Mac’s Local Eats will open a location inside Bluewood Brewing Co.

Editor's note: This article was updated at 2:30 p.m. June 11 with comments from Chris "Mac" McKenzie. 

A St. Louis burger favorite will team up with the city’s latest brewery. Mac’s Local Eats owners Kelly and Chris "Mac" McKenzie will open a second location in upcoming Bluewood Brewing Co. at 1821 Cherokee St. The brewpub is scheduled to debut later this summer.

Mac’s, which opened inside Tamm Avenue Bar in Dogtown in early 2017, has made a name for itself with its smash burgers, while Bluewood has made waves in brewing circles with its wide portfolio of beer styles. 

Bluewood co-owner and head brewer Cameron Lund said he and co-owner Grant Lodholz are longtime Mac’s fans and decided to reach out earlier this year to see if there was a possibility for a partnership.

“It was a long shot, but we figured we’d ask,” Lund said. “Our personalities are an awesome match.”

Read More // STL's favorite burgers span the spectrum from classic to extreme

McKenzie said there were multiple reasons he was interested in partnering with Bluewood.

"They're really awesome people first and foremost," he said. "And I also have an affinity for the space – it's beautiful and historic."

McKenzie said the menu is still a work in progress, but it won't be a mirror image of the bill of fare at the Dogtown location. "There will be some surprises, that's for sure," he said.

Lund said construction is currently underway to expand the space to accommodate a 5-barrel system, and he hopes to have the taps flowing by early August if all goes according to plan. He said there will continue to be several soft opening scheduled before the “official” public debut.

Matt Sorrell is a staff writer at Sauce Magazine.