Sidney Hale stands in the back room with paintings of several family crests on the walls at McHale's Brewhouse on Ashland Terrace. It is a family operation with heritage from Scotland, according to Hale.* Name: McHale's Brewhouse
* Location: 724 Ashland Terrace
* Products/services: Owner Sidney Hale will offer craft beers and authentic Scots-Irish meals to customers at an "authentic and smoky Irish Pub," at the former location of T-Roy's Roadhouse. With a completely renovated decor, and beer brewing and tasting onsite, customers will have a variety of choices. Brewmaster Adam Hale will offer 60 different total beers, including three to four brewed in a side room. Excess mash will be used to make bread. The 4,000-square-foot facility can seat under 100, with seating for about a dozen at the bar.
* Age: Opened Dec. 27
* Startup investment: $140,000
* Target market: Professionals 25 and up
* Biggest hurdle: Getting the required permits and licenses has been a hurdle, especially a license to brew and serve beer on premises, said Ted Lindsey, general manager.
* Biggest reward: Having the opportunity to offer a Scots-Irish experience to residents in Red Bank and North Chattanooga.
* Challenges in the future: Dealing with a proposed rule to require building owners to install sprinkler systems could be expensive and disruptive, Lindsey said.
* Lesson learned: It's important to allow extra time to obtain permits and licenses, he said.
* Employees: Nearly 15
* Smoking: Yes
* Five-year goal: Gaining a reputation as an authentic Irish pub with unique beers, good food and fun times
-- Compiled by staff writer Ellis Smith, esmith@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6315.