Stout Burgers to open Monday on Bardstown

Days away from launching their first restaurant outside of Los Angeles, the owners behind a small West Coast gourmet burger chain have said they already plan to start scouting a second Louisville location while in town for the opening.

Stout Burgers & Beers is scheduled to open Monday at 1604 Bardstown Road, and owners Phil Camino and Charles Lew said they plan to view other possible locations during their visit — though they would not specify where.

"I think it's just a very, very strong emerging market," Lew said by phone. "I think there's a huge appreciation for artisan products, and I believe that there's a very sophisticated palate and culture there. From the past year meeting people, it was just a no-brainer — a great fit, a great market, a great city."

Lew and Camino, through their company Stout Enterprises, announced plans to open Stout locations in Louisville and Nashville earlier this year and quickly moved ahead with the former project, leasing a space owned byLouvinoneighbors Chad and Lauren Coulter and turning it into a spot similar to the brand's three restaurants in L.A., with an almost identical menu and atmosphere.

But the new restaurant will not be without some local nuances, Camino said, such as the addition of Stout'stakeon a Hot Brown and a line of spirits.

"In California, we only havebeerand wine licenses," Camino said. "We will explore artisan bourbon and work to create pairings, integrate spirits into the menu a little bit more. ... If we didn't do bourbon in Louisville, it would probably hurt us. We're trying to understand the local flavor of the market."

In addition to bourbon, Stout will continue its support of the craft beer industry with 30 taps carrying brews from across the state and nation.

The company employs Joey Anderson as a full-time beer scout, who visits breweries nationwide and internationally to select the best lineup of beers for each restaurant, and Lew said he will be responsible for choosing beers for the Louisville location, ideally including at least five local brews at any given time.

The taps will also feature hard to find beers, such as those that are limited releases, Lew said.

"You'll see a brewery come out and say, 'We have this extremely rare keg, there are only fivekegsfor the entireU.S.,'" Lew said. "We've developed relationships over the last couple years that we're able to get those extraordinarily rare kegs."

Lew and Camino said they are working with local investors to open the Louisville restaurant, and they hope to use the city as a hub for further expansion, in both the immediate area and similar nearby markets.

"We have our A-team over there right now, it makes sense to do another location," Lew said. "... We're not going to revolutionize food, it's still a hamburger and beer at the end of the day. But we can add something to that local scene and grow from there."

Remember to drink smart, drinksafe. Reporter Kae Holloway contributed to the report. Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at (502) 582-4646. Follow her on Twitter at @bloosemore.

STOUT BURGERS & BEERS

The L.A.-based restaurant will open Monday with a menu of gourmet burgers and 30 craft beers.

Where: 1604 Bardstown Road

When: 11:30 a.m.-midnight daily

More info: Visit www.stoutburgersandbeers.com