Tattered Flag Brewery and Distillery in Middletown, PA

Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works Sold to California-Based Tower Investments: A New Chapter for Middletown’s Historic Brewery

The beloved Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works, a (former) staple of Middletown’s craft beer and spirits scene, has officially changed hands. California-based Tower Investments, operating locally as Middletown South Union Street, LLC, has purchased the historic property at 1 S. Union Street, according to Dauphin County deed records. This sale marks a significant moment for the community, as Tattered Flag was more than just a brewery; it was a gathering spot that held a special place in the hearts of local craft beer enthusiasts.

July 28th, 2023 Tattered Flag Brewery and Distillery announced their closure. It was announced that it was for sale (and was actually up for sale before the announcement of its closure). (Tattered Flag Brewery and Distillery For Sale.) After a while of being unable to sell the business, Tattered Flag Brewery and Distillery Ended Up For Auction. They went on the auction block in May 2024.

According to Nik Sgagias of NAI CIR, Tower Investments is actively seeking tenants for the space, hinting at possible new beginnings for the 13,000-square-foot property. Tattered Flag, known for its veteran-owned roots and innovative brews, closed its doors on October 1, 2023, following a public auction in June. The auction had a starting bid of $275,000, highlighting the historic and commercial appeal of this full-service restaurant, brewery, and distillery space.

The story of Tattered Flag began in 2015 when military veteran Pat Devlin and friends from Susquenita High School took on the massive renovation of the former Elks building. They transformed the two-story structure, which previously held three storefronts and a meeting room, into a unique brewpub and distillery, blending community spirit with a passion for craft beer and cocktails.

Over the years, Tattered Flag expanded to various locations, including taprooms in Lancaster, Gettysburg, and Derry Township. Unfortunately, these expansions—coupled with challenges from the pandemic, inflation, and labor shortages—eventually led to financial strain, and the decision to close the business was made earlier this year. The original Middletown location, however, remained a cherished landmark for both locals and visitors.

While Tower Investments has yet to comment on future plans, the company’s focus on real estate development suggests the property will likely find new life soon. Tower is a family-owned company specializing in real estate investment and development, with experience transforming properties across the country.

As Middletown awaits the next chapter for this historic location, locals can look back fondly on the memories made at Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works, and many of us will be watching to see what the future holds for this beloved space in the heart of our community.

You can find out more about Tower Investments by checking out their website here: Tower Investments.
See our full historical review and look at Tattered Flag Brewery and Distillery here – A Look at Tattered Flag Brewery and Distillery.

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020, marks the final day of Cox Brewing Company‘s current location and brewery and taproom. But its not the final chapter for the veteran owned brewery.

Their new taproom has been in the works for a while now and despite all the difficulties of 2020, it is finally due for its grand opening on September 4th, 2020, at 5:00 PM. The new taproom is located at 50 Veterans Drive in Elizabethtown.

As per Cox Brewing Company’s website there is some rules to visiting the new taproom on opening day (primarily due to COVID-19 guidelines by the state), a brief summary is here:

“Briefing: When you plan to visit, please enter through the main entrance (not the patio door) and as always, please wear your mask while not seated at your table. Anyone who has dined out recently knows that any customer who wishes to consume alcohol on premises must also purchase a meal. Being neighbors with PizzAtown makes this very easy.

Customers can go order their meal at the PizzAtown counter or use their smart phone to order take-out online and eat it at your table with your pint or flight. This will ensure the state guidelines are being met, it’s much appreciated! Check out this article from Breweries in PA on visiting protocol.” (Cox Brewing Company’s Website).

The new taproom is a big step up for the veteran owned brewery. The new taproom is set-up to be a much bigger improvement upon their old location. As per their website, the new tap room will boast: ““the new space will have a 20-foot bar, a dedicated stage for live music, a bunker, outdoor patio, and delicious menu options on the property from our friends at Pizzatown.”

The ‘old’ facility in Rheems is closing on Wednesday September 2nd, 2020 and was the home base for the brewery for the past several years. I (B. Kline) had gotten to visit it a few times, once being their 2nd Anniversary party, which was a complete blast. The old Rheems location was a garage and was an intimate, Cheers like place where people knew everyone, and everyone knew everyone, much like many hometown breweries in the Central PA area. It will be missed, but the new location looks to be offering a lot that the old place could not and will be a massive step up for the brewing company.

The old location was the home base since 2015, and has served the brewery well. Cox Brewing Company started in 2015 and has been located there since the beginning. Cox Brewing Company is a veteran owned brewery and in the five years since they’ve opened, as been one of the highly regarded Central PA breweries, making some extremely delicious beers over the years.

Their Untappd page reads: “Cox Brewing Company (CBC) is a veteran-owned brewery located in Elizabethtown, PA in the village of Rheems.”

On opening day (Friday) the beer lineup for Rally Point (as per their website on 9.1.20) looks to be as such:

• Liberty Lager
• 82nd Amber Ale
• CH-47 IPA
• Fat Cow Coffee Porter
• Cryo Citra
• Tropic Lightening
• IP-X
• Clockwork Oranjse
• The Big Red One
• SR71
• Worthog Wit
• 17022

An impressive lineup for their opening day that I can’t wait to personally dive into. They will be offering flights and drafts on Friday, so you will definitely be able to get your fill! I know I’ll be there Friday, and can’t wait.

Cox Brewing Company on their Facebook page posted the following about their last day in Rheems tomorrow – September 2nd, 2020:

“Just a quick reminder we’re open tomorrow in Rheems for our last night up on the hill. We’ll be pouring take-out only. There will be an off-premises location open if you decide to hang out for a bit. #veteranownedandoperated, #gratitude#community#goodtimes#rheems ##CBC#elizabethtownpa#coxbrewingcompany#craftbeer#customerexperience#pabreweries#pacraftbeer#pabreweries#drinklocal#coxbrewingcompany#cbc#lancastercounty#veteranowned“

The hours for the new location will be:

• Wednesday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Friday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Saturday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• (Monday and Tuesday: Closed)

For more information, you can follow Cox Brewing Company on their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. As well as check out their personal website – Cox Brewing Company Homepage.

For more information: Grand Opening: Rally Point, September 4th. (Breweries in PA)

Be sure to follow us here at The Beer Thrillers by clicking the subscribe and follow buttons below. Leave any comments you wish, we always love hearing from you all and will respond. Let us know if you are planning on coming out tomorrow for the Rheems’ location’s last day or if you are coming out Friday for the grand opening; I’m (B. Kline) planning on stopping out both days.

Make sure also to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, as well as our YouTube page which will be starting up shortly. You can find the links for these at the top of each page on our blog here, as well as a link to our Facebook group as well.

And make sure to check out the other grand openings, closings, and brewery news pages as well to keep up to date.

Cheers everyone and hopefully see you in E-Town on Friday!

-B. Kline