This top Tri-Cities brewery is set to open a new pub and kitchen along the Columbia riverfront
A Tri-Cities brewery is getting a prime new location near the Columbia riverfront.
Baan Khun Ya Thai in Richland closed earlier this year, leaving vacant their longtime Howard Amon Park-front location. Now Moonshot Brewing is taking over.
Moonshot, which is owned by Tri-Cities couple Ryan Wattenbarger and Hilary Bird, has been open for just a few years, but has quickly become a Tri-Cities favorite.
Their brewery opened in 2019 at the corner of Steptoe Street and Gage Boulevard, right on the boundary between Richland and Kennewick.
Since opening, they’ve managed to top multiple polls for Herald readers’ favorite brewery.
New location
The new location at the corner of George Washington Way and Lee Boulevard is just steps away from Howard Amon Park.
They’ll be on the east side of the building, behind Amethyst Creamery.
The new location will feature a full kitchen, seating for 30 people inside and 60 outside during patio weather. And the patio will be dog friendly.
Wattenbarger told the Herald that they had been looking to expand for a while, when a farmer who they sell spent grain to told them that he had bought the building and was looking for a new tenant.
Spent grain from breweries has a variety of uses ranging from chicken feed and compost to bread baking.
In fact, some of Moonshot’s grain was used earlier this year by Ethos Bakery to make a limited run bread to help raise money for Ukrainian refugees.
Moonshot plans to have 10 favorite beers on tap, as well as cider and wine.
Wattenbarger said the food menu will include pub favorites and mac and cheese. They’re hoping to open the new Richland spot in December.
Those missing Baan Khun Ya could be in luck. In response to a question on social media, Moonshot indicated the owners of the Thai eatery are looking to open a food truck that could be parked nearby.
Moonshot’s original brewery at will remain open, and continue to host the trivia and events customers love, at 8804 W. Victoria Ave., Suite 130. The new location address is 94 Lee Blvd., across the street from the Dugout Bar & Grill.
Moonshot is known for their creative beers, including their Sagittarius flagship IPA, Ophi lager, Dress Rehearsal Spice Apple Cider Beer and more.
This story was originally published October 26, 2022 at 5:20 PM.
