By: Robin Yocum
So, two math teachers walk into a bank and ask for a loan to start a brewery.
It sounds like a set-up for a joke, right? And, to be fair, the first two or three times Mark Robinson and Jason Kissel applied for the loan, it probably had the bank officers laughing.
At the time, all they knew about brewing beer was from a Master Brewers Academy course Jason had taken and their experiments in Mark’s garage.
Oh, and they both like coffee. Big coffee fans. So, they had that going for them.
On the fourth try – Or maybe the fifth, but who’s counting? – a loan officer from Fifth Third Bank visited the site of their proposed brewery. This time, the math teachers got the green light.
The result is Standardized Brewing, a coffee and beer bar – though, generally, not at the same time – with a premo location at the entrance to Evans Farm. The location offers house-brewed beers, house-brewed coffees, cold brews, and iced teas.
The concept had its genesis years ago when Mark and Jason were both math teachers at Westland High School. They shared a mutual interest in coffee and discussed the possibility of someday opening a business specializing in the brewing sciences – coffee and beer. Although Mark moved to Big Walnut High School, the duo stayed in touch.
They got together one night at Mark’s new home in Evans Farm. The idea for the brewing business was reinvigorated. There’s a teensy chance that an evening of alcohol may have been the igniter. (As the saying goes, no great story ever started with a salad.)
The next week, Mark and his wife, Amy, began drafting a business plan. The development of business space at Evans Farm was beginning to take shape. After the loan was secured, Standardized Brewing was launched at 5920 Evans Farm Dr.
The name, Standardized Brewing, is . . . Well, for one thing, it’s a bit long. It was derived from Mark and Jason’s math background. Mark started to go into a little more detail and said something about bell curves, but in all honesty, at this point I zoned out, pulled out my phone and started reading a review about Kevin Costner’s new movie, Horizon, which one critic called “dull, frustrating and sleep-inducing.” In all candor, it wasn’t much different than Mark’s explanation of the Standardized Brewing name.
Don’t fret about the name. Just remember, they have really good beer.
The brewery is a partnership of Jason, Mark and his wife Amy, and their Evans Farm neighbors, Justyn and Roni Shye.
Standardized Brewing has a limited food menu of breakfast sandwiches, chicken fingers, jumbo pretzels and Der Dutchman pastries. However, you’re welcome to bring in your own food, pick up something from the food truck that’s usually parked outside, have something delivered from Uber Eats, or order from Yabo’s Tacos across the street. Sextons Pizza will soon be the newest restaurant to open at Evans Farm.
Are you paying attention? Beer, pizza and tacos within a few feet of each other. I don’t think any further elaboration is needed.
If delicious, locally brewed beer isn’t your thing, Standardized Brewing has a full liquor license and also offers ciders, seltzer, cocktails and wine.
Jason said their goal was to create a family friendly environment where the adults can have a beer and socialize while the kids entertain themselves. There’s a great outdoor area with a ping-pong table, and there are plans to add corn hole and other lawn games in the area in front of the brewery.
“We want to be involved in the community and a place where parents are comfortable bringing their kids,” Jason said. “We’re very proud of what we’ve built thus far, and we hope to grow things from here.”
You can order your coffee online. But not your beer. That requires an ID, so don’t be trying any funny business.
You can contact Standardize Brewing at 614.428.0900 or via email at info@standardizedbrewing.com. Check out the website at www.standardizedbrewing.com.
