B. Kline - The Beer Thrillers

Beer Review: Chewbacca (Rotunda Brewing Company)

B. Kline — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 02:45:07 +0000

Beer Review: Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company

I first had this beer back in October of 2019. (Which feels like ancient history.) And I remember wanting to write a review of it even back then for the site…. and for some reason I never did. Not sure why exactly. Maybe I just didn’t get around to it or something, but I even kept my photo of the beer on my desktop screen this whole time. Ironically, I recently had it again, so what better opportunity to revisit the beer for my second beer review release for Andor: Season 2. Last week I reviewed – Admiral (J Henry Barrel Aged Grand Stout) by Delta Beer Lab – and so this week, we’ll taking a look at a much closer brewery – Rotunda Brewing Company with their Imperial Black IPA (or Imperial Cascadian IPA). This is one of my favorite styles of beer, I love Black IPAs, and Double Black IPAs are event better.

But before we dive in, I want everyone to please take a look at our stream / podcast / video we made on YouTube. It stars myself, Drew of Knights of Nostalgia, and Tim (Aglets). You can view it here:

In the video we cover the first three episodes of Andor. So please be sure to check it out!

And now, onto the review!

Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company (at the Rising Sun in 2019)

The Beer Review: Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company

Beer: Chewbacca
Brewery: Rotunda Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Black IPA / Double Black IPA
ABV: 8%
IBU: N / A
Untappd Description: (Blank)

Let’s check out this Wookie beast (not to be confused with the Wookie Monster by Fourscore). Will someone get this Walking Carpet out of my way so I can type!

Appearance

Chewbacca pours a deep, opaque brown-almost bordering on black-with a creamy, tan head that lingers like a loyal Wookiee companion. The lacing is impressive, clinging to the glass with each sip, leaving behind a trail reminiscent of hyperspace streaks.

Aroma

Right out of the gate, there’s a punch of roasted malt-think dark chocolate and fresh-brewed coffee-balanced by a piney, resinous hop profile. There’s a subtle undercurrent of caramel and a hint of citrus, like orange peel, that peeks through as it warms. The aroma is bold and inviting, promising complexity.

Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company

Taste

The first sip delivers a satisfying interplay between roasted malt bitterness and assertive hop character. Notes of espresso and bittersweet cocoa dominate up front, quickly joined by pine, grapefruit, and a touch of earthy spice. The Black IPA style shines here: the hops never overwhelm the malt backbone, instead weaving together in a harmonious, chewy mouthfeel. The 9.2% ABV is well-hidden, but there’s a gentle warmth in the finish that lets you know this is a beer worthy of a Wookiee.

Mouthfeel

Medium to full-bodied, with a creamy carbonation that lifts the flavors without feeling heavy. The finish is dry, with lingering roast and a pleasant, resinous bitterness that invites another sip.

Overall Impressions

Chewbacca is a robust, well-executed Black IPA that balances dark roast and hop bite with finesse. It’s a bold tribute to its namesake-complex, powerful, and just a little wild. Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or simply a lover of big, hoppy dark ales, this is a beer that deserves a spot in your cantina. Untappd’s 3.8/5 rating feels right, but I’d nudge it a bit higher for the sheer fun and craftsmanship.

Wrap Up

My Untappd Rating: ****.25
Global Untappd Rating: 3.8 (out of nearly 1000 ratings) (as of 4.25.25)

May the hops be with you-always.

Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company (RBC) (photo courtesy of Rotunda Brewing Company)

I’m gonna have to check the archives of the site here, or on my computer, to see if I have any notes or anything from the initial first time I drank the beer, if maybe I started a review and then sadly – for whatever reason – never got around to finishing it. Maybe I was waiting for the right chance to post it, and never found it. Who knows, there’s over 70+ articles in my “draft” folder here on the site, some day I’ll get around to posting them…. unfortunately that day is not today though. But be sure to come back to the site, who knows, maybe it’ll be tomorrow…..

And check back next Tuesday for another (hopefully) Star Wars themed beer release. Over the weekened is May the Fourth Be With You, so once again, hopefully I’ll be able to grab some of the RAR Star Wars themed beers and will be able to review them weekly!

Cheers all and thank you for reading!

Chewbacca at Rotunda Brewery

All of Our Nerd Content

Here’s all of our nerd content, served up best in one single place. Enjoy!

I know ya’ll here for the nerd reviews. So check out our other nerd reviews below:

Star Wars:

Futurama

Lord of the Rings:

Magic the Gathering:

New Belgium Teams Up with Magic the Gathering for Vastwood Seer IPA

Heroes of Barcadia:

Rollacrit Partners with Voodoo Ranger IPA for New Kickstarter, Heroes of Barcadia: Heroes for Hire Tabletop Game

Zelda:

Rick and Morty:

Beer Review: Peace Among Worlds (Cushwa Brewing Company)

Space Balls:

Beer Review: Moon of Vega (Equilibrium Brewery)

Game of Thrones:

The Simpsons:

Back to the Future:

Beer Review: Back to Reality (Three 3s Brewing Co)

Scrooged:

Beer Review: Scrooge IPA (Iron Hill Brewing)

Groundhog Day:

A Christmas Story:

The Peanuts:

Pro Wrestling:

Soccer:

World Cup:

Phillies:

Philadelphia Eagles:

The Philadelphia Eagles Running Back – D’Andre Swift – Visits Bald Bird Brewing Company

Matrix:

Matrix Monday

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:

Beer Review: Terpenes in Time (BAREBottle Brewing Co)

Mario:

Beer Review: Level Up (Idiom Brewing)

HP Lovecraft / Cthulhu:

Beer Review: Azathoth (Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company)

Seinfeld:

The Muppets:

Other:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We are also now on BlueSky as well, so make sure to check us out there also. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server). We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of April 2025.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

Human Robot Shutting Down Schuylkill Banks and Opening New Taphouses

B. Kline — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 19:21:29 +0000

Human Robot Shutting Down Schuylkill Banks and Opening New Taphouses

Human Robot Beer is shutting down their Schuykill Banks location (on May 31st) and are opening new (two to be exact) taphouses. Crime and Punishment just recently closed and it looks like the vacancy will quickly be filled by Human Robot Beer. Human Robot Brewery will move its Schuylkill Banks tasting room to the recently vacated space of Crime and Punishment Brewing Co. at 2711 W. Girard Ave. in Brewerytown. Human Robot also has plans to open a new spot in New Hope, Bucks County.

Human Robot Beer’s Announcement

The Announcement

The following is Human Robot Beer’s announcement on Instagram:

When one door closes, TWO more open!
.
While we are sad to announce that we will be leaving our @humanrobotschuylkillbanks location on May 31st, we are VERY excited to share that we will be opening TWO new tasting rooms in the very near future.
.
@humanrobotgirard is thrilled to announce our move into the former Crime & Punishment location at 2711 W. Girard ave. We are truly honored to uphold the legacy established by Mike P, Wambs, and their amazing team over the last decade. One of our very first “meetings” took place in this space, and it holds a special place in our hearts. We cherish the memories we’ve made there over so many exceptional beers and look forward to creating even more with all of you. Our hope is to get it reopened as soon as possible. Our buddy Poe will be joining us as well, follow @poessidepiece and please follow our new social for updates!
.
@doublesNH is our new concept in New Hope, PA located at 12 W. Mechanic St. This will be a slightly different spin on what we have traditionally done. For one, we are bringing in a partner, @keithashore , to help with design and art and some special extras to be announced. This is being built from the ground up, so it will take a little longer, but look for us hopefully come July. Again, follow the socials there and we will update when we can!
.
Thanks for being on this journey with us and supporting us every step of the way. More info to come!
.
#brewerytown #newhope #humanrobot #pilsnerpirates #milktube

–Human Robot Beer – Instagram Post

See Also: Crime and Punishment Announce Upcoming Closing
Crime and Punishment’s Last Day is this Weekend

Human Robot Brewery Expands: New Locations in Brewerytown and New Hope

Crime and Punishment’s Brewery

Human Robot Brewery is making major moves in 2025, relocating its Schuylkill Banks tasting room to Brewerytown and launching a new concept in New Hope. Here’s what beer lovers need to know about these exciting changes.

Human Robot Brewery Takes Over Crime & Punishment’s Former Space

Human Robot Brewery will soon be calling 2711 W. Girard Avenue in Brewerytown its new home. This location, previously occupied by Crime & Punishment Brewing Co. for a decade, will become Human Robot Girard, replacing the brewery’s current Schuylkill Banks outpost, which will close on May 31, 2025. The move comes after Human Robot finalized a $760,000 purchase of the building, although the deal did not include Crime & Punishment’s business or brewing licenses.

The new taproom will retain much of the character and furnishings of Crime & Punishment, with only the brewing equipment being removed to make way for additional seating. Outdoor seating will also be available, and all former Crime & Punishment staff have been offered positions at the new Human Robot location.

What to Expect at Human Robot Girard

Patrons can look forward to the brewery’s signature lagers, pilsners, and innovative brews, including the popular Milktube pours. The food menu will feature sandwiches from Poe’s Side Piece, an offshoot of Poe’s Sandwich Joint, which is already a staple at Human Robot’s flagship in West Kensington. The brewery aims to honor the legacy of Crime & Punishment while bringing its own unique flair to the neighborhood.

Expansion Continues: New Hope Location Set for Summer

In addition to its Brewerytown plans, Human Robot is preparing to open a new tasting room called Doubles at 12 W. Mechanic Street in New Hope, marking its first venture into Bucks County. This ground-up project is expected to debut in July 2025 and will offer a slightly different experience compared to the brewery’s other locations. The New Hope outpost will bring the total number of Human Robot locations to five, including existing taprooms in Kensington, Jenkintown, and East Passyunk.

Human Robot’s Growth and Legacy

Founded in 2020 by Ken Correll, Chris Roller, and Jake Atkinson, Human Robot Brewery has quickly become a Philadelphia favorite, known for its experimental approach and dedication to quality. Head brewer Andrew Foss has helped popularize the use of Czech Lukr faucets, renowned for producing a thick, creamy foam on their beers.

The End of an Era for Crime & Punishment

Crime & Punishment Brewing Co., established in 2015, became a beloved fixture in Brewerytown, crafting nearly 500 unique beers over its ten-year run. The brewery closed its doors in April 2025, leaving behind a legacy of community and creativity that Human Robot aims to honor as it steps into the space.

With these strategic expansions, Human Robot Brewery continues to cement its reputation as one of Philadelphia’s most dynamic craft beer brands, promising new experiences for fans in both Brewerytown and New Hope.

For More Information on Human Robot

The following comes via Untappd.

Human Robot Beer is a micro brewery from Philadelphia, PA. They have 350 unique beers and over 94,000 ratings, with a global average rating of 4.05 (as of 4.22.25). Their Untappd description reads: “[Blank]”

You can follow them at these social media platforms:

Human Robot Beer – Official Website
Human Robot Beer – Facebook
Human Robot Beer – Instagram
Human Robot Beer – Untappd

Brewery News

Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, auctions, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Beer Review: Admiral (J Henry Barrel Aged Grand Stout) (Delta Beer Lab)

B. Kline — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 02:45:10 +0000

Beer Review: Admiral (J Henry Barrel Aged Grand Stout) (by Delta Beer Lab)

In honor of Andor season 2, (and the fast approaching May the Fourth Be With You), here is a new Star Wars (themed at least) beer review for everyone. Who has gotten to watch the first three episodes of Andor released today? (I did, and in the next beer review, I’ll post our YouTube review of it – involving myself, Knights of Nostalgia, and Aglets.)

Admiral (J Henry Barrel Aged Grand Stout) by Delta Beer Lab

Beer Review

Beer: Admiral (J. Henry Barrel Aged Grand Stout)
Brewery: Delta Beer Lab
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Style: American Imperial Stout (Barrel-Aged)
ABV: 11.1%

First Impressions

If you’re searching for a bold, barrel-aged imperial stout that delivers on both complexity and craftsmanship, Admiral (J Henry Barrel Aged Grand Stout) from Delta Beer Lab in Madison, WI, is a must-try. This limited release is making waves in the Midwest craft beer scene, earning an impressive 4.2/5 average rating on Untappd and a 4.42/5 on BeerAdvocate, signaling its strong reputation among stout enthusiasts.

Appearance

Admiral pours jet black with a dense, mocha-colored head that lingers and leaves elegant lacing down the glass. The viscosity is immediately apparent, hinting at the richness to come.

Aroma

The nose is decadent and layered. Expect waves of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and molasses, intertwined with notes of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak from the J Henry bourbon barrels. Subtle hints of dried fruit and a whisper of bourbon heat round out the aroma, inviting you in for that first sip.

Admiral by Delta Beer Lab

Flavor

On the palate, Admiral is a masterclass in balance. The bourbon barrel aging imparts smooth vanilla and caramel undertones, seamlessly blending with the stout’s core flavors of bittersweet chocolate, espresso, and dark toffee. There’s a gentle warmth from the 11.1% ABV – enough to remind you of its strength, but never overpowering. The barrel character is pronounced but not dominant, allowing the base stout’s roasty complexity to shine through. As the beer warms, notes of fig, raisin, and a touch of leather emerge, adding depth and intrigue.

Mouthfeel

Full-bodied and velvety, Admiral coats the palate with a creamy texture and moderate carbonation. The finish is long and satisfying, with lingering chocolate and a gentle bourbon warmth that invites another sip.

Overall Impressions

Admiral (J Henry Barrel Aged Grand Stout) is a standout example of a barrel-aged imperial stout done right. It’s robust, complex, and dangerously drinkable for its strength. Whether you’re a barrel-aged aficionado or just dipping your toes into the world of imperial stouts, this beer is a testament to Delta Beer Lab’s skill and creativity.

Perfect For:

Sipping fireside on a chilly Wisconsin night
Pairing with rich desserts like flourless chocolate cake or blue cheese
Sharing with fellow craft beer lovers looking for something special

Why Seek Out The Admiral?

Delta Beer Lab is known for its innovative, community-focused approach to brewing, and Admiral exemplifies their commitment to quality. If you’re in Madison or exploring Wisconsin’s craft beer scene, this is a barrel-aged stout that deserves a place on your must-try list.

Pro Tip:

If you spot a bottle or tap pour of Admiral, don’t hesitate-this is one of those rare releases that lives up to the hype and will leave you wanting more. For more reviews of standout craft beers in Wisconsin and beyond, follow our blog and discover your next favorite pour.

Ratings

My Untappd Rating: ****
Global Untappd Rating: 4.21 (out of 250~ ratings) (global average as of 4.22.25)

All of Our Nerd Content

Here’s all of our nerd content, served up best in one single place. Enjoy!

I know ya’ll here for the nerd reviews. So check out our other nerd reviews below:

Star Wars:

Futurama

Lord of the Rings:

Magic the Gathering:

New Belgium Teams Up with Magic the Gathering for Vastwood Seer IPA

Heroes of Barcadia:

Rollacrit Partners with Voodoo Ranger IPA for New Kickstarter, Heroes of Barcadia: Heroes for Hire Tabletop Game

Zelda:

Rick and Morty:

Beer Review: Peace Among Worlds (Cushwa Brewing Company)

Space Balls:

Beer Review: Moon of Vega (Equilibrium Brewery)

Game of Thrones:

The Simpsons:

Back to the Future:

Beer Review: Back to Reality (Three 3s Brewing Co)

Scrooged:

Beer Review: Scrooge IPA (Iron Hill Brewing)

Groundhog Day:

A Christmas Story:

The Peanuts:

Pro Wrestling:

Soccer:

World Cup:

Phillies:

Philadelphia Eagles:

The Philadelphia Eagles Running Back – D’Andre Swift – Visits Bald Bird Brewing Company

Matrix:

Matrix Monday

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:

Beer Review: Terpenes in Time (BAREBottle Brewing Co)

Mario:

Beer Review: Level Up (Idiom Brewing)

HP Lovecraft / Cthulhu:

Beer Review: Azathoth (Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company)

Seinfeld:

The Muppets:

Other:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

The Battle of the Breweries 2025 Champion Is…

B. Kline — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 19:49:13 +0000

The Battle of the Breweries 2025 Champion is…

On the same night that John Cena won his 17th World Heavyweight Championship, we crowned our first two time champion. Fighting it out in the Finals Fatal Four-Way for this year, 2025, we had returning champion Liquid Noise Brewing Company vs. Collusion Tap Works vs. former champion Allusion Brewing Company vs. Acclamation Brewing.

Also, just like last night, with Cody Rhodes losing, so did our returning champion. So yes, that means your 2025 Battle of the Breweries Champion is….

The 2025 Battle of the Breweries Champion is…. Allusion Brewing Company!

Allusion Brewing Company

Our first two time champion, Allusion Brewing Company previously won in 2023. Located in Vandergrift Pennsylvania, at 143 Grant Ave, Vandergrift, PA 15690 and their second location is at 1701 Duncan Avenue, Allison Park, Duncan Manor Plaza. This marks the first time we have had a returning champion win! Our previous winners have included:

2021: Isle of Que Brewing
2022: Von C Brewing
2023: Allusion Brewing Company
2024: Liquid Noise Brewing Company

Congratulations go out to Allusion Brewing Company, all of their staff, and all of their fans and customers for voting for them!

Finals Breakdown

With Allusion Brewing Company winning, that means there were three runner-ups. Winners of their own conferences, but in the Finals Fatal Four-way they came in the following places:

4th Place: Acclamation Brewing
3rd Place: Liquid Noise Brewing Company
2nd Place: Collusion Tap Works
1st Place: Allusion Brewing Company

There was 1415 total votes in the finals, with Allusion Brewing Company receiving more than half of the total (52.4%). Collusion Tap Works in 2nd place received 249 votes (17.6%), third place – Liquid Noise Brewing Company received 218 (15.4%), and in fourth place Acclamation Brewing received 206 votes (14.6%).

Results of the Finals Fatal Four-Way

List of Champions

2021: The Isle of Que Brewing Company
2022: Von C Brewing Company
2023: Allusion Brewing Company
2024: Liquid Noise Brewing Company
2025: Allusion Brewing Company

For more information on the past winners

For More Information on Allusion Brewing Company

The following comes via Untappd.

Allusion Brewing Company is listed as a micro brewery from Vandergrift, PA. They have 89 unique beers, and over 9,700 ratings, with a global average rating of 3.80 (as of 4.21.25). Their Untappd description reads: “Vandergrift’s hometown brewery, with a taproom in Allison Park, offering a consistent library of approachable beers taking the tradition of each style seriously. Craft beer is about bringing people together – come join our story.”

Battle of the Breweries 2025 Links

Here is a link to all of the different Battle of the Breweries 2025 pages (voting pages, rules, lists of competitors, etc.) The results pages will be posted shortly, and will be more in-depth than the previous articles for this year.

Rules, Guidelines, List of Competitors

Voting Pages

Round of 64:

Round of 32:

Round of 16:

Round of 8:

Round of 4:

Round of 4 Voting: Apollo Conference
Round of 4 Voting: Cascade Conference
Round of 4 Voting: Liberty Conference
Round of 4 Voting: Zeus Conference
The Conferences Final Four: All Four Conferences Final Four Voting Pages on One Page

Conference Finals:

Conference Finals Voting: Apollo Conference
Conference Finals Voting: Cascade Conference
Conference Finals Voting: Liberty Conference
Conference Finals Voting: Zeus Conference
All Conferences Finals Voting Pages: The Battle of the Breweries 2025 – Conference Finals

Tournament Finals Fatal Four Way:

Finals Fatal Four-Way Voting Page

Results Pages

Round of 64:

Round of 64 Results: Apollo Conference
Round of 64 Results: Cascade Conference
Round of 64 Results: Liberty Conference
Round of 64 Results: Zeus Conference

Round of 32:

Round of 32 Results: Apollo Conference
Round of 32 Results: Cascade Conference
Round of 32 Results: Liberty Conference
Round of 32 Results: Zeus Conference

Round of 16:

Round of 16 Results: Apollo Conference
Round of 16 Results: Cascade Conference
Round of 16 Results: Liberty Conference
Round of 16 Results: Zeus Conference

Round of 8:

Round of 8 Results: Apollo Conference
Round of 8 Results: Cascade Conference
Round of 8 Results: Liberty Conference
Round of 8 Results: Zeus Conference

Round of 4:

Round of 4 Results: Apollo Conference
Round of 4 Results: Cascade Conference
Round of 4 Results: Liberty Conference
Round of 4 Results: Zeus Conference

Conference Finals:

Conference Finals Results: Apollo Conference
Conference Finals Results: Cascade Conference
Conference Finals Results: Liberty Conference
Conference Finals Results: Zeus Conference

Tournament Finals Fatal Four Way:

Finals Fatal Four-Way Results Page

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who voted. I will go into a much bigger thank you on the Results Page, as well as looking for feedback, suggestions for next year (and all other years going forward), and in general people’s thoughts, ideas, and if they enjoyed this year’s tournament or not. I hope everyone did. I appreciate all the time and effort everyone spent on voting and participating in the tournament, and I can only hope everyone enjoyed it. This year’s edition was plagued with a few technical issues on our website, on social media, and all kinds of things, but I think we made it through, just going an extra week long due to the issues. But ending on WrestleMania Night 2, on Easter, and on 4:20 day, kind of made up for it.

I want to congratulate all of the finalists – Allusion Brewing Company (Apollo Conference winner), Collusion Tap Works (Zeus Conference Winner), Liquid Noise Brewing Company (Cascade Conference Winner), and Acclamation Brewing (Liberty Conference Winner). All four breweries did a fantastic job throughout the tournament, and are fantastic breweries period. So if you can, go out and support these great places and people!

There was a total of 256 breweries competing this year, from 13 states and the District of Columbia. So this was certainly a hard fought win, especially since it’s their second win, for Allusion Brewing Company. Congrats to them (again)!

If you are new to the blog and our site, and this is your first time visiting, please hang out, bookmark the site, and check back with us. We do beer news and brewery information (typically in the Pennsylvania and Central Pennsylvania area, but we do cover the larger area), as well as brewery reviews, beer reviews, opinion pieces, book reviews, hiking trails and reviews, job postings, new releases, brewery maps, and so much more. And we are ever growing and increasing. So please, stick around and tell a friend!

Thank you all for visiting and hope you all enjoyed the tournament, and cheers to all!

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery Announces Sudden Closure

B. Kline — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 17:15:17 +0000

Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery Announces Taproom Closure

Just today, at 10:10 AM, Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery announced their sudden taproom and brewery closure. They followed it up with a post at 12:40 PM elucidating a bit more on the closure. But, as it stands, their last day as a taproom and brewery will be this Saturday – April 19th, 2025. The Morrisville brewery and taproom was short lived, but well loved, and was a community stalwart, giving much back to the community and hosting several fundraisers and helping with local groups like the Girl Scouts, etc. Just shy of being open for four years, they will be greatly missed. They are located at 58-B East Bridge St, Morrisville, PA 19067.

Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery Announces Taproom Closing

The Announcement

At 10:10 AM today, April 17th, 2025, Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery announced the following on social media:

It is with great sadness that we announce the closing of our taproom. We hope that during our time open you gathered here with friends and family to enjoy our beer and food and our cozy vibes and cat decor. We pride ourselves on starting a resurgence of new hospitality businesses in Morrisville Borough. We will miss our staff and customers dearly and appreciate you all. Our last full day of service is Saturday April 19th. If you have any inquiries as to if you can purchase any of our equipment/furniture/artwork or to help in anyway please feel free to email us at support@bitchinkitten.com

Kitten Out

Bit-hin’ Kitty Brewery – Facebook Post

They then followed it up with this post at 12:40 PM:

While we say goodbye it is important to look back at where we came from. It has been hard not to feel like we failed our customers, but the world and life is not always easy and kind to small businesses. We put all our effort and heart into this brewery and hope to keep the Kitten alive in someway in the future. We will still be open until this Saturday our normal hours. We would appreciate seeing anyone who can come out before we close! We also appreciate any help/purchases of beer, decor, and equipment we have left! Reach out to us on messages or email support@bitchinkitten.com

Bit-hin’ Kitty Brewery (BK Brewery) – Facebook Post

The taproom is located at 58-B East Bridge St, Morrisville, PA 19067 and as the above posts show – their last day will be this Saturday; April 19th, 2025. The day before Easter (and 4:20). While most comments online have been condolences, memories, and wishing the brewery owners and staff well; they have been questioned about the short notice of the closing, in which they said: “We have contacted all staff individually, they are like family to us.” We hope for all the best for all involved, especially the staff, that they can find new gainful employment quickly. This does seem like a sudden closure, and with little preamble or indication. Recently another Greater Philadelphia area brewery just closed as well – Crime and Punishment Brewing.

2025 is certainly shaping up to be a rough year for the brewing industry, and it is unlikely that this will be the last brewery closing this year. Fingers crossed that it won’t be too many, but there are a lot of factors going against breweries today. Alcohol apathy, changing market trends, demographics, monetary concerns, tariffs on aluminum and other goods, as well as just time itself.

For More Information on Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery

The following comes via Untappd. Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery is a brewpub from Morrisville, PA. They have 52 unique beers and over 9,400 ratings, with a global average rating of 3.74 (as of 4.17.25). Their Untappd description reads: “Bitchin’ Kitten Brewery opened our doors in October 2021 in Morrisville PA. We have an inside taproom and outdoor patio seating which is dog (and cat) friendly. BKB partners with local non-profit animal rescues (primarily cat rescues) and donates part of our proceeds for their benefit. ”

You can ind them at these social media platforms:

Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery – Official Website
Bit-hin’ Kitty Brewery – Facebook
Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery – Instagram
Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery – Untappd

Brewery News

Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, auctions, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

The Battle of the Breweries 2025: Finals Fatal Four – Way

B. Kline — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:00:17 +0000

The Battle of the Breweries 2025: Finals Fatal Four – Way

Just before you’re about to hit play on that cassette tape of “We Are The Champions” we have one final round to go! Its the Finals Fatal Four – Way! Each of the Conference Champions will be facing off in a fatal four way to determine who is the true Battle of the Breweries (2025) Champion! And this year’s a doozy! We have two returning champions, including the Defending champion – Liquid Noise Brewing Company, as well as two first time finalists. Scroll down to the VOTE section to vote.

The Battle of the Breweries: 2025 – Championship Finals Fatal Four Way

Conference Champions

Let’s take a look at the four conference champions:

Apollo Conference

The winner, defeating Boneshire Brew Works in the Conference Championship, of the Apollo Conference is…………… Allusion Brewing Company! A former Battle of the Breweries Champion!

Cascade Conference

The winner, defeating Shy Bear Brewing – and defending their championship from 2024 – of the Cascade Conference is Liquid Noise Brewing Company!

Liberty Conference

The winner of the Liberty Conference, and making their first Finals appearance, having defeated Wolf Brewing, is Acclamation Brewing!

Zeus Conference

The winner of the Zeus Conference, defeating Dancing Gnome Brewing to advance to their first finals is Collusion Tap Works!

Finals Fatal Four Way

Much like a wrestling fatal four way match, you have four determined, grizzled, hard nosed, tough as nails; competitors facing off to determine the one true winner and champion! We take the winner of each of the conferences and pit them against each other in a four way match. (Think of WrestleMania 2000 with The Rock vs. HHH vs. Big Show vs. Mick Foley!) You can only vote for one brewery, and after two weeks – ending on 4:20, on WrestleMania XLI Night Two, ending on Easter Sunday, on Sunday April 20th, 2025; the brewery with the most votes will be the Battle of the Breweries Champion! You can vote daily for your favorite brewery. So we fully recommend 1) that you bookmark this page so you can come back to it each day, and 2) that you share this page to all of your social media platforms to help your favorite brewery out!

VOTE

(Voting has ended.)

Tournament Guidelines

We fully encourage everyone to have as much fun as possible with this tournament! Share and comment and talk about the breweries facing off. Upset your favorite brewery isn’t in the tournament? Sorry! It means one of us probably haven’t been there, or they just barely missed our cut when deciding the 256 breweries to include! Social media is a fantastic tool for sharing your brewery or your favorite brewery’s voting page. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, BlueSky, Mastodon, Tumblr, LinkTree, umm…. MySpace? LinkedIn? Pinterest? What other social medias do you cool young kids use? Whichever it is, feel free to share and bolster and brag about how your brewery is doing or encourage others to vote for your favorite brewery!

Please do keep it all in fun though. This isn’t meant to belittle or demean breweries or to create real animosity. Its a fun light hearted competition in the spirit of the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament. So with that in mind please enjoy it!

The finals round will be a two week event, unlike the previous rounds (with the exception of the one round due to technical difficulties), which were one week rounds.

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Trouble Brewing: How Trump’s Liberation Day Tariffs Are Impacting Craft Beer

B. Kline — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:01:00 +0000

Trouble Brewing: How Trump’s Liberation Day Tariffs Are Impacting Craft Beer

The craft beer industry, long celebrated for its creativity and community-driven ethos, is facing a new challenge in 2025: President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. These sweeping trade measures, including a universal 10% tariff on imports and targeted levies of up to 25% on steel, aluminum, and goods from Canada and Mexico, have sent shockwaves through the brewing world. For an industry already grappling with shifting consumer preferences and post-pandemic recovery, the tariffs could reshape the landscape of American craft beer. (See our previous article – Trump’s Tariffs, posted November 2024.)

Trump’s Tariffs and How They Might Impact Craft Brewing

The Tariffs Explained

President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs aim to protect domestic industries by imposing broad import taxes. However, their impact on craft brewing is particularly severe due to the industry’s reliance on imported materials:

Aluminum Cans: A 25% tariff on imported aluminum directly affects breweries that use cans for packaging. Nearly all cans used by U.S. brewers are sourced internationally, making this tariff a major cost driver
Steel Kegs: Most steel kegs used in American breweries are manufactured in Germany. The 25% tariff on finished steel products raises keg prices significantly
Key Ingredients: Canadian barley and malt—essential for many craft beer recipes—are now subject to tariffs. Similarly, fruits like raspberries sourced from Mexico face increased costs

These tariffs come at a time when imports of beer and brewing materials are substantial. In 2024 alone, beer imports to the U.S. totaled $7.5 billion, with Mexico accounting for $6.3 billion of that figure. The ripple effects of these measures are being felt across the supply chain.

Economic Impact on Craft Brewers

The financial strain imposed by these tariffs is already apparent:

Rising Costs:
- Breweries like Port City Brewing in Virginia report that their pilsner malt from Canada—essential to their recipes—is subject to a 25% tariff. Founder Bill Butcher estimates this could raise the price of a six-pack from $12.99 to $18.99
- Monument City Brewing in Baltimore predicts similar price hikes for their beers due to increased costs for aluminum cans and imported barley

Profit Margins Under Pressure:
- Small breweries often operate with tight margins, leaving little room to absorb cost increases. Decisions such as passing costs onto consumers or cutting profitability are becoming unavoidable
- Some brewers are stockpiling cans or switching packaging methods (e.g., painted cans instead of shrink-wrapped sleeves) to mitigate immediate impacts
Export Challenges:
- Canada, the largest foreign market for U.S. craft beer (accounting for 38% of exports), has retaliated with its own tariffs on American goods. Canadian consumers are boycotting U.S. beers, leading importers to cancel order.
- An Instagram post by Pints and Panels about Tariffs and Alcohol (courtesy of Em Sauter, of Pints and Panels)

Pennsylvania’s Brewing Scene: A Case Study

Pennsylvania has one of the largest craft brewing industries in the U.S., with over 400 breweries contributing significantly to local economies and communities. The state’s brewers are uniquely vulnerable to these tariffs due to their reliance on imported materials.

Material Costs:
- Breweries in Pennsylvania often use imported aluminum cans and Canadian malt, both subject to tariffs. These cost increases could force smaller brewers to raise prices or reduce offerings.
Competitive Pressure:
- Larger breweries like Molson Coors, which source materials domestically, may weather the tariffs better than smaller operations reliant on international supply chain. Pennsylvania’s independent brewers must innovate or risk losing market share.

Community Impact:
- With higher beer prices looming, consumers may opt for cheaper alternatives like hard seltzers or cocktails—a trend already encroaching on craft beer sales. This could hurt local breweries that rely heavily on loyal customer bases.

Broader Industry Challenges

The Liberation Day tariffs exacerbate existing issues within the craft beer sector:

Changing Consumer Preferences: Millennials and Gen Z are drinking less beer overall, favoring hard seltzers and ready-to-drink cocktails instead
Post-Pandemic Recovery: Many brewpubs are still struggling to rebound from COVID-19 closures and reduced foot traffic
Market Saturation: The number of breweries in the U.S. has grown rapidly over the past decade, leading to fierce competition for shelf space and consumer attention

A fun meme about Trump’s Liberation Day Tariffs and IPAs

What Lies Ahead?

Craft brewers are exploring strategies to adapt:

Localization: Emphasizing local ingredients and branding could help breweries differentiate themselves in a crowded market.
Innovation: Experimenting with new packaging methods or alternative ingredients may mitigate some tariff-related costs.
Advocacy: Industry groups like the Brewers Association are lobbying for clarity on tariff rules and potential exemptions for critical brewing materials

For Pennsylvania’s brewers—and craft beer makers nationwide—the coming months will be pivotal in determining whether they can weather this storm or whether these tariffs will fundamentally alter the industry.

Conclusion

Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs have introduced unprecedented challenges for America’s craft beer industry, threatening its affordability and accessibility while squeezing small businesses already operating on razor-thin margins. As brewers grapple with rising costs and shifting consumer dynamics, their resilience will be tested like never before.

For beer lovers across the country—and especially in Pennsylvania—the question remains: How much are we willing to pay for our favorite pint?

There is definitely a lot more to all of this, and it will be unfolding. The Brewer’s Association covered much of this here: Trump Administration Slapping 25% Tariffs on Canned Beer Imports and Empty Can Imports from Across the Globe.

From Perplexity

The “Liberation Day” tariffs announced by President Trump, which include a universal 10% tariff on all imports and additional targeted tariffs on specific goods and countries, are expected to have significant implications for the U.S. craft brewing industry, particularly in states like Pennsylvania.

Impact on Craft Brewing Industry

Increased Material Costs:
- The tariffs include a 25% levy on imported steel and aluminum, which are critical for the production of cans and kegs used by breweries. Many craft brewers rely on aluminum cans and steel kegs imported from countries like Germany, meaning these tariffs will raise production costs significantly

- Breweries that source ingredients such as barley, malt, or fruits from countries subject to reciprocal tariffs (e.g., Mexico) will face higher expenses, further straining their budgets
Market Challenges:
- With rising costs, some breweries may reduce their product offerings or shift packaging strategies, such as moving away from aluminum cans altogether. This could limit consumer choices and hurt smaller breweries that lack the resources to adapt quickly
- Export markets for U.S. beer may also shrink due to retaliatory tariffs from other nations, particularly Canada, which is a major importer of American craft beer. Losing access to this market could be devastating for breweries in Pennsylvania that rely on exports
Consumer Sentiment:
- Economic uncertainty stemming from these tariffs may lead to reduced consumer spending on discretionary items like craft beer. This is especially concerning as the industry is already facing challenges from shifting consumer preferences toward hard seltzers and cocktails.

Final Thoughts

The brewing industry is already in trouble, I don’t want to say ‘dire straits’, but it is getting there. Breweries are closing somewhat regularly (some recent examples: Butler Brew Works, IMBib, Bucket Brigade, Gateway, and Little Mutants). The ever growing costs of doing business, let alone a business with so many different and varying costs – such as restaurant costs, brewing costs, distribution costs, etc, etc, etc. The brewing business is also heavily regulated in all aspects, which also have costs. All of these are major factors. Add this to a declining market, and as we’ve been saying “the bubble has definitely burst” on the craft brewing industry. This almost feels like a death knell to many. And I think is why we saw an increase of closures in the past months, in anticipation of it all. With the next generation of drinkers not completely on board with the craft beer industry, the older and tiring out generation settling for hop water, non alcoholics, and other form of alcohols, the industry is certainly shrinking.

One hopes this won’t be a final nail, the coffin being closed. But unfortunately we can’t do anything but ride it out, and find out, and see what time shows us.

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

LAKEFRONT BREWERY AND HOFBRÄU MÜNCHEN UNITE FOR “BRÄU BUDDIES,” A LANDMARK COLLABORATION FOR BOTH BREWERIES

B. Kline — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:00:48 +0000

LAKEFRONT BREWERY AND HOFBRÄU MÜNCHEN UNITE FOR “BRÄU BUDDIES,” A LANDMARK COLLABORATION FOR BOTH BREWERIES

Over 400 years of German brewing tradition meets Milwaukee’s pioneering craft beer expertise in a transatlantic partnership.

LAKEFRONT BREWERY AND HOFBRÄU MÜNCHEN UNITE FOR “BRÄU BUDDIES,” A
LANDMARK COLLABORATION FOR BOTH BREWERIES

One of Germany’s most renowned breweries is joining forces with one of America’s premier lager producers to create a special collaboration brew: Bräu Buddies. Hofbräu München and Milwaukee’s Lakefront Brewery have partnered to craft a rustic German-style lager, featuring Vienna and Melanoidin malts that deliver a freshly toasted biscuit aroma, moderate sweetness, and a smooth, medium-light body.

The idea for Bräu Buddies was first conceived last year during a conversation between Lakefront, Hofbräu, and Julian Kegel of Kegel’s Inn, the historic West Allis-based German restaurant. Kegel was interested in a collaboration for their 100th anniversary. To formulate the brew, Lakefront Brewery’s Head Brewer, Luther Paul, traveled to Munich to develop the recipe alongside Hofbräu’s expert brewers to ensure a true-to-tradition rustic lager. Now, a year later, the much-anticipated brew is ready to hit the shelves. Starting this month, six packs will be available at retailers in Wisconsin, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.

Brau Buddies

Hofbräu München and Lakefront Brewery have had many local partnerships in the past. With the quality German-style beers that Lakefront has brewed, many of them were launched at the Old German Beer Hall or at the Estabrook Beer Garden with the support of owner and Hofbräu representative, Hans Weissgerber lll. A trusted relationship developed over the years between Lakefront and Weissgerber, who supported this collaboration and helped bring it to fruition.

“Collaborating with one of the world’s most legendary breweries is an incredible honor,” said Russ Klisch, Owner and President of Lakefront Brewery. “I consider this one of the most significant moments for our brewery.”

“Our Bräu Buddies collaboration represents the deep-rooted friendships that beer fosters – between breweries, between cultures, between two great brewing cities, and between the people who share it,” said Steve Ksycki, CEO of Hofbräuhaus of America. “This beer is a true symbol of what can be achieved when brewers come together, and we’re excited to get to do this with our friends from Lakefront.”

To celebrate this collaboration, Lakefront Brewery and Hofbräu München have teamed up with great Milwaukee establishments to mark the release of this collaboration:

Friday, April 4th – The Old German Beer Hall will tap a complimentary keg of Bräu Buddies for patrons, starting at 6 PM.
Saturday, April 26th – Kegel’s Inn will feature Bräu Buddies at Bock Fest, a signature celebration of German beer culture.
Saturday, May 3rd – The Estabrook Park Beer Garden celebrates the 2025 season with its annual Maifest Weekend and Grand Opening Celebration May 2 through 4. Lakefront and Hofbräu Munich Breweries will tap a wooden keg of their first ever collaboration beer, Bräu Buddies, at noon on Saturday May 3rd. Enjoy free beer from the keg while it lasts!

The Lakefront Brewery Beer Hall will serve Bräu Buddies throughout April and May, featuring an exclusive commemorative pint glass created for the collaboration. Guests can purchase and keep the glass with a Bräu Buddies full pour for $10. The glass will also be available for purchase without the beer.

For More Information on Lakefront Brewery

Lakefront Brewery, Inc. distributes its products to over 30 states, Ukraine, Canada, Sweden, and Denmark. Lakefront Brewery is the first brewery in Wisconsin and 22nd brewery in the world to be certified as a B Corporation. Lakefront Brewery also produced the first beer in the United States made from 100% in-state-grown ingredients, including a first-of-its-kind, indigenous Wisconsin yeast strain (Wisconsinite Summer Weiss), the first certified organic brewery and the first gluten-free beer granted approval by the U.S. Government (New Grist).
For more information, visit http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com

For More Information on Hofbräu München

Hofbräu München, founded in 1589 by the Duke of Bavaria, is one of Germany’s most historic and renowned breweries. Its legacy extends from the iconic Hofbräuhaus München beer hall to the famous Hofbräu tent at the Oktoberfest, both symbols of Bavarian beer culture recognized worldwide. Brewed exclusively in Munich and according to the German Purity Law, Hofbräu beers are now enjoyed across the globe, including a growing presence in the United States. As an import leader in the U.S. market, Hofbräu München continues to bring authentic German brewing tradition to American consumers, from retail shelves to beer halls and festivals.
For more information, visit https://hofbrauhausimport.us

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Liquid Hero and Gift Horse Join Forces

B. Kline — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 22:30:51 +0000

Liquid Hero Brewing Company and Brewery TeaHorse Brewing Join Forces

In yet another non-April Fools – April 1st news story – we have Liquid Hero Brewing and Gift Horse Brewing joining forces in Downtown York. A headline that seems perfect for April 1st; not too funny, not too edgy, not another “weird flavor concoction” brewery post; but no — this is no April Fools Joke. Liquid Hero and Gift Horse really are joining forces. Both breweries are located in downtown York, both breweries are trying to find their own way in the ever evolving scene of craft beer and craft brewing, with emerging new costs (like Trump’s Tariffs) and an in-general decline to the industry. Gift Horse Brewing is located at 117 N George St, York, PA 17401 and Liquid Hero Brewing is located at 251 N George St, York, PA 17401.

Liquid Hero Brewing and Gift Horse Brewing Teaming Up (courtesy of Trav Zak)

The Announcement

Earlier today on social media, Liquid Hero and Gift Horse both posted this message:

Liquid Hero and Gift Horse Join Forces

Liquid Hero Brewery, a production brewery with a restaurant location in York City, PA, and Gift Horse Brewing Company, a brew pub and beer garden also located in York City, PA have entered into a collaborative relationship to strengthen their respective brewing endeavors.

In May of 2024, Liquid Hero opened a restaurant location at 251 N George Street, just a few doors down from Gift Horse’s successful brewpub and beer garden location. Several months after opening the restaurant, Gift Horse tapped Liquid Hero to provide brewing and packaging services whereby Liquid Hero, out of their 50 E North Street brewery location, brews and packages several Gift Horse beer brands.

After several months of this collaborative relationship, both Liquid Hero and Gift Horse saw a mutually beneficial opportunity; to expand this relationship to allow Liquid Hero to focus on their new restaurant endeavor and to allow Gift Horse to continue to grow their brand. The resulting opportunity will transfer ownership of Liquid Hero’s brewing equipment only, over the next several years, to Gift Horse. This will bring all production and packaging of all Liquid Hero beer and all Gift Horse beer under one roof at 50 E North Street. Liquid Hero will continue to independently operate their restaurant at 251 N George St and their beer will continue to be produced by the same hands and on the same equipment at 50 E North Street.

Over the next few years, Gift Horse has plans to brew additional brands of beer at 50 E North Street and make the brewery a brewing production hub for both local and regional breweries. Offering contracting services of 7bbl, 10bbl, 15bbl & 30bbl batches and utilizing our canning/packaging systems to be able to provide support to breweries of all sizes. Meanwhile, Liquid Hero will continue to grow their restaurant and will also continue to produce and distribute their beer locally.

Liquid Hero Brewery started in October of 2011 at its original location at 50 E North Street. In May of 2024, they opened a second location as a restaurant at the corner of N George Street and E North Street. After opening the second location, Liquid Hero shut down the brewpub at 50 E North Street and used this location only as brewing operations as well as space for private events.

Gift Horse Brewing Company opened in August of 2018 at its current location at 117 N George Street. In 2019, Gift Horse expanded into the open lot next door and created a 6,000 sq ft outdoor beer garden complete with a 35-seat full service outdoor bar and enough space to accommodate over 150 people. Gift Horse has quickly become a community hub hosting numerous events and fundraisers while focusing on complimenting Downtown York’s vibrant Art’s and Entertainment scene.

Our joint commitment to Downtown York, York County and the region as a whole is to continue to produce quality products and help Central Pennsylvania remain at the forefront of the Craft Brewing Industry.

–Gift Horse Brewing Facebook Announcement

(I will also link the full text image they posted later in the article.)

As you can see in this map (Downtown York) – Liquid Hero Brewing and Gift Horse Brewing are just 0.2 miles apart, or 1 minute driving (according to Google; though getting in your car, in and out, traffic, parking, etc……). Gift Horse Brewing is located at 117 N George St, York, PA 17401 and Liquid Hero Brewing is located at 251 N George St, York, PA 17401. Via walking its listed as 4 minutes according to Google Maps.

Given the current environment of the craft brewing industry, and the sheer and steady decline of breweries not just across the state, but nationwide, this sounds like a very promising way to keep both businesses afloat. Just earlier today we announced Butler Brew Works will be closing “indefinitely”. This also looks to be a boon for the smaller breweries in the region, with the capacity to lease their contracting services and the canning lines as well. So we’ll see how that plays out with distribution for other breweries. This can also be an end to help meet financial goals for both of these breweries as well. Sounds like a three-way win to us. (And who doesn’t like three way wins?)

We will keep everyone updated with future information.

Gift Horse and Liquid Hero Announcement

For More Information on Liquid Hero Brewing Company

The following comes via Untappd.

Liquid Hero Brewery is listed as a micro brewery from York, PA. They have 160 unique beers, and over 62,000 ratings with a global average rating of 3.63 (as of 4.1.25). Their Untappd description reads: “Micro Brewery and brewpub located in downtown York, PA. ”

You can find them at these social media platforms:

Liquid Hero Brewing – Official Website
Liquid Hero Brewing – Facebook
Liquid Hero Brewing – Instagram
Liquid Hero Brewing – Twitter
Liquid Hero Brewing – Untappd

You can also read more about Liquid Hero Brewing here: Liquid Hero Brewery Opens New Spot.

For More Information on Gift Horse Brewing

The following comes via Untappd.

Gift Horse Brewing Company is listed as a micro brewery from York, PA. They have 86 unique beers and over 10,000 ratings with a global average rating of 3.61 (as of 4.1.25). Their Untappd description reads: “Gift Horse Brewing Company, located in the heart of downtown York City’s Market District, is within walking distance of an eclectic collection of restaurants, pubs, art galleries, venues and shopping options including the Historic Central Market House and four other awesome breweries. Downtown York boasts numerous options for enjoying the arts and entertainment including the Appell Center for the Performing Arts and People’s Bank Park (Home of the York Revolution Baseball Club). Our goal is to be a part of what makes our downtown area so wonderful and to help Downtown York City and South Central Pennsylvania become a craft beer destination. Treat yourself to a gift! ”

You can find them at these social media platforms:

Gift Horse Brewing – Official Website
Gift Horse Brewing – Facebook
Gift Horse Brewing – Instagram
Gift Horse Brewing – Twitter
Gift Horse Brewing – Untappd

Brewery News

Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, auctions, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Butler Brew Works Announces Taproom Closure

B. Kline — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:58:38 +0000

Butler Brew Works Announces Taproom Closure

It always has to be hard to make these kinds of announcements on April 1st; just due to the immediate “this has to be an April Fools Joke right?” comments and responses. But; alas, no… this is no April Fools Joke. Today at 8:30 AM the Butler Brew Works Facebook announced that their tap room is closed until further notice. You can find their Facebook post here: Butler Works Announcement.

Butler Brew Works Social Media Announcement

Butler Brew Works Closed

You can read from their Facebook post here:

We apologize for any inconvenience, but our taproom will be closed until further notice.

-Butler Brew Works (Facebook Post)

As I alluded to above, most of the comments whirled around the “is this an April Fools Joke” with others refuting that – no – in fact its not. Despite Butler Brew Works not replying to the post themselves. There was one comment saying “not having a license can do that”, so I took a look to see, and found this: PLCB Status – Butler Brew Works. According to the PLCB; all four of their liquor licenses have expired. Two were for Brewery Storage, one was for a Brewery, and one was for a Brew Pub. All four have expired, with their last two expiring (Brewery Storage and Brewery) on December 31st, 2024. Meaning from January 1st until March 31st of this year they were operating without a license.

Their main brewery location was: 101 S Main St, Butler, PA 16001.

Their taproom location in Valencia was located at: 5031 Adair Ave, Valencia, PA 16059.

Both are already listed as “Permanently Closed” on Google Maps.

So it would indeed seem its hard to keep your tap room open when you do in fact not have a license.

Without operating with one for several months, and most likely getting caught and thus the shut down, I would hazard a guess that it might be quite a while til they re-open (if they do). We will keep you updated when we get more news.

More Information on Butler Brew Works

The following comes via Untappd.

Butler Brew Works is listed as a micro brewery located in Butler, PA. They have 219 unique beers and over 40,900 ratings with a global average rating of 3.74 (as of 4.1.25). Their Untappd description reads: “7bbl brewpub in Butler PA brewing adventurous ales.”

You can find them on these social media platforms:

Butler Brew Works – Official Website
Butler Brew Works – Facebook
Butler Brew Works – Instagram
Butler Brew Works – Twitter
Butler Brew Works – Untappd

Brewery News

Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, auctions, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

B. Kline - The Beer Thrillers

Beer Review: Chewbacca (Rotunda Brewing Company)

Beer Review: Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company

The Beer Review: Chewbacca by Rotunda Brewing Company

Appearance

Aroma

Taste

Mouthfeel

Overall Impressions

Wrap Up

All of Our Nerd Content

Thank You For Reading

Human Robot Shutting Down Schuylkill Banks and Opening New Taphouses

Human Robot Shutting Down Schuylkill Banks and Opening New Taphouses

The Announcement

Human Robot Brewery Expands: New Locations in Brewerytown and New Hope

Human Robot Brewery Takes Over Crime & Punishment’s Former Space

What to Expect at Human Robot Girard

Expansion Continues: New Hope Location Set for Summer

Human Robot’s Growth and Legacy

The End of an Era for Crime & Punishment

See Also

For More Information on Human Robot

Brewery News

Thank You For Reading

Beer Review: Admiral (J Henry Barrel Aged Grand Stout) (Delta Beer Lab)

Beer Review: Admiral (J Henry Barrel Aged Grand Stout) (by Delta Beer Lab)

Beer Review

First Impressions

Appearance

Aroma

Flavor

Mouthfeel

Overall Impressions

Perfect For:

Why Seek Out The Admiral?

Pro Tip:

Ratings

All of Our Nerd Content

Thank You For Reading

The Battle of the Breweries 2025 Champion Is…

The Battle of the Breweries 2025 Champion is…

Allusion Brewing Company

Finals Breakdown

List of Champions

For more information on the past winners

For More Information on Allusion Brewing Company

More of Our Articles About Allusion Brewing Company

Battle of the Breweries 2025 Links

Rules, Guidelines, List of Competitors

Voting Pages

Results Pages

Thank You

Thank You For Reading

Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery Announces Sudden Closure

Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery Announces Taproom Closure

The Announcement

For More Information on Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery

See Also

Brewery News

Thank You For Reading

The Battle of the Breweries 2025: Finals Fatal Four – Way

The Battle of the Breweries 2025: Finals Fatal Four – Way

Conference Champions

Apollo Conference

Cascade Conference

Liberty Conference

Zeus Conference

Finals Fatal Four Way

VOTE

Tournament Guidelines

Thank You For Reading

Trouble Brewing: How Trump’s Liberation Day Tariffs Are Impacting Craft Beer

Trouble Brewing: How Trump’s Liberation Day Tariffs Are Impacting Craft Beer

The Tariffs Explained

Economic Impact on Craft Brewers

Pennsylvania’s Brewing Scene: A Case Study

Broader Industry Challenges

What Lies Ahead?

Conclusion