It will not be long before Merrittonians can sip on IPAs, lagers and sour beers brewed right here in the Nicola Valley.

Kyle and Kelly Hall are coming close to unveiling their craft micro-brewery — dubbed Empty Keg Brew House — and have pegged mid-April for an official opening.

The pair has already jumped through most of the regulatory hoops and are finishing up the building renovations, co-owner Kyle Hall said.

“It has been a challenge but any of the issues we have run into we have been able to overcome them and [we] really have not had a lot of problems other than lost sleep,” he said with a chuckle. “It would be wonderful to be open for the long weekend [in April], but we want to make sure we are actually ready to make it happen.”

While the opening date is not set in stone, Hall said the brewing is well underway and the pair hopes to have eight beers for the community to sample by opening day.

That day is just around the corner, Hall said, as the entrepreneurs are adding the final touches such as signage and equipment.

Yaki Joe’s, Frank’s Mechanical and the local Subway will soon be joined by a new neighbour. (Dara Hill/Herald).

“We have had super support from Community Futures, from city hall, from council,” he said. “It’s going to be good. I am excited — and I am tired.”