                   ]

Some of you may have seen the September 26, 2005 article in the N&O about the new brewery coming to the corner of Hargett and S. Boylan.  I read it and wanted to know more about what Andrew Leager has planned so I interviewed him! Here ‘s what’s up.

The Building

Special Projects, an architectural woodwork company owned by Andrew Leager, moved in at 629 W Hargett in March 2005 (The company spent the previous 8 years next to Joe’s Place on Martin Street). Andrew has a seven year lease on the building owned by Eva Mettrey, daughter of deceased John Mettrey. Originally the building was owned by Norfolk Southern Railway Company, then Pittsburgh Plate Glass, then Metropolitan Furniture Leasing, then a series of individuals. Steel Winds Company operated it as a steel fabrication business. Most recently, Talk of the Town, an interior design company, had a showroom there. 

 The 13,500 sq ft building that sits on .42 acres is considered a 1 story building by Wake tax records, however a full basement is under the level that you see from Boylan Ave. In that basement, is the workshop for Special Projects, which specializes in commercial woodworking designs. The basement is full of saws, wood, special tools, work tables, etc. Current projects being worked on include the Cameron Village Library and Chris Bender’s bar in North Hills. Also, Special Projects designed and built the bar at Flying Saucer. For more information on Special Projects, check out http://www.wemakestuff.com.

Above the basement, is the office level where Andrew and his crew do their design work. It is the glass walled area you see from Boylan Avenue.  The building design with the eye-level glassed-in space visible from the street is an inspiration for Andrew.  He intends to use indoor and outdoor lighting to emphasize special areas of the restaurant giving it the effect he is looking for as an architect. He’ll keep the bold black and white tile in the restaurant/bar. Current plans are to seat 86 people in the restaurant/bar and 80 people on the deck - currently the parking lot to the right of the building. Andrew has designed a deck to overlook the current wall that allows one a view of the downtown. The deck, designed and built by Andrew and his crew, will be shaded by a pergola, plants and trees. The crepe myrtles you see there now will be integrated into the deck plan.

The Man - Andrew Leager and The Brewery- Sidetrack Brewpub

A year ago February, “after 30 years of a perfect record” using a table saw, Andrew cut off two fingers on his left hand. “In a nanosecond they were gone.” The experience appears to have impacted him spiritually and provided him with clarity, passion, and motivation.

Andrew Leager’s plans are to turn the street level of the building into a brewery and restaurant where “people can come and talk about issues.” Andrew reports that his intention is to “go for the Boylan Heights crowd.” He’s not a fan of noise so you won’t hear a TV  blaring at the Sidetrack Brewpub. He doesn’t even want music but concedes that it will probably end up with some.

Andrew, who grew up in Raleigh, has been making his own beer for 7 or 8 years. He states he’s had a lot of satisfaction in making homebrew. His passion is to “take raw materials and have my way with them,” i.e. turn them into cabinets, beer, or delicious food. The married father of two states his menu will include a daily special and standard fare. Specials include an outdoor pig pickin every Thursday, fish every Friday and pasta on Tuesdays. Standard fare includes burgers, wings, quiches, and salads. He’ll be hiring a general manager, a brew master and a cook to run things.

So what is the significance of “Sidetrack?” Well, it is beside the railroad tracks. And then there’s the verb meaning to become sidetracked - which Andrew hopes you will be - at Sidetrack Brewpub. But then there is Andrew’s teenage memory of going to Jim Peden’s place down around West Street or Harrington called The Sidetrack - “where beatniks sat around and played bongos and read poetry.”

Andrew’s plan is to open May or June 2006. See you there!

Chris Weedy

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