Jarfly Brewing Co. sees growth beyond taproom

Somerset’s first craft brewery is experiencing growth beyond its local taproom, after only six months of operation.

Jarfly Brewing Company’s hand-crafted beers are being served in restaurants and at bars across Eastern Kentucky. The locally owned small business began regional distribution of some of its most popular craft beers in February.

Owners Del Stephens and Daniel Stroud say it’s all part of their business plan and in keeping with their target goal from the very beginning.

“We’ve been really fortunate to have a lot of amazing patrons supporting what we’re doing since opening last summer,” Stephens said. “Our taproom has given people a great way to experience Jarfly and get to know what we’re all about. Now we are excited to provide more people across the region a chance to experience our beers.”

Perry Distributors, based in Hazard, Ky., is handling Jarfly’s distribution for the Eastern Kentucky region. General Manager Jeff Sandlin said he is proud to work with small craft breweries, like Jarfly, to meet an increased customer demand for craft beer.

“The craft beer industry has really taken off in the past three to four years, and we – as a large distributor – want to recognize and help as many small breweries as possible,” Sandlin said. “Craft beer consumers are samplers, so we try to provide them as many different samples as we can. It’s a good day to be in the beer industry, and we are glad to be working with Jarfly Brewing Co. and other small craft breweries across the state.” Old Town Grill offers Jarfly beer on tap at all of its Kentucky stores: London, Corbin, Berea and Somerset (opening soon). Dino’s, in London, carries the Baxters Coffee Stout. In Hazard, you can find Jarfly brews at Joes Sub Station in Jeff, Ky. and at the Sky Bridge Station at Pine Ridge in Wolfe County. Coming soon, Jarfly beverages will be on tap at a couple of Pikeville’s best restaurants, according to Ron Combs, with Perry Distributors.

“Jarfly Brewing Company is proud to re-open the doors of this historic downtown retail hub and begin a new tradition devoted to a traditional craft – brewing local beer,” said Stroud.

“Craft beer is made with the union of traditional ingredients like malted barley, hops, water and yeast. At Jarfly Brewing, we’re expanding these traditions and fermenting distinctive flavors that satisfy the thirsts of our customers while challenging their ideas of how good a beer can be.”

In the end, the young entrepreneurs know it’s all about the product they sell. Beginning with a couple of well-developed and tested handcrafted beers, Stephens and Stroud have worked to create a wide variety of locally crafted beers and offer a number of guest taps featuring other Kentucky breweries.

Back home in Somerset, they’ve developed a number of successful social media campaigns to keep customers’ interest and local customers coming back. The campaign called “Jarfly Loves” consistently gives back to the community. They open the first Wednesday (a day normally closed) each month to support a local, worthy cause. Patrons are encouraged to donate to the featured charity, and bartenders volunteer their time with 100 percent of their tips going toward the charity.