Even though the opening of Kobold Brewing Taste Room and The Vault Tap House is less than a month away, much still needs to be completed. But Steve Anderson and his wife Heather are confident that on July 29, Redmond’s newest destination for a cold brew will be open.

“It will be great to be able to take my beer, straight from my brewery, and have it on my taps at my tap house,” Steve said. “It completes the brewery being able to offer our beer at our tap house.”

The location at 245 SW Sixth Street will be the Andersons’ combined family-friendly tap house, complete with outdoor patio and food cart, and taste room, which will allow Steve to debut some of his experimental brews to hop-savvy beer connoisseurs. They already have their brewing operation located in Bend and the addition of the tap house is a natural progression of growth of their company.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Steve said. “The city of Redmond has been outstanding, super helpful.”

The 1,150-square-foot location was previously Redmond Smoke and Gift, which closed and left the building vacant for several years before the Andersons purchased it about a year ago. They have been busy renovating the space, including the patio area on the north side of the building, which had to be cleared of dirt, shrubs and trees — nearly 80 yards worth.

“It’s also been an absolute gigantic amount of work,” Steve said. “Many 12 and 14 hour days.”

The interior received a complete overhaul, including a small kitchen and two new ADA-compliant bathrooms. The architectural design is industrial modern and a part of what sets the location apart from other tap house locations.

“We like the industrial modern style where it’s clean but it leaves the concrete and steel exposed,” Heather said.

“We started with that style and followed through with it and didn’t accept anything outside of that,” Steve added. “We’re happy with how it is turning out.”

Not to be left out of the Redmond food arena, the Andersons are enlisting the street cuisine of Westside Taco Company. The food cart will be located near the patio. Westside Taco is relocating from Los Angeles, the owner having previously lived in Central Oregon. Outside food is also welcome to bring into the tap house.

The tap house will have 20 beers on tap, 18 standard and two nitro. The Andersons plan to have six to eight of their owns beers on tap at any time with the rest being a mix of craft beers dependent on availability.

Steve began brewing around 2011 with help from local groups Central Oregon Brewers and Central Oregon Homebrewers Organization. He found he had a knack for creating “very drinkable beers,” and began a small scale brewing operation in 2015. Since then he has seen increased demand for his brews and has wanted to open his own tap house. He wanted to have an outdoor area and be near a downtown to attract foot traffic, which made his location in Redmond a perfect fit. Now, with only weeks before their planned opening, the Andersons are excited to be able to light up the open sign.

“We like that foot traffic lifestyle so it was a good fit,” Steve said. “And it was the only place available downtown with access to property outside of the building to have the outside beer garden.”

For Steve, the best thing about finishing the opening of the tap house is that it will allow him to get back to spending more time on experimental brewing.

“I am excited to finish it so I can get back to brewing and I’m excited to have a tap house,” Steve said. “I love the creative process of brewing and it’s pleasing when people enjoy drinking my beer.”

— Reporter, 541-548-2185, cbrown@redmondspokesman.com