The effort to revitalize downtown South Bend continues with a new brewery opening its doors this weekend. The Notre Dame graduate behind the business says it was important for him to follow his dreams while helping the city that has given him so much.

It is called South Bend Brew Werks and it’s located next to the State Theatre on Michigan Road.

In just two days the owner hopes the picnic tables in front of the business’ doors are full of patrons testing his beer for the first time. Brew Werks is giving a preview on Saturday during the big art walk downtown South Bend. It’s more like a soft open, just to test how things go.

The masterminds behind it are excited to finally get the doors open. The owner has been dreaming of this for several years and he says they will be working until the eleventh hour getting the finishing touches done. Touches from contractors, chefs and perfecting their first official batch of beer.

After they test the waters, they hope to open full time in about two weeks.

As a graduate of Notre Dame, he said it was important for him to help downtown South Bend become the vibrant city he knows it can be.

“I mean when I came to South Bend, I saw this Midwest city with a river running through it. I just pictured there should be beer here. You know in my mind that’s Americana. That’s what should be here…And Mayor Pete has mentioned many times that the metaphor of the downtown is the heart of the city. If the heart isn’t strong than the rest of the body, in this case, the city isn’t strong. So I’d really like to contribute to strengthening that heart,” Andrew Elegante said.

Brew Werks is also offering proceeds of their beer to three entities in the city that will strengthen the entire city. The Music Village, La Casa de Amistad, and Neighborhood Resources Connection, all of which play a part in bringing certain aspects to the South Bend community.

You can log onto their website: www.southbendbrewwerks.com for more information.