NEWPORT, Ky. — Northern Kentucky University Department of Athletics and Braxton Brewing Company have reached a partnership through Norse Sports Properties, a Learfield Sports property. This local partnership will lead to the creation of the Braxton Beer Garden at BB&T Arena and Norse Pale Ale.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to team up with Northern Kentucky University –an institution so close to home for our entire company,” said Jake Rouse, Co-Founder and CEO at Braxton Brewing Company. “Norse Pale Ale is a bright citrus forward pale ale that is sure to be a fan favorite and there’s no better place to enjoy it than the newly constructed Braxton Beer Garden right in BB&T Arena!”
The Covington, Kentucky-based craft brewing company is creating a craft beer garden inside BB&T Arena, home of Norse men’s and women’s basketball. Fans will be able to enjoy Braxton’s brews in the newly created Braxton Beer Garden, located in the Valhalla veranda on the south end of the bowl, which also features a bar created from empty bourbon barrels in which Braxton aged beer, several high-definition televisions, and Braxton imagery throughout. The Braxton Beer Garden will be open for both NKU Men’s and Women’s and University of Cincinnati Men’s home basketball games during the 2017-18 season.
While Braxton’s craft beers will be served in the beer garden, lovers of both Norse Athletics and craft beer can also enjoy the Norse Pale Ale, an American Pale Ale brewed specifically in celebration of this partnership.
This beer will be tapped at Dickmann’s Sports Cafe following NKU’s game versus Urbana this Saturday, November 4th. The beer will be $3 for a pint and $8 for a pitcher all season long.
Admission to the beer garden is free. SAVOR, the foodservice and catering branch of SMG Facilities, will provide food for purchase in the space as well.
“In my previous experience, both in restaurants and concessionaires at local venues, I’ve not witnessed a partnership come together quite as unique as this one,” said Brandon Ward, Director of Food and Beverages with SAVOR. “Braxton has truly stamped a solid footprint in our local craft beer community. SAVOR is excited to be the exclusive provider of food and beverage at BB&T Arena at NKU. We look forward to pouring Norse fans a Norse Pale Ale, and are happy that Braxton was able to quickly develop an approachable craft style that any drinker can enjoy!”
The Braxton Beer Garden opens in conjunction with the Northern Kentucky men’s and women’s basketball exhibition games on Nov. 4. Norse women’s basketball hosts Asbury College at noon before the men’s team tips off with Urbana University at 2:30 p.m.
In addition to Norse men’s and women’s basketball games, the Braxton Beer Garden will also be open at select events held within BB&T Arena.