USA, PA: River Bend Hop Farm and Brewery shuts down operations

A Perry County brewery and hop farm has shut down operations, pennlive.com reported on November 9.

Owners of the 3-year-old River Bend Hop Farm and Brewery at 1800 Lower Bailey Road in Newport made the announcement Nov. 6 on the brewery’s website and Facebook page.

“As many of you know, in today’s climate with COVID-19, it has become more and more difficult to continue to keep River Bend’s doors open with the regulations we must follow,” they wrote.

Co-owners Tom and Melissa Beers along with Denny and Wendy Browne opened River Bend in 2017 after converting a century-old barn into the brewery and taproom. It was the first brewery to open in recent years in Perry County, thus giving the owners license to call it the county’s oldest brewery.

River Bend’s beers covered several styles from hoppy or sour to dark, sweet or light. They also made artisan sodas and grew and sold hops, a key ingredient in beer-making.

“After 3 wonderful years of bringing you carefully cultivated craft beer to drink, local musicians to listen to and beautiful views to enjoy, we are closing our doors. Know that this decision has been a difficult one,” read the message.

River Bend joins other breweries in the state that have closed this year, including Stoudt’s Brewing in Adamstown and Crystal Ball Brewing in York County.

10 November, 2020