Crank Arm has operated for about two years, providing rickshaw service in downtown Raleigh. But all along, the Crank Arm founders have wanted more: to open to a brewery and pub. Crank Arm is now near its goal of opening a 7-barrel system brewery this spring at 319 West Davie Street in the Raleigh Warehouse District.
The jump from rickshaws to brewery may seem like a stretch, but the founders have solid credentials to expand Crank Arm into the micro-brew arena. In particular, founder Michael Morris is a 4-time Great American Beer Festival (GABF) winner and previously worked at other local breweries, including (a Raleigh Citizen favorite) Big Boss Brewing Company.
All three founders – Mike Morris, Adam Eckhardt, and Dylan Selinger – are committed to beer, cycling and the local Raleigh community. Their local beer distribution system includes (naturally) rickshaws and a vegetable oil-powered pickup truck. They have been putting a lot of own money and sweat equity into the Crank Arm expansion. But, recently Crank Arm turned to a very cutting edge method of raising capital to finalize their opening: kickstarter . Their goal is to raise $35,000 by February 17, 2013; they are currently very close to meeting this goal.
To commemorate the end of the kickstarter project, Crank Arm is holding a beer tasting and food truck rodeo on Sunday, February 17 from 3 to 6 pm. Crank Arm Brewing will be pouring the White Wall Wit (Belgian yeast, American hops). Oak City Cycling Project, a full service bike shop located at 212 East Franklin Street in Raleigh, a will host the event.