Black Rock Brewing Company – Downtown Pottsville – Will Not Be Re – Opening
Black Rock Brewing Company in Downtown Pottsville Will Not Be Re – Opening
It is with a sad heart we have to yet again report unfortunate news in the craft beer industry. As just announced (under a half hour ago), the Black Rock Brewery in downtown Pottsville, Pennsylvania; will not be re – opening.
They shared a post by Bobby Weaver on their Facebook account just a bit ago which states why they won’t be re – opening. The shared post reads:
It is with a heavy, heavy heart that I am forced to announce that Black Rock will not be re-opening. We love Pottsville. Anyone who knows myself or Abby knows this all too well. If I wasn’t someone challenging Pottsville City Hall and the “leaders” of this City who sit on City Council – Black Rock would still be open today.
We love the old YWCA building, with its iconic architecture and rich history shared with many who still live here. However, restoring and converting old buildings like this one, built in 1893, is an extremely difficult endeavor. We took out massive loans to finance this major historical restoration and conversion. Personally, I’ve never been more proud of a project I’ve worked on. It’s a survivor, having suffered through an INCREDIBLY difficult first 2 years of life. We NEEDED year 3 to be the payoff, just like all new businesses. We fought through our growing pains, figured out what people wanted, and had a kickass staff ready for an epic summer in Pottsville. We even expanded our outside seating with the picnic patio, added a pool table and dart boards, and had exciting events lined up, such as more beer/wine train excursions, an art installation with the Schuylkill Historic Society, and SO many scheduled bands.
Then, on the early morning of May 17th, we had an after-hours fire. It was caused by a freak equipment malfunction with our grill, and it led to one of the worst calls (so far) I’ve ever received as a business owner. When I arrived, a fleet of fire trucks, representing all fire departments in Pottsville, was already on the scene. Every fire is dangerous, but we were fortunate that the alarms in our building miraculously alerted a passing Pottsville PD officer at 1am. He gained access to the building and extinguished the fire within minutes from when it started – absolutely incredible. By the time the first firefighters arrived, the fire was already completely extinguished. The damage was minimal, contained, and we couldn’t have been luckier. We even got the whole thing on video!
However, upon learning that a local business had suffered a fire, our City Council members used it to score cheap political points. The code office condemned our building and revoked our certificate of occupancy, which left us utterly shocked and completely confused.
They knew the fire was small, they knew it was extinguished extremely fast, and they knew there was no reason to take such drastic action. A few days after the fire, representatives from the City of Pottsville government conducted a “life safety inspection” of our building. These code officers were the same individuals against whom I had filed official complaints. The same 3rd Party Code Inspector, who gladly accepted $3,000+ for our final inspection just 2 years ago, accompanied them. They meticulously examined our entire building that was approved,inspected, and untouched from the fire, from top to bottom, for over an hour, and then they left without saying a single word. They found 67 items, literally everything they could find, with the most petty violation being the height at which we hung our basement bathroom mirrors was a few inches too high. Violation. There were certainly some legitimate items on the list, such as emergency lights needing repairs and outlet covers, or our temporary use of extension cords. However, these were all easy fixes that we’ve completed weeks ago and would not have caused us to close.
We have been closed for 6 weeks, and our hope is gone. Due to the revocation of our certificate of occupancy, we were required to submit entirely new architectural designs for the project. Unfortunately, every plan we have submitted so far has been denied, despite being submitted and sealed by licensed architects. The lack of clear answers and constantly shifting requirements have left us without hope. Our efforts have been consistently shot down, with emails and calls going unanswered or weeks in between contact, and general correspondence hostile. We can’t go on like this. They have bullied yet another business into closing its doors in Pottsville, we aren’t the first.
I’m choosing my family. Abby & I are having our second child, a girl, here in a few days. I’m also choosing our other two businesses, Pressed & Farlows, both of which won Readers Choice awards this year! Best coffeehouse AND best deli & hoagies, it was such an honor. If the City of Pottsville government isn’t willing to fight for this project and save a historic building, neither am I. The dark and pathetic side of small town politics snuffed out Black Rock Brewpub. This is the embodiment of everything I’ve been working to change in Pottsville, and why I’m running for City Council.
We have remained closed through Memorial Day Weekend and the entire month of June. As a primarily outdoor venue, the summer season is crucial for us. However, with the roadblocks, red tape, and ever-changing rules, we have been crippled. We can’t plan events, retain our staff, or do ANYTHING when we have no idea when we can open, and we have no other options. Our employees are out of jobs, this historic building is closed, and it pains us to see Pottsville suffer. We hope that this goodbye is not forever.
Black Rock Brewing Company – Facebook Shared Post
Unfortunate News
This is very unfortunate news as Black Rock was a staple to the Pottsville community. There is other Pottsville breweries in the area (most notably the Yuengling Brewery as well as Pilger Ruh Brewing).
There is no talk or word yet on the Black Rock Brewing in Linglestown, Pennsylvania.
The fire back on May 17th really set them back, and as it turns out, crippled the business. Its a shame to see travesties and tragedies like this happen to businesses and that force them to shut down.
Fires aren’t new to breweries – in just the past few years, Victory Brewing had a fire and explosion at their Kennett Square location, and the Funk Brewery in Elizabethtown had a fire. As well as the brewers Brooke and Shannon Hemauer had a fire at their own home.
We offer our condolences to those affected by the loss of Black Rock Brewing, and we wish the best for all in the future going forward.
May 17th Fire
Back on May 17th, Black Rock Brewing had a fire. Their Facebook post from the date sums it up:
In case you didn’t hear, we had a silly little freak fire in the kitchen late last night. No one was there at the time and it’s minimal damage, but we will be temporarily closed while we work on cleaning up and making sure everything is in normal tip-top shape. Stay tuned for re-opening updates!
Black Rock Brewing Company – Facebook Post (May 17th, 2023)
As always, our whole team is super grateful for the incredible speed and effeciency of our local police and fire departments. They’re the real MVPs.
The post was accompanied by a Black Rock Brewing Company logo with “OK but Temporary Closed”.
Black Rock Brewing Company
The following comes from Untappd. Black Rock Brewing Company is a micro brewery from Pottsville, Pennsylvania. They have 27 unique beers with a total of 2,918 ratings, and a global average rating of 3.58 (as of 6.28.23). Their Untappd description reads: Black Rock Brewing is a landmark craft microbrewery in Downtown Pottsville, featuring our own local brews, Yuengling Beer, SpringGate Wine, and food sourced from the historically rich coal region.
They also have a location in Linglestown, Pennsylvania.
You can find them at the following social media pages:
- Black Rock Brewing Company – Official Website
- Black Rock Brewing Company – Instagram
- Black Rock Brewing Company – Facebook
- Black Rock Brewing Company – Twitter
- Black Rock Brewing Company – Untappd
Brewery News
Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:
- Other Half Brewing Company Opening Friday 2.18.22 in Philadelphia
- Midwest Coast Brewery Opening
- Boulevard Presidents Steps Down Amidst Allegations
- Brewery Opening: Howling Henry’s (Hummelstown)
- Brewery Opening: Highway Manor (Camp Hill)
- Brewery Opening: Rotunda Brew Pub (Hershey)
- Is JB LoveDraft’s Opening a Brewery?
- Tattered Flag at Hollywood Casino – Grantville – Opening Their 5th Location
- JB LoveDraft’s Grand Opening (Mechanicsburg)
- ZeroDay Opens Their New Tap Room (Harrisburg)
- Victory Brewery Fire and Explosion (Kennett Square)
- Sign of the Horse Brewery is Expanding in Hanover (Taking Over the Old Miscreation Brewery)
- Brewery Tour: Couch Brewery (Pittsburgh)
- Brewery Visit: Mellow Mink (Mechanicsburg)
- A Sneak Peak at the new Rubber Soul Brewery (Hummelstown)
- Rubber Soul Grand Opening (Hummelstown)
- VooDoo Lancaster Closing
- River Bend Hop Farm and Brewery Closes
- Homaide Brewing Says Goodbye To Their First Home
- Grand Opening of Hemauer Brewing (Mechanicsburg)
- Rally Point Tap Room Opening – Cox Brewing Company – Elizabethtown
- Spigot Brewing Closes
- Full Pint Brewing Closes
- Night Shift Brewing Cancels Expansion
- Mikkeller Brewing NYC Closes Permanently
- Pilger Ruh Brewing Needs Your Help (Pottsville)
- Official BBQ (Pizza Boy Secondary Location) (Rutherford)
- Aslin Beer Co. Now Ships to Pennsylvania
- Boneshire Brew Works to Open Second Taproom in Harrisburg (Harrisburg)
- Aslin Beer Company Confirms Expanding to Pittsburgh
- Rural City Beer Company Coming to Beamstown PA
- Grand Opening of Forest and Main’s New Brewpub
- New Bells-gium – New Belgium Owned Company Buys Bell’s Brewery
- Human Robot Expanding to Jenkintown
- High Road Brewing Company Coming to Camp Hill, Pennsylvania in Summer 2022
- YAH Brewing’s First Can Drop
- RAR Brewing’s Star Wars Can Drop
- Arboretum Trail Brewing Company Opens Their Doors Tomorrow
- Macklin Brewing Company in Development
- Michaux Brewing Company Grand Opening
- Shy Bear Brewing Announces Two New Locations
- Newfangled Brew Works Announces Closure
- Fourscore Beer Company Celebrates Their 3rd Anniversary
- Penn Brewery Announces Sale and Owner’s Retirement
- Voodoo Brewing Company To Open Brewpub on North Shore of Pittsburgh – August 27th
- Truth Beer Company’s Grand Opening
- Sobel’s Obscure Brewery’s Grand New Location and Opening
- AleCraft Brewing Company Expands Into Pennsylvania
- Boneshire Brew Works Celebrates 6th Anniversary
- Funk Brewing Company – Elizabethtown Brewery – Fire
- Funk Brewing Company – Elizabethtown Brewery – Fire Update
- Victory Taproom in Kennett Square Re – Opens
- Pour Man’s Brewery Is Moving Their Tap Room
- Qatar Bans Alcohol Sales at World Cup 2022
- Second Sin Brewery Company Celebrates Third Anniversary
- Round Guys Brewing Company’s Brewpub in Lansdale is Getting a Revamp
- VK Brewing Officially Opens at Historic Ship Inn
- Rocket Frog Brewing Company Announces Closure on December 11th
- Where to Watch the USA vs Netherlands World Cup Game – in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia
- Liquid Noise Brewing Company Announces the Show is Ending (Brewery Closure)
- Looks Like Homaide Brewing Company Might Be Done (January 2023)
- Old Soul Brewing Starting up in Waynesboro Pennsylvania
- Cox Brewing Company Returning to Their Roots
- Helping the Hemauer Family
- Cellar Works Brewing Closing Cooper Station
- Imprint Beer Company Unveils The GNARCADIUM
- Blueprint Brewing Company Announces Their Closing on March 31st
- Pilger Ruh Brewing is Expanding into Gettysburg
- Back Porch Brewing Grand Opening
- Jigsy’s Old Forge Pizza and Brewpub is Expanding into Hershey
- LoveDraft’s Brewery Sabotaged
- Homaide Brewing Company Resurfaces
- Sign of the Horse Brewery Announces Closure of Zeichen des Pferdes and Re – Branding
- Mount Gretna Craft Brewery in Palmyra Announces Closing Immediately
- The Englewood Announces Re – Opening
- AB InBev Closes Cleveland’s Platform Brewing Company
- Full Tit Brewing Closing
- Camp Hill Brewery – High Road Brewing – Plans Scrapped
- YAH Brew is Coming to Hershey in Spring 2023
- Bespoke Brewing Moving and Expanding
- BrewDog Pittsburgh Has Closed
- Isle of Que Brewing – The Que Brew Crew – Has Announced Their Closing
- Fermentery Form Announces Temporary Closure
- Separatist Beer Project Announces Temporary Closing of Both Locations
- Fermentery Form Cited for Failing Health Inspections
- Guinness Brewing is Closing Their Maryland Production Facility
- Cox Brewing Company Celebrates 8th Anniversary
- Human Robot Expands into the Schuylkill
- Despite Being Closed – Fermentery Form Selling Bottles Tomorrow
- Cape May Brewing Company Acquires Flying Fish Brewing Company
- Our Town Brewery Expanding into Philly
- Smoketown Creekside – Brewery Operations For Sale
- Founders Announce Closure of their Detroit Taproom
- The Bruery Store D.C. Is Closed
- Founders Brewing Company Sued for Racial Discrimination (Again) Just Before Detroit Taproom Shut Down
- Liquid Noise Brewing Company – New Ownership, New Beer, New Friends
- YAH Brew Grand Opening
- FX Matt Brewing Company Acquires Flying Dog Brewery
- The Beerded Goat Brewing Company Taking over the old NewFangled Brewery
- River Horse Brewing Company Acquires DuClaw Brewing Company
- Carbon Copy Brewing will be taking over Separatist Beer Project’s East Passyunk Location for the Summer
- Anchor Brewing Will No Longer Be Sold Nationally
- The First Hershey Beer and Music Festival Announced
- Cushwa Brewing Company Opening Second Location in Columbia Maryland
- Guinness Baltimore Blonde Beer Production Moving to New York
- Black Rock Brewing Company – Downtown Pottsville – Will Not Be Re – Opening
- Brewery Closings – Archives
- Brewery Openings – Archives
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