At this new library-themed brewery in Pasco, you can sip Stephen King beer

DADE CITY — There’s no loud televisions or clattering Jenga sets at the Athenaeum Brew Lounge. Instead, you’ll find soft music, quiet board games and a whole lot of books.

The library-themed microbrewery, which opened in downtown Dade City two months ago, is a bookworm’s paradise. Everything in the business has a literary spin, from the lending library to the beers brewed on-site.

Rotating selections include the “Beach Read,” a light, crushable lager made to be devoured on hot summer days. There’s a “RedRum” red ale and “The Dark Tower” Munich dunkel, nods to Stephen King. A “Kolshhh” to honor the battle cry of librarians everywhere.

Wesley Chapel couple Andria and Chris Roscart, 42 and 45, visited over 200 breweries before starting their own. Andria Roscart was inspired by her own experiences as a remote worker for nine years.

“I always wished there was a place where I could go sit with my laptop, have a craft beer and get some work done,” she said. “I’ve always been a big reader and I married into a family of readers.”

The couple was still drafting a business plan when Chris Roscart saw a listing for a 104-year-old property in the heart of downtown Dade City. The vintage details, like the original tile floor, drew them in.

“Especially people who have been in Dade City forever are very grateful and have loved what we’ve done with the space to bring back the original brickwork,” Andria Roscart said.

The Roscarts hope to host book clubs and literary events in their space. There are already two book launches planned for local authors in September. They started a “Get Lit Mug Club” membership and plan to bring in food trucks for Sunday open mics, when other downtown businesses are closed.

The couple brought in Simon Brooks as the head brewer and third co-owner. Brooks, 45, works in biomedical equipment repairs, but has been a home brewer and member of the Pasco Brewers Guild for years.

“I love to emulate flavors in beer that don’t necessarily come from the place where you’d think,” he said. “When you get fruit and orange flavors from hops and yeast, or chocolate, coffee and caramel from barley.”

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Brooks is behind concoctions like the Dade City Tang, a sparkling citrus Kölsch that uses puree from local kumquats. The beer is offered seasonally and nods to Dade City’s annual kumquat festival.

“There’s so many homes and apartments and people coming to this area,” Brooks said. “Something that Dade City has to offer is a true uniqueness and we really hope it translates to our success.”

In addition to Brooks’ beers, the Athenaeum Brew Lounge offers pours from breweries around the state. Andria Roscart tries to stay away from drinks that people can find easily in nearby Tampa, instead opting for brews from Jacksonville, Miami and Orlando.

Recent finds include the “Tupac ShaPorter” from Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company in Orlando and a “Butterbeer” brown ale from If I Brewed the World in St. Petersburg.

She picks based on the name — the more puns and literary references, the better.

If you go

The Athenaeum Brew Lounge, also known as the ABL, is located on 14135 Seventh St. in Dade City. The microbrewery is open Tuesday-Sunday. Hours vary throughout the week. For more information, visit abl.beer.