Ohio contractor invests in brewery he helps construct

Craft breweries are honestly popping up on every street corner in America. Seriously, go outside, walk to the nearest corner, pop inside and order a beer. Even if it looks like a house or a dentist’s office, chances are it is now or is shortly about to become a brewery. It’s enough to make you wonder, just how are all of these deals getting done?

Well, for starters, plenty of old buildings are being repurposed — like that dentist’s office you just wandered into. But other people that make things happen are jumping in and helping move deals along. And I’m not just talking big money guys or governments, but cool, local, entrepreneurial folks like Blake Compton, co-owner of Compton Construction in Columbus, Ohio (an up-and-coming craft beer mecca). According to this awesome story in the Columbus Dispatch, Compton has brewed his own recipe for success helping to build and develop craft breweries in the area — even taking part ownership stake along the way.

The story of Land-Grant Brewing:

Land-Grant turned into much more than a project. Part way through construction, with the scope of the project growing, Keys and partner Adam Benner, were having a tough time staying on budget. Compton offered to give up 80 percent of his profit and instead take a stake in the brewery.

That deal gave Land-Grant a better brewery and taproom and brought Compton on to lead expansion, which the brewery is now tackling, far earlier than might have been possible.

“We pushed the boundaries because we knew they’d be successful,” Compton said. “And we liked the beer.”

As Compton notes, this type of ownership setup with a local craft brewer is seen as a strength, not a conflict. Just another one of those unique aspects of the craft beer industry. As an owner of Land-Grant put it:

“We benefit from a burgeoning craft-brew scene here in Columbus. We’re the first they built from start to finish. Their experience benefits us, and other (brewers’) success benefits our business. We’re cool with it.”

Quick, time to read about another “only-in-the-craft-beer-industry” partnership!