Rotating Taproom Opening Second Location in Jefferson Park

In the summer of 2022, Weston Scott brought a different kind of beer-centric taproom to 2301 East 28th Avenue in the Skyland neighborhood. Ephemeral Roating Taphouse has a name that reflects the ever-changing behind-the-bar selection, but the concept itself has proven it has staying power.

Now, Scott is doubling down, with a second location set to open this spring in a former hair salon at 2855 West 25th Avenue in the Jefferson Park neighborhood.

At the original Ephemeral, the taps are taken over by a different guest brewery from outside the state every month or so, until the beer runs out. Since its debut, Ephemeral has hosted over fifty breweries.

The second location will have a slightly different name, Ephemeral Tap & Bottle, which reflects its focus on its take-out beers. Both locations will have carry-out beers, but the Jefferson Park location will have a larger selection. “We’re doubling down on to-go stuff more than I have in the current location,” Scott says. “It’ll be a cross between a taproom and a liquor store.” But the to-go options will only include beer and wine from the visiting and local breweries.

The new Ephemeral will look and feel similar to the first, but Scott doesn’t plan to replicate it exactly. The vibe, he says, will be lighter and brighter than the original spot, with similar snacks. Each location will host its own rotation of visiting breweries, though Scott expects a few taps will overlap each month. He may also partner with wineries as well as breweries at the second location.

Another difference: the Jefferson Park location won’t host food trucks like the original does, since there are numerous nearby restaurants for patrons to order takeout from, such as the new Santo Remedio location and a Sexy Pizza across the street.

The new spot will also host events similar to those at the original, including fun runs, run clubs, sports watch parties and trivia nights. “We’re going to bring all the events over and see what Jeff Park is into,” Scott notes.

The goal is to open in March, but Scott says he’s hit some roadblocks with the city’s permitting department. Finding the location involved a bit of kismet. Scott always planned to expand, but wasn’t actively looking for a second spot. He passed the storefront after visiting the neighborhood, and thought, “It’s perfect for us,” he recalls.

The building is similar to the home of the original Ephemeral off York Street, with an entrance facing the corner of an intersection. Scott says it even did business as a grocery store in the 1930s or 1940s, a history that’s reminiscent of the first location, which housed Ben’s Super Market before Ephemeral moved in.

Scott opened the original taproom with Shannon Lavelle, who left the business in 2024 after moving out of state. Since opening Ephemeral Rotating Taphouse, he partnered with a number of investors to buy Baere Brewing Company at 320 Broadway in 2023. Recently, he opened El Piñon, a cafe and bar located in the newly remodeled La Vista Motel at 5500 East Colfax Avenue. For the new Ephemeral spot, he’s partnering with an old friend, Mike Foster, who lives in the Jefferson Park neighborhood.

Ephemeral Tap & Bottle will be located at 2855 West 25th Avenue and will be open from 2 to 11 p.m. daily beginning after its March debut. For more information, visit ephemeraljeffpark.com.