E-Malt.com News article: USA, PA: Beaver Brewing Co. to expand

Demand is so stout for Beaver Brewing Co. beers that owner Dan Woodske hopes to expand in a new location and add a brewpub, Timesonline.com reported on July, 16.

Woodske bought a building on Seventh Avenue in Beaver Falls. Pending borough and state approvals, Beaver Brewing probably would open in 2013, pouring craft beers made on site.

"We are already working with the city to get everything in order," said Woodske, who will meet for a second time with the Beaver Falls Planning Commission this week, and the borough's zoning board next month.

Woodske will need the state to grant him a brewpub license, authorizing him to sell beer for on-site consumption.

He also needs state approval to transfer his separate brewery license, which covers his current beer-making facility in a former pizza shop in Patterson Township.

Since December 2010, that's where Woodske has been handcrafting Beaver Brewing artisan brands like Chamomile Wheat, I.Porter.Ale, Ryeing Game, Basil and Pecan Pie Brown Nut Ale.

He took a slow, steady business approach for three reasons.

"One, I wanted to see if I could do it, because I didn't go to school to become a brewmaster; two, I needed to see if I could get through all the goofy Pennsylvania legal stuff; and three, I needed to find out if there is a market for craft beers in Beaver County," Woodske said. "That was probably the biggest part of it.”

Initially, he supplied kegs of Beaver Brewing brands to local bars.

Then he launched a takeout beer business from his brewery on 15th Street in Patterson. On the first Friday and Saturday of each month the brewery hosts Growler Days, selling beer in 64-ounce containers. 22-ounce bottles and kegs are also available for takeout.

The takeout business is doing so well, he hasn't been able to keep up the inventory for local bars.

He would be able to produce more beer from the bigger site in Beaver Falls, though much of it would be sold in the attached brewpub.


18 July, 2012