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Listermann Brewing Co. has a new brewer -- and a whole new brand, too. Kevin Moreland, a homebrewer and former beer buyer in northern Kentucky, has taken over the brewing operation at Listermann and will be launching Triple Digit Brewing Co. next week. The plan, Moreland said, is to focus on selling Triple Digit in the Cincinnati and northern Kentucky market. The Listermann brand -- with reformulated recipes -- still will be available at the brewery and Listermann homebrew shop. He described Triple Digit as "a boutique-style brewery" that focuses on high gravity ales and lagers. The name refers to specific gravity.

"We want to do odd stuff that a lot of breweries aren't doing on a regular basis," Moreland said. The first Triple Digit beer -- Gravitator-Double Bock -- will be available on draft during Cincinnati's Bockfest. Moreland said it's a malty, strong German-style lager with a big bready character and 9.8 percent alcohol. Triple Digit beers will be available on draft and in 22-ounce bottles. The first two packaged products are Volume One, a Belgian-style tripel and Aftermath, a Scottish-style wee heavy. They are set to be released in late March.  The beers will be self-distributed in Ohio and by Chas. Seligman Distributing in Kentucky. Moreland also said he plans to release small batches of barrel-aged beer throughout the year. "It's been exciting," he said. "You're going to see a lot of good things from us."

Meanwhile, Listermann/Triple Digit -- which also is producing the Quaff Bros. line for the Party Source -- plans to open a tasting room in late March. People will be able to purchase growlers at the brewery. The plan is to have five or six brews on tap, Moreland said.