Excitement is brewing in downtown Suffolk for the first brewery in Suffolk, which aims to open by next St. Patrick’s Day.

Dave Stacknick and Scott Siebert have been home brewing for years and decided to start a commercial brewery together. They know each other through being volunteer firefighters together.

“It’s been a breeze to go through,” Stacknick said of the process of getting everything set up for the brewery. He said the city was very welcoming and eager to work with him.

Stacknick is a full-time student at Old Dominion University, majoring in mechanical engineering. Siebert works at Keurig Green Mountain.

Siebert, a Holland native, has been brewing at home since he was 15 years old. The bug bit Stacknick more recently — about five years ago. Stacknick is from Pennsylvania but came here with the U.S. Navy. He left active duty in 2013 and is still a reservist.

Now, they’re making their dreams a reality.

“We took our dreams and made them brick and mortar,” Siebert said.

That’s how they got the name — Brick & Mortar Brewing Co.

It will be located at 212 E. Washington St., next door to Suffolk Police Department’s First Precinct office. The building is owned by Rob Barclay, who’s also part owner of the business. Dave Tuinch, along with Siebert’s wife Jennifer and Stacknick’s wife Rachel, are also part owners.

Stacknick and Siebert come up with their own recipes.

“I just kind of wing it and hope for the best,” Stacknick said.

They will tend to favor ales and lagers to stock the taps at Brick & Mortar.

“We want to dedicate half of our taps to ales and lagers,” Stacknick said.

One flavor they’ve already developed is Peanut City Porter, which they compare to a black IPA. They said it features a peanut flavor finishing off with a dark chocolate flavor.

“It’s a well-rounded, complex flavor,” Stacknick said. It will be on tap year-round.

The flavors are “European styles modified to complement the American palate,” Stacknick said.

The building will feature a tasting room, a private room for rentals and outdoor seating. Customers will be able to purchase flights and growlers. Selling kegs might also be in the works, although that would come several months after opening.

They hope to open on St. Patrick’s Day next year and are developing a special brew or two for the event. They may also have some soft openings prior to the holiday.

Stacknick and Siebert hope there will be room to expand in the future. They already are eyeing neighboring buildings, they said.

“Hopefully, it draws some people from outside Suffolk,” Siebert said.