Crowded Castle Joins the Growing List of Breweries in Phoenixville, PA

Phoenixville, PA is becoming quite the hotspot for craft beer. The Foodery, a popular Philadelphia-based bottle shop, opened at 325 Bridge Street in April 2017, and Conshohocken Brewing Company just announced a location coming to the former home of Heidi Sue’s Variety Store on Bridge Street later this year.

Iron Hill Brewery, Sly Fox Brewing Company, and Stable 12 Brewing Company have been serving locals for a while, Root Down Brewing Company is in the works, and Crowded Castle Brewing Company just opened the doors last week.

Crowded Castle Brewing Company is owned by a group of 10 friends and family members that share a love of homebrewing and craft beer. The group brewed together since 2011 under the name “W5 Craft Brew” before deciding to open Crowded Castle.

The taproom features a U-shaped bar and plenty of seating with both low and high-top tables and even a comfortable couch by the TV. The space is accented with a stone wall, exposed ductwork, copper ceiling, and modern lighting.

Head brewer Mark Sofio brews on a seven and a half barrel brew system. There are currently 5 beers on tap, but the plan is to offer 12 different beers on tap.

• Le Citron Saison – 6.5% ABV saison flavored with citrus and lemongrass
• Maibock Is Killing Me – 6.6% ABV malty spring beer with bock yeast
• Steel Mill Pilsner – 4.5% ABV Bohemian style golden pilsner with noble hops
• Captain Imperial IPA – 7.1% ABV imperial IPA hopped with Cascade, Centennial, and Columbus
• Amarillo Belle IPA – 6.5% ABV IPA with Amarillo hops for a bright citrus flavor and nose

I was especially happy to see a pilsner on the list, and it did not disappoint. One of the owners shared that a red ale, a shandy, and more lagers are expected to be on tap in the future.

Beers are available in 8 or 16-ounce pours, or you can do a flight of 4 beers of your choice for $8. Beers can also be purchased to go in 32-ounce crowlers or 64-ounce glass growlers.

In addition to beer, local Pennsylvania wine and cider are available, as well as canned soda and water, sparkling lemonade, and bottled iced tea.

There are a few food options served on site including taproom mix, hot pretzels with mustard, hot dogs or sausages with sauerkraut and/or diced onions. Food is also available for delivery from Franco’s Ristorante and Vecchia Wood Fired Pizzeria Napoletana.

There is plenty of merchandise available for purchase including short and long-sleeved shirts, hooded sweatshirts, hats, stickers, and glassware.

The taproom is currently open Wednesday and Thursday 5 to 9 PM, Friday 3 PM to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday 2 to 8 PM.

brewery, Crowded Castle Brewing Company, Mark Sofio, Pennsylvania, Phoenixville, W5 Craft Brew