Andrew Hroza Joins Ninkasi Brewing as its Executive Chef at Ninkasi Better Living Room Restaurant

In early 2020, Ninkasi Brewing will open a new restaurant on the grounds of its brewery campus in Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood. To lead this new restaurant named Ninkasi Better Living Room will be Executive Chef Andrew Hroza.

Prior to his new position at Ninkasi Brewing, Chef Hroza opened WarPigs, the collaboration project from 3 Floyds Brewing and Mikkeller in Copenhagen, Denmark. He also spent time in Chicago as the Executive Chef at Goose Island Brewing for the better part of a decade.

Ninkasi Better Living Room will offer locally sourced food of the Willamette Valley in the on the ground floor of the Ninkasi Admin Building that’s located at 155 Blair Blvd. in Eugene. This new restaurant will replace the current Ninkasi Tasting Room.

Here are additional details from today’s press release from Ninkasi Brewing…

“This isn’t your typical brewpub,” said Chef Hroza. “Craft beer drinkers are looking for their palettes to be challenged. They want interesting flavors, so our menu will offer that.” Hroza is currently building partnerships with local producers to craft his unique flavors. “Ninkasi’s love of producing high-quality beer really shows. I’m building relationships with people who are just as excited about their craft.” The menu is currently under development, but Chef Hroza describes his style as “elegant rustic” and will play off the “Better Living Room” theme with food reminiscent of home entertainment-style dishes, but elevated.

Before the grand opening of the Ninkasi Better Living Room, Hroza will be showcasing his cuisine in several local pop-up dinners around Eugene. The first will take place at Party Downtown on Tuesday, December 10th. More details on reservations and additional pop-up dates will be announced soon.

Le Cordon Blue-trained Chef Andrew Hroza joins Ninkasi after opening Warpigs for Three Floyd’s and Mikkeller in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2014. Prior to Warpigs, Hroza served as Executive Chef for Goose Island Brewing for nearly a decade. His restaurants have received numerous recognitions, including The White Guide’s “Best New Brewpub/Restaurant” for Warpigs in 2015, where he received a consecutive 4-star rating from Politikan Copenhagen. Hroza is dedicated to zero waste in his kitchen, having established a whole animal program during his stint as Chef Liaison for Slow Foods Chicago and reduced Mikkeller restaurants’ carbon footprint during his time in Copenhagen.

Chief Experience Officer Sarah Johnson promises the dining experience will reflect the unique food Chef Andrew Hroza is envisioning. “We’re inviting people into our space, our living room,” said Johnson. “For the past 13 years, we’ve brought our experience to people around the region. We’re excited to welcome our community into our own, unique space.”

The Ninkasi Better Living Room will open in early 2020 (exact date TBA) on the ground floor of the Ninkasi Admin Building at 155 Blair Blvd. Eugene, OR 97402. This new experience will replace the current Ninkasi Tasting Room, located just one block away.