No-Li Brewhouse planning new regional production facility, taproom

No-Li Brewhouse is expanding its presence in Spokane with plans for a new production facility and taproom that could host tours, craft beer tasting, education, and community events.

No-Li Brewhouse co-founder John Bryant said he’s looking for a site near downtown and the Spokane River to build the 30,000- to 50,000-square-foot regional production facility, which could create nearly 100 jobs, and put Spokane on the map as a craft beer destination.

“It has always been our vision to create a craft beer epicenter,” Bryant said.

The facility would allow No-Li to consolidate its production and brewing facilities under one roof, and conduct more research and development of its beers. It would also complement No-Li’s existing brewery at 1003 E. Trent Ave., which would remain in operation, Bryant said.

“Our pub will stay where it is at by Gonzaga (University). We will continue to brew, research and develop beer there,” Bryant said. “This will be a supplemental production facility with taproom, tours and outreach into the community that will complement other breweries and bring people to the area.”

Bryant has obtained bank financing for the project, which could cost between $5-$8 million, depending upon the property location and if the facility will be built from the ground up or remodeled from an existing building.

Bryant made the decision to expand after seeing the abundance of community support for No-Li during the coronavirus pandemic.

The facility is a way of giving back to the community by creating a sense of place and spurring economic development in Spokane, he said.

Bryant said a priority is to attract to Spokane more tourists who will stay at area hotels, in addition to visiting No-Li’s production facility and other local breweries.

“If we do this correctly, the craft beer world in Spokane will grow,” he said. “It’s about building a bigger economy in Spokane.”

Although Bryant’s preference is to build the facility in the city, he’s open to expanding his search to include sites within Spokane County.

Bryant is aiming to secure a site this month and build the facility within a year or two.

“Now is the time to do something really positive – to take a risk, take a gamble, but we are betting on something that will be very successful,” he said.