Former Taft's space in old Over-the-Rhine church to house new brewery

The former Taft's Ale House space in Over-the-Rhine is getting another life.

Mellotone Beer Project will soon take over the old St. Paul's German Evangelical Protestant Church building at 1429 Race St., where Taft's Ale House resided from 2015 until its closure in November 2023, Joe Rudemiller, vice president of marketing and communications for Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), confirmed to The Enquirer.

Mellotone is led by co-owners Dennis Kramer-Wine, the former director of culture and founding director of distribution at Rhinegeist Brewery, and Alexandra Nowell, a founding brewmaster at the prominent Los Angeles craft brewery Three Weavers.

The pair plans to have a soft opening in October in time for Blink, which takes place Oct. 17-20. An official grand-opening of Mellotone Beer Project will likely take place in November, Rudemiller said.

Mellotone is taking over a space that features 46-foot ceilings and high, arch windows. The building also has Rookwood tiles – more than 25,000 of them.

Reasons cited for Taft's closure last November included the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant decline in tourism and large increases in material goods costs. Ultimately, it could not overcome the significant loss in sales since the beginning of the pandemic, according to a press release.

Mellotone Beer Project will feature a bar, restaurant and beer garden

Mellotone Beer Project will feature two entertainment concepts, according to Rudemiller. The lower level of the space will be a bar called Undertone with mid-century modern design elements and a stage for live music. Mellotone’s restaurant, serving modern American fare, will live on the main floor. The mezzanine level will become an indoor beer garden with communal seating.

The owners plan on hiring between 60 to 80 people to staff Mellotone Beer Project, Rudemiller confirmed.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former Taft's space in old Over-the-Rhine church to house new brewery