The acquisition, completed last month, comes after Nocterra shuttered both its Brewery District and Powell locations in August. Land-Grant has already begun brewing Nocterra beer at its Franklinton production facility and plans to distribute it to bars and retailers across Columbus while serving it on tap at the Powell taproom.

Land-Grant co-founder Adam Benner said the company's immediate priority is getting the doors open for the holiday season. The taproom will feature holiday decorations, festive cocktails and heated igloos when it reopens, though an exact date has not been set.

"Nocterra has built something incredibly special in Powell," Benner said in a statement. "They've created more than a lineup of great beers. They've created a community and a destination with an identity all its own."

The Powell taproom will close again in January 2027 for renovations aimed at optimizing and expanding the space. Plans include incorporating elements of Land-Grant's Winter Garden, which debuted at the Franklinton location in 2021, to allow for outdoor activities. It will be the first major overhaul of the space since Nocterra opened its Powell location in 2019.

Benner and co-founder Walt Keys opened Land-Grant's Franklinton brewery at 424 W. Town Street in 2014, later adding a Beer Garden in 2018 and the Winter Garden in 2021. Benner said those years of experience informed the decision to take over the Powell site.

"We've learned a lot over the years about what makes a brewery more than just a place to grab a beer," Benner said. "Through our twelve years in Franklinton, we've seen firsthand how thoughtful spaces, creative programming and unique experiences can bring people together. We're excited to take what we've learned and apply it in Powell, building on what makes Nocterra special while finding new ways to elevate the guest experience."

Keys emphasized that Land-Grant views the acquisition as a continuation rather than a replacement of Nocterra, which was founded by Bruce Vivian and Bryan and Lori Duncan. The company opened a second location at the Scioto Audubon in 2024 before closing both sites this summer.

"Anyone in this industry knows how much passion, dedication and hard work it takes to build a brewery, especially given the challenges our industry has faced in recent years," Keys said. "They've built a brand with a strong identity and a truly loyal community, and we're grateful for the opportunity to carry that forward."

"We aren't looking at this as replacing Nocterra," he added. "We see it as continuing what they started. Nocterra has earned a loyal following because of its beer, its people and the experience it created. We're excited to honor that foundation while bringing new energy, investment and opportunities to the brand and the Powell location."

The acquisition marks a rare expansion for Columbus's craft brewing scene, which has seen several closures in recent years. Land-Grant filed for a liquor license at the Powell location last month, fueling speculation about the deal before this week's announcement.

More information about Land-Grant is available at landgrantbrewing.com, and information about Nocterra can be found at nocterrabrewing.com.