A Brewgarden of Natural Delights

Take a drive along Union Boulevard in Englewood, and across from Centennial Park you’ll stumble upon a hidden treasure. Full Circle Brewgarden, located at 324 Union Boulevard, drew their first mug of craft draft in September of 2023. Since then, the locally-owned microbrewery has built a nice customer base by offering something different than the usual beer and pretzels. It’s the brainchild of owners Franz and Dawn Kirchner, who had something specific in mind. 

“We knew we wanted to go into business together at some point, but we didn’t know what that would be,” Dawn said. “Franz always enjoyed brewing craft beers, and I brewed Kombucha. One night, we said we wished we could do this all the time. I’m originally from Englewood, and my parents still live here. We started looking for a location, one that had plenty of outdoor space that we could convert into a garden.”

Both Dawn and Franz have day jobs, and coincidentally, they’re both in professions that emphasize sustainability and recycling. This work ethic carried over when they decided to open a microbrewery. Hence the name Full Circle. 

“We wanted a building we could transition into a new life, not one that had to be built from the ground up,” Dawn said. “The location was ideal, and it was a blank slate. A lot of what we do is grounded in sustainability, so a lot of our furniture and art are reclaimed. Most of the décor was also repurposed. We’re very mindful of the environment.”

This environmental awareness impacts the products they offer. “The flavors we use in the beers and tea are real and natural, no extracts. I make sure all the tea is organic, and we try to be mindful of where our ingredients come from,” Dawn said.

The brewery serves a diverse selection of beverages, and their customers have made Circular Haze IPA and Hefeweizen very popular. Since the same beers aren’t always on tap, there’s something different to try whenever you come in. Unlike a lot of area breweries, Full Circle’s products are not sold in retail stores. In addition to a rotating selection of craft beers, they feature herbal teas and Kombucha. 

“Kombucha is essentially fermented tea,” Dawn said. “Preparing it is kind of like making sourdough or sauerkraut. We start with sweet tea, add the culture, and let it ferment for about two weeks. We have hot tea as well, and mulled cider. We usually have non-alcoholic hot cider on cold days. We serve pre-packaged snack items, but people can bring in their own food. They appreciate that for dietary reasons. Not everyone wants a hamburger. Food trucks are brought in for warm weather events, but they’re kind of dormant this time of year.”

Full Circle maintains a full slate of activities each month. Examples of recent and upcoming events include Friday Night Sushi, Sexy Science Trivia, Sip & Stitch with Yarnies and Swag, a collaboration with Blue Bus Coffee Roasters that lets people sample their coffees, and a monthly Plant-Based Potluck Carry-in. That last one has become popular.

“On the third Sunday of every month, we have people bring in a plant-based dish to show how you can incorporate plant-based foods into your diet,” Dawn said. “It’s been a great way for people to learn some new recipes. We also had a special New Year’s Eve countdown, Midnight in Germany, with the ball drop at 6:00 p.m. Last year on Super Bowl Sunday, we had a Superb Owl party in conjunction with Glen Helen Nature Center. We held it early in the afternoon so people could come in, then go somewhere else to watch the game. The Center brought in some owls for people to see, then talked about them. It was a very popular family event. We’re planning something for Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, and Trivia on the first Sunday of every month, with different themes. We’re also part of the Dayton Ale Trail. 

“In the summer, we’ll open up the patio and garden areas and offer tours of the garden. With warm weather coming up, we’re looking forward to more outdoor activities. People can bring food and their dogs, as long as the dogs are on a leash. We’ll also have food trucks available for some events.” 

One only has to spend a few minutes in the rustic-themed tap room (without the distraction of big-screen TVs on the walls) to relax and feel at home, something the Kirchners hoped to achieve. 

“One of the biggest things we wanted to create was a warm, welcoming feeling,” Dawn said. “A lot of people tell us they feel comfortable in here because it’s like hanging out in someone’s living room. People have forged relationships by crossing paths with people they’ve never met, and other customers will meet up with friends here. We have families who come in to play games, and we have a wide selection for them to choose from. We like to provide a place where people can come to relax, converse, and have a good time. Take some time off from the world and get away from things. It’s quiet here.” 

Full Circle Brewgarden is located at 324 Union Boulevard, Englewood. For a schedule of events and other news, visit their Facebook page.