Opening weekend. The Flyers-Bruins game is playing on the two flat screens on opposite walls of the tap room. The industrial overhead door is open to a deck off the back of the brewery letting in loads of sunlight. The beer list looks long and inviting. This is going to be a good day.
Conshohocken Brewing Company was founded on the American industrial spirit of the local area. In the late 19th century, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania was an industrial hub. The brewery’s logo, which includes a velocipede bicycle and a cyclist in a bowler hat, pays homage to this spirit.
The brewery opened on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 on East Elm Street in Conshohocken, PA. The on site taproom is open seven days a week offering beer and food, growlers to go, and brewery gear including t-shirts, hoodies and pint glasses.
When you arrive at the brewery, patrons are encouraged to park at the large Quaker Chemical lot just past the intersection of East Elm and Sandy Streets. It is just a short block walk to the entrance to the brewery.
Upon entering the brewery, you walk down a hallway with large windows offering a view of the brewing equipment. I walked very slowly admiring the brewing space like a kid in a candy store.
At the end of the hallway is a large, open tasting room with a bar that seats a dozen and table seating for about 40 people.
The deck off the back of the brewery offers views of the Schuylkill River trail and the train tracks. Many visitors were outside enjoying brews and the gorgeous April weather.
All of their beers are brewed in small batches, allowing for innovative, fresh, high quality beers. There were ten different beers listed on the chalkboard menu. The beers come in 4 ounce pours for $1.25, 8 ounce pours for $2.50, and 16 ounce pours for $5. Growler fills come in at $14. A new glass growler with their logo costs $5 and a new Hydroflask growler with their logo costs $45. Despite being crowded, no one seemed to wait too long for a beer.
Needless to say, I was excited to see the pour options and the affordable prices. I sampled 6 of the beers during my visit and honestly enjoyed every single one of them. The spring ale, a truly sessionable beer coming in at 3.6% ABV, was crisp and refreshing. The 4.8% ABV pale ale was clean and easy to drink; a beer I would order again and again. The 6% ABV ESB was malt forward and enjoyable.
I especially enjoyed their stouts. The 4.5% ABV Feine Espresso Stout had loads of wonderful coffee flavor. I think I actually made an excited “mmmmm!” sound when I took my first sip. The 4.9% ABV oatmeal stout also had great flavor.
For your non-beer drinking friends there are $5 glasses of red and white wines available. A small, yet delicious looking food menu includes Bavarian soft pretzels, hummus with pitas, cream of asparagus soup, beef chili, vegetarian chili, and chips with salsa.
The head brewer, Andrew Horne, is a graduate of Villanova University. He has brewed for Yards Brewing Company in Philadelphia, Avery Brewing Company in Boulder, Colorado, and Breakside Brewery in Portland, Oregon.
The co-founders of Conshohocken Brewing Company recruited him to return to the Philadelphia area to brew for them. Apparently Andrew isn’t much of a talker, but he will chat about beer, heavy metal, ice hockey, and pit bills.
Charlie Tarloski, another brewer, was previously a cellarman for Weyerbacher Brewing Company in Easton, PA. He also worked with Harpoon Brewing in Boston and Victory Brewing in Downingtown, PA. He comes with experience on the bottling line, in the quality lab and in the cellars. His love for beer can be traced all the way back to a 7th grade science fair project.
The co-founders are homebrew buddies and recognized BJCP judges John Remington and Ken Buonocore. John took a few moments between pouring pints on the busy Saturday to chat with me about the brewery. His excitement and passion for the brewery shows.
If you are in the area, be sure to stop by and try a few of the delicious brews at Conshohocken Brewing Company. Heck, plan your day around a visit to the brewery, or just drive there right now.
Believe me, it will be worth the trip.
Conshohocken Brewing Company
739 East Elm Street, Suite B | Conshohocken, PA
610-897-8962
www.conshohockenbrewing.com
