CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – It began as a home-brewing operation for Army veteran Josh Romaker, but he’s turned his passion for brewing into his business as owner of The Star Spangled Brewing Company.
In 2017, Romaker was an active-duty Green Beret with Fort Campbell’s 5th Special Forces Group. His retirement was coming up and he was doing a lot of home brewing, so he decided to put his savings together, and Star Spangled Brewing was born.
He had been home brewing at his house in Pleasant View for about 10 years, and he had a great following for his home brew.
Romaker said he traveled around to the craft brewer’s festivals, and soon word spread on social media about his home brew, which he was selling for what he called a suggested donation.
After about six months selling his brew out of the back of his truck, he saved up enough money to make a down payment on the site of Star Spangled Brewery on Progress Drive.
“It was a lot of hard work, but nothing worth having comes easy. You look back and cherish those days. Now, this brewery’s up and running and it does well. We’ve got a great local crowd. It’s such a chill atmosphere. It’s not a bar environment, so families come here,” Romaker said.
About the brewery
Talking about his brews, Romaker said his best-selling beer is his Winchester Bourbon Ale, which is aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels.
Star Spangled Brewing Company is growing, too. Romaker said they have bought another building on Spring Street downtown, and he said they now have the largest brewhouse in Clarksville. The location downtown will be called The Star Spangled Brewery, and the Progress Drive site will be The Star Spangled Tap Room.
“I would like people to understand that Star Spangled is unique to any other brewery in the United States as far as the unapologetic patriotic attitude we take towards everything we do,” Romaker said.
Coming up with his business plan he decided he was going to be himself. After 22 years in the military, 15 of those in Special Forces, he said he wanted the business to be America all the way.
Stop by The Star Spangled Brewing Co. at 1030 Progress Drive, Suite E. You can find out more by messaging them on Facebook or Instagram, visit starspangledbrewingco.com, email info@StarSpangledBrewingCo.com or call 615-398-1237.