Over the past decade, Phoenixville has steadily cemented itself as a premier craft beer destination in the Philadelphia metro area. In fact, the town boasts more breweries per square foot than any other town across America. Old favorites, like Sly Fox, have been joined by exciting newcomers, like Root Down and Rec Room by Conshohocken Brewing Co., keeping locals happily suds-ed up, and giving out-of-towners plenty of reasons to visit.
This booming beer scene is about to welcome another addition: Steel City Coffeehouse, the popular cafe and live music venue in the heart of Phoenixville’s downtown, has just announced that it will be adding a nano brewery to its offerings! Owners/operators Laura Vernola-Simpson and Ed Simpson say that they have hired Seth Clearwater, a multiple-medal-winning brewer and Phoenixville resident, as head brewer for this new operation, and they have broken ground on the tiny brewery, which will be tucked into the coffeehouse space. Mid-November of 2018 is the target date for the operation to be up and running.
Clearwater (isn’t that a great name for a brewer?!) will be putting out a steady rotation of beers inspired by the pubs of England and the beer halls of Germany. The brews will be offered via three taps at Steel City, and will include a signature coffee stout brewed with Hobo Ed’s Artisan Coffee. Guests will be able to order beer by the glass, and growler fills will also be available to take home.
Seth Clearwater
“We’re not going to be a ‘beer bar,'” Clearwater says. “This is still a café, coffeehouse and listening room. But it’s going to be a café, coffeehouse and listening room with some of the best beer you’ll find anywhere in the Philadelphia area.”
Josh Weikert, an internationally renowned beer writer who is contributing editor of Craft Beer & Brewing magazine, and a two-time Eastern Pennsylvania Homebrewer of the Year, will join Clearwater in a supporting role.
“I’m unbelievably excited for what we’ll produce,” Weikert says. “Our intention is not to compete with the existing beer scene. It’s already fantastic. But, what we are setting out to do is bring a personal, approachable craft beer experience that you probably won’t find in a dedicated brewery. We’re offering a unique gateway for soon-to-be-beer-lovers and beer geeks, alike.”
Follow along with Steel City’s brewery progress on Facebook and Instagram, and keep an eye out later this fall for its first batch of beers to roll out!
Find Steel City Coffeehouse at 203 Bridge St. in Phoenixville; phone: (484) 924-8425.
- Feature photo: Jackie Botto
- Seth Clearwater photo: Steel City Coffeehouse
