3 minute read
HOUND SONG BREWING CO. - THE TALK OF THE TOWN
It’s an all too familiar brewery story: guy and girl like beer, guy takes up home brewing, they share beer with friends and then finally decide to go for it and open their own brewery. But this isn’t your typical brewery story … well, it sort of is, but with an interesting twist.
Hound Song Brewing Co. was born as the brainchild of Travis and Raven Kocurek, owners and operators of the popular brewery in downtown Columbus. Travis, who is originally from Weimar, met Raven while living in Fort Collins, Colo. Together, they moved back to Colorado County and started up Hound Song in 2020.
“I became super passionate about brewing over the years,” said Travis. “Raven actually got me my first home brew kit and it started off as a hobby. I became very involved with it and wanted to brew the best possible beer I could. But that’s only one part of it. Opening a brewery is about a whole lot more than just beer. Equally important is that my wife, Raven, is a wonderful host and cares a lot about people. Before the brewery, we found ourselves hosting friends and sharing the beer that I brewed and Raven would have made a very nice meal for everyone – she always had a knack for hosting. In a roundabout way, Hound Song is an extension of our home. We’re hosting people but on a much larger scale. This brewery is a marriage of our passions. I’m passionate about brewing beer and Raven is passionate about hosting people.”
After deciding to open the brewery in the old Harbert’s Garage in Columbus, the Kocureks had to come up with a name for the place. The
Above, Hound Song Brewing Co. sits waiting to open and welcome guests at 535 Walnut Street in downtown Columbus. The brewery is located in the old Harbert’s Garage.
name Hound Song Brewing Co. has a deeper meaning than one might expect and a very personal connection to the owners.
“We have a couple of bluetick coonhounds named Barley and Remi, short for Remington,” added Travis. “One in particular has a really nice bay. One day, Raven and I were visiting a brewery in Colorado and Remi was howling away. An older gentleman in the brewery said, ‘Sure is a pretty song they sing, isn’t it?’ That added an extra layer for us and we knew it would be a really cool name for the brewery we were going to open. Plus, it has a deeper meaning than that. If you think about it, the nostalgia of being out here in the country with dogs howling and running through the woods - it represents a simpler time. That’s what we want to represent.”
Although Hound Song is already a popular hot spot with locals and visitors alike, there are changes underway at the brewery that promise bigger and better things to come.
“We are currently expanding,” shared Travis. “Our entire building is 8,000 square feet but we’re in only half the building right now. The business is progressing better than originally planned, so it’s time to grow. There will be a new tap room with seating for 100. We’re also building a permanent stage for bands and installing a PA system. The biggest thing we are adding, that is super exciting for me in particular, is a kitchen. Raven is an excellent cook and so passionate about food. We’re excited at the idea of putting out really great menu items to pair with the beer and our Texas lifestyle. We’re actively working on the renovation and planning to launch it as soon as possible. Right now, we have rotating food trucks coming in and, although the variety is great, having a permanent option will allow us to serve even more people and welcome even more guests into this brewery - this extension of our home.”
Hound Song Brewing Co. is located at 535 Walnut Street and online at houndsongbrewing.com.
Above, owners and operators Travis and Raven Kocurek welcome guests to their brewery and are pleased to discuss plans to add a new taproom, kitchen and permanent stage for bands.
