Land-Grant Brewing buys Powell taproom, plans late November reopening

Land-Grant Brewing Company has acquired the Nocterra Brewing Company brand and its taproom in Powell. The new owners plan to reopen the space at 41 Depot St. later this month.

The acquisition follows a sudden closure that left many customers confused. On Aug. 31, Nocterra halted operations at both its Powell and Scioto Audubon locations. Co-founder Bryan Duncan said at the time that the brewery had used up its resources while trying to find a path forward under its existing business structure.

In October, a message on the Nocterra website and a renewed liquor permit for the Powell taproom suggested a new direction was forming. This week, a joint announcement via Instagram confirmed the sale. Land-Grant stated it is bringing together two Central Ohio breweries that share a passion for beer and community spaces.

The company said its immediate goal is to put fresh batches of Nocterra’s popular beers back on taps and shelves throughout the region. A representative for the brewery addressed concerns about rehiring staff who were let go in August. They noted that the former team played a huge role in building the brand. Staffing for the Powell taproom is still being worked out, and open positions will be shared as they become available.

Land-Grant is also planning a larger investment in the Powell property. Renovations are expected to begin in January 2027. The company aims to add its experience in hospitality and creative programming to the taproom. It recognized Nocterra founders Bryan Duncan, Lori Duncan, and Bruce Vivian for the community they built since opening in 2019.

The announcement emphasized that Nocterra will keep its identity and connection to the outdoors. Land-Grant said it is investing in the future of the brand rather than changing it. The statement did not mention the former Scioto Audubon location, where operations also paused in August.