Brewery Spotlight: Bonn Place Brewing Company – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has no shortage of breweries. From the big names that have helped put the state’s craft beer scene on the national map to the smaller operations tucked away in towns you might otherwise drive right past, there is always another brewery worth discovering. And sometimes, those smaller breweries are where you find the most interesting stories.

Enter Bonn Place Brewing Company in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Located on Taylor Street in Bethlehem’s South Side, (310 Taylor St, Bethlehem, PA 18015), Bonn Place is the kind of brewery that reminds you what craft beer was supposed to be about in the first place: good beer, good people, and a place where you can sit down, enjoy a pint, and forget about whatever nonsense the outside world has decided to throw at you that day.

Opened in 2016 by Sam and Gina Masotto, Bonn Place has carved out its own little corner of the Lehigh Valley beer scene. The brewery grew out of the couple’s experiences in the hospitality and entertainment worlds, eventually turning their passion for brewing into a neighborhood gathering place. And that neighborhood atmosphere appears to be a pretty important part of the Bonn Place identity.

Their motto? “Nice Beers for Nice People.”

Honestly, that’s a pretty good starting point.

The Beer

When I visited just a bit ago (August 31st), I had three beers – Scottish Breakfast, Angel Maker, and Obus. All were delicious and made for a perfect ending for my big trip up north and make my way home. Just be aware, Bonn Place doesn’t do traditional flights, so they give you half pours, but most of their beers are not high ABV so this shouldn’t be a major concern, and even with half pours you can still get to try a lot of their different styles and wonderful beers.

One of the things that makes Bonn Place particularly interesting is its willingness to explore different beer styles rather than simply chase whatever happens to be dominating the craft beer conversation.

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy a good hazy IPA as much as the next beer enthusiast, but there are approximately 47,000 breweries making them these days. Sometimes it’s nice to see a brewery putting some attention into traditional styles and giving them the respect they deserve.

Bonn Place has developed a reputation for English-style ales, traditional bitters, witbiers, pale ales, sours, and hop-forward offerings.

Two beers that deserve some attention are Mooey, a Special Bitter, and Nemo, an English-Style Mild Ale. Both have earned recognition at the Great American Beer Festival, with Mooey taking home silver and Nemo earning bronze.

That’s no small accomplishment.

There’s also Bianca Bianca, a strong witbier featuring orange, coriander, and juniper, demonstrating that the brewery isn’t afraid to experiment with flavors while maintaining an appreciation for traditional brewing styles.

And for those interested in something a little more connected to Pennsylvania agriculture, Bonn Place has also worked with local suppliers, including Deer Creek Malthouse and Murphy’s Hop Yard.

It’s always nice to see a brewery embrace its surroundings rather than simply treating its location as an address on a shipping label.

The Atmosphere

Bonn Place isn’t trying to be a massive production facility with a sprawling entertainment complex attached to it. That’s part of the appeal.

The brewery describes its taproom as a living room for the community, and that seems to be a pretty fitting description. It’s a smaller, intimate operation where the emphasis is on conversation, hospitality, and enjoying what’s in your glass.

There are also some fun touches, including its Friday Bring Your Own Vinyl promotion, where customers can bring a record to spin and receive a discount on their pint.

Beer, music, and vinyl records. Three things that have managed to survive decades of people predicting their demise.

I’ll drink to that.

Final Thoughts

Bonn Place Brewing Company is an interesting reminder that a brewery doesn’t need to produce thousands of barrels, distribute across multiple states, or release another pastry stout with enough adjuncts to qualify as a grocery store shopping list to make an impression.

Sometimes a small brewery with a commitment to traditional styles, a willingness to experiment, and an appreciation for its local community is more than enough.

I particularly appreciate the attention Bonn Place gives to English-style beers and traditional brewing. In an industry where trends can sometimes dictate the direction of an entire tap list, it’s refreshing to see a brewery willing to march to the beat of its own drum.

Bethlehem might not be the first Pennsylvania destination that comes to mind when planning a brewery road trip, but Bonn Place gives beer enthusiasts another reason to make the journey.

And really, isn’t that what this whole craft beer adventure is about? Finding those places you might otherwise overlook, discovering something new, and enjoying a good beer along the way.

The Beer Thrillers verdict: Bonn Place Brewing Company looks like exactly the kind of independent brewery worth keeping on your Pennsylvania craft beer radar. Nice beers for nice people. Hard to argue with that.

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