Owners Kenny Hodge and Joseph Turner describe both a serendipitous string of events and an at-times trying journey as they recount the launch and subsequent first half-decade of Angry Fish, which opened as Lexington’s first commercial brewery in 2018.

The two began brewing at home before moving into their current location at 106 Fabrister Lane (behind Luce’s Italian Restaurant) five years ago. 

The serendipity came in the way they found their building.

“Richland County made it tough,” Hodge said of the duo’s search for a location. “We actually found this [building] on Craigslist. A week after Christmas, we checked it out. It was a distillery before.”

Getting ready for their opening in May 2018 took long hours of prep work and painting. There are still long hours, with weekend brew days starting at 5 a.m., but they’re at home in their location.

The partners plan on staying at their current spot for the foreseeable future, but they are expanding out back with a biergarten, which will allow more space for people and dogs to hang out. They are also very close to having their first beer served at a restaurant in a couple of weeks.

Both owners admit they have very high standards for their beer.

“We always take a lot of pride in being meticulous. We want the end product to be something someone can say, ‘D---, that’s good,” Hodge said.

They enjoy making versions of the beer styles they like, the duo explained.

“We like to be true to the style that’s on board,” said Hodge. 

They typically have 12 beers on tap, but for their five-year anniversary event June 10, they will have some extra specials they’re toying around with. They’ll also have a food truck, the Tobacco in Tow mobile cigar lounge and entertainment to celebrate the journey thus far. 

The friendship that sparked Angry Fish developed over many beer-filled conversations, with the idea eventually striking them that they could make brewing their profession.

“I always say Joe brought me kicking and screaming but we have had a good time,” Hodge joked. 

In the early days, they easily put in a 40-hour work week at the brewery on top of their day jobs, which they still have.

They started brewing separately in their homes and teamed up to see what they could do together around 2014.

“[Joseph] looked at me and said, ‘Let’s try two different beers,’” said Hodge. Eventually, they tried some double batching, and at one point, they were brewing four beers a day at home.

As to why they wanted to pursue brewing professionally, that’s simple

“‘You can work for someone or be your own boss,’” Turner said, recounting some friendly advice that stuck with him.

“We’ve had a good time,” Hodge said. “Even with a changeover in the [brewing] system, it’s still the same beer every time.”

The pair eventually brought on Steven Burns to run the bar, propelling Angry Fish forward as a three-man operation. They have fun coming up with names for the beers and hanging out with the people who support them. 

Even during the pandemic, Hodge said the community was good to them.

“This community wanted to make sure we stayed,” said Hodge. “It was a challenge though.”