| Mad Chef Craft Brewing 2023 MIller Road | East Petersburg, PA 17520 (717) 690-2655 www.madchefcraftbrewing.com |
After much anticipation, Mad Chef Craft Brewing open its doors to the public on Friday, July 24, 2015. Located on Miller Road in East Petersburg, PA, Man Chef is owned by Greg Kendig and Francisco Ramirez.
The 3,000 square foot brewpub is located in the Village Commons shopping center. Visitors can grab a seat at the bar or relax at one of the tables in the comfortable dining room.
Greg and Francisco look to serve high quality craft beer and simple, yet elegant food in a relaxed environment. Using locally grown products when possible, they hope to combine the culinary arts and craft brewing.
Francisco, an award winning homebrewer, brings years of experience from the food service industry. He is the Chef de Cuisine at Waverly Heights in Gladwyne, PA. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and holds a degree in Business Administration/Finance from the University of Puerto Rico.
Greg, another avid homebrewer, brings decades of manufacturing experience. He holds a degree in Computer Science from Penn State York Campus and a degree in Information Systems from Elizabethtown College. He recently transitioned back to Lancaster, PA this summer to run Mad Chef full time with Francisco.
Francisco is currently brewing on a 7 barrel brewhouse. They look to add a 15 gallon pilot system soon in order to bring new and exciting beers. They plan to include the employees and patrons of Mad Chef when coming up with creative recipes.
The beers currently on tap include…
- F-18 IPA – 6.3% ABV West Coast style IPA named for the 18 pounds of Falconer’s Flight hops from boil to dry hop. Big malty and big hops without the extreme bitterness.
- Spot Hop Pale Ale – 5.8% ABV American Pale Ale named for the hops chosen from the spot hop list that will vary from batch to batch. Current batch was brewed with Azacca and Cascade and then finished with an additional Azacca infusion in our hop back.
- Twisted Wheat – 5.0% ABV American Wheat ale with a dry finish showcasing the abundant use of Amarillo hops. Big notes of lemon, orange and grapefruit from the Amarillo make this a very refreshing and crisp summer session beer.
- Johnnie Doe – 4.4% ABV Light American Lager; a clean, crisp and flavorful light American lager.
- Once Upon a Porter – 4.5% ABV Brown Porter; a session porter, perfect for the summer. Characterized by hints of chocolate, coffee and caramel.
- Twisted Mango Wheat – 5.0% ABV American Wheat ale with an infusion of mango to make it even more twisted.
- Shed Saison – 6.6% ABV Farmhouse style Saison named from being born in the backyard shed during a homebrew session. A dry, spicy Saison brewed with flaked oats, corn and rye. The pepper from the rye is complemented by the lemon from the Sorachi Ace hops making this a unique presentation of the style that is still true to the roots of a Saison.
A standout beer for me was the Johnnie Doe. Although I’m not one to choose a Light American Lager, this one is super tasty and very drinkable. Friend and Mad Chef bartender Dean Pierce agreed that Johnnie Doe is a winner.
Francisco shared with me that the name was inspired by Beer Busters Podcast episode 49 with Andrew Rothacker from Lancaster Community Supported Beer. We referred to the American Lager as the “Nameless Lager,” which turned into John Doe, creating a fitting name for the American Light Lager, Johnnie Doe. I suggested a jalapeño lager named Jane Doe.
I’m looking forward to South of the Border Porter, Francisco’s chocolate Mexican porter, which is expected to be on tap this fall along with other creative, tasty brews.
Don’t just stop in for beer, as the food menu is equally as impressive. The Pommes Frites were delicious. Twice fried to perfection and accompanied by your choice of dipping sauces, you can’t go wrong.
Sauces include Smoky Mayo, Pesto Aioli, Chipotle Aioli, Mad Chef Cheese Sauce, Parmesan Peppercorn, Truffle Ketchup, Ghost Pepper Ketchup, Sweet Chili Sauce, Habanero & Jalapeno Pimento Cheese, and Sweet Mango Chutney Mayo.
Yes, I said Ghost Pepper Ketchup. And it is awesome.
Other starters include the Pickled Vegetable and Olive Platter served with Naan, Hummus Trio, Soft Pretzels with Mad Chef Beer Cheese Sauce, and Chicken and Waffles – a chicken leg prepared to look like an open flower, dredged in seasoned flour and deep fried, served on top of a mini Belgian waffle, hopped honey butter and a drizzle of maple garlic buffalo sauce.
Sandwiches include the German, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Italian, Cuban, Reuben, French Dip Sandwich, and the delicious Portabella Mushroom served with caramelized onions, green peppers and provolone cheese. Sandwiches are served with a side of Citrus Cilantro Jalapeno Slaw.
Try the Chicken and Waffle Platter or the Charcuterie board which includes 4 cheese options and 4 meat options.
For dessert, enjoy the Waffle Sunday with porter chocolate sauce and hop infused crème chantilly. Choose from chocolate, vanilla and butter pecan ice cream from Lapp Valley Farms.
Soda, pink lemonade, sweet and unsweet tea, and coffee are available with free refills.
Wines from Waltz Vineyards, Karamoor Estate Vineyard and Winery, and The Vineyard at Grandview are available as well. A dry hopped cider from Wyndridge Farms is also on tap.
Be sure to stop in to Mad Chef soon and enjoy the brews and food. The staff will make you feel welcome, and the beers will entice you to stick around. Cheers to Francisco and Greg on this new journey.
Mad Chef is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 4 to 10 PM and Friday through Sunday noon to 10 PM.
