Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
‘AN EXCITING MILESTONE’
Iron Hill Brewery opens full production tap house in Exton
WEST CHESTER » Iron Hill Brewery has opened a full production tap house in Exton, capable of brewing 20,000 barrels of beer annually. The 5,000 square-foot brewpub is Iron Hill’s 19th location.
“Opening the TapHouse is an exciting milestone for Iron Hill including the large-scale production facility,” said Kim Boerema CEO of Iron Hill Brewery. “We can’t think of a better way to enter our 25th year of operations.”
The Exton tap house will be able to brew 19 times more beer than what one of its other brewpubs can brew in a single year. With 24 taps, it can seat up to 200 people – that is, after pandemic-era restrictions end.
Joe Kopke, chief operating officer of Iron Hill, said the chain brewery is focusing on getting its beer on shelves in beer distributors and grocery stores. He said the chain’s goal now is to expand to small taphouses with smaller spaces with onsite brewing. He said between 400 to 500 jobs could be created in the coming years with the expansion.
The firm is opening its first
production brewery as the pandemic created a huge demand for packaged beer, while on-site sales were down significantly.
Kopke said Iron Hill is just as focused on its food as its beer.
“A lot of breweries have food truck setting,” Kopke said. “We have creative intricate menu in which everything on our menu is $13 or less. We have 20 menu items, and everything is made from scratch.”
TapHouse’s opening tap list features six of Iron Hill’s signature beers including Iron Hill Light Lager, Vienna Red™Lager, Pig Iron“Porter, Philly Phavorite, Homesteadä, and Brambleberryä, and a rotating selection of seasonal beers like Reindeer’s Revenge, Spruce Moose IPA, Winter Warmer, Scrooge IPA and Saturday Morningz w/ Blackberry & Lemon.
A selection of nine specialty beers like The Grand Inquisitor, Flavortown IPA, and Dankonia IPA will round out the extensive beer selection. Fourpacks of Iron Hill beer can be purchased to go include Reindeer’s Revenge ($14), Russian Imperial Stout ($17), Philly Phavorite ($13), Kryptonite Double IPA ($14), Sweet Leaf IPA ($12), and Hipster IPA ($13) as well as Rivet Hard Seltzer Mango and Black Cherry ($11.50).
Crowler cans (32 oz.) and growlers (64 oz.) are available for any beer on tap.. A selection of Signature Cocktails including Iron Hill Old Fashioned ($13), Espresso Martini ($12) and, Homestead Peach Shandy ($8). Cans of Alloy Wine Works in 12oz ($14) are available in Pinot Noir, Everyday Red Blend, Everyday Rosé and Chardonnay.
TapHouse will donate $1 from each 3-Alarm Firefighter’s Burger with two patties, smoked gouda, fire roasted poblanos, fried onion strings, fiery chipotle sauce on a toasted potato bun ($12) to the Lionville Fire Company.
Iron Hill has brewpubs in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Georgia. Each Iron Hill boasts its own kitchen and brewery.
The Exton facility is located at 260 Eagleview Blvd at the Shops on Eagleview Boulevard in Exton. The TapHouse is now open for dine in, take-out and delivery. Indoor and outdoor (state mandate and weather permitting) dining hours at the TapHouse are from noon to 9 p.m.Sunday to Thursday, and noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.