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COLUMBUS–Iron Key Brewing Company in Columbus has launched a new live music series, with performances every Wednesday night from 6-8 p.m. 

 

“The Wednesday performances are a good opportunity to show what an act can bring to a normal night,” says Chris Ballew, a partner in the business. “It has definitely helped Iron Key in Wednesday sales, and the artists for extra exposure.”

Ballew says Wednesday nights give musicians another opportunity to play and they’re easier to book than on weekend nights.

 

Some acts are from Polk County while others come from the Asheville and Greenville-Spartanburg area. Many play both original and cover tunes from a wide variety of genres. 

“The music genres are quite varied,” says Ballew. “We have acts ranging from country, classic rock ‘n’ roll, Americana and rockabilly. We even have one act that promotes himself as jazz banjo.”

Ballew says Wednesday nights are just a start and the brewery hopes to expand to other nights soon.

 

“It is another facet we have always wanted to include since inception,” says Ballew. “We feel this adds to the overall experience of Iron Key as we move forward in our journey.”

Iron Key Brewing Company is housed in an old North Carolina prison. The state built the prison in 1932 and closed it in 1965. One of the three partners in the business purchased it and they transformed it into a brewery, opening in 2020. In addition to craft beer and ciders, Iron Key also serves appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches and other entrees. It’s open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-9:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.