“It’s been a year and I really don’t know where the time went,” says Jossy (Jocelyn) Osborne, who co-owns and runs the “place where everybody knows your name,” Kennett Brewing Company, with husband/brewer/craftsman Mark. “The effort to get the pub up and running has been a long and challenging journey, but the enthusiasm for our venue has been encouraging in the community. So here we are one year later and still going strong.”
Executive chef John Gray came on board about seven months ago and began tinkering with the existing menu. A local home-grown master of creating the kind of bistro-pub fare that people just can’t get enough of, he recently included a few additional comfort food dishes while incorporating a new kitchen smoker.
He’s taken the one-size-fits-all flatbread and made it more of a build-your-own—with toppings like sausage, short rib, smoked ham and a slew of local vegetables. He introduced seasoned crab cake sliders that are served on brioche rolls with spicy New Orleans-style remoulade (1 for $6, 2 for $11) and cheesesteak egg rolls ($10) with shaved tender rib-eye and melted cheeses, which is served up with Sriracha brown sugar ketchup.
We sampled the new Tuscan meatball dish ($9), five decent sized house-ground balls of angus steak, beef short rib, pork loin and hickory smoked bacon blended with chunks of charred tomato, roasted red pepper and onion—all pooled in a blush cream sauce topped with grated romano cheese. The mix of the tomato-based sauce, cheese and beef held up well when paired with the house Ploughman Porter (ABV 5.3%) suggested by barkeep extraordinaire Ivan Harden (who’s been here since opening). The English style brown malt gave a deep burnt chocolate note with a warm fig-like finish.
We moved quickly to the angus meatloaf slider (1 for $5, 2 for $10), which was layered just right with a thick juicy slice of meatloaf covered with gooey cheese then drizzled with smoked buffalo bacon hollandaise on a brioche roll for the perfect bite of homestyle goodness. Our barkeep offered us a sip of a much lighter and more fruit based Head Skull Mind Beer (ABV 7%), which paired surprisingly well and left us refreshed with its light fruits of apple and peach and just the right zing.
For those looking to step outside the proverbial brew box (why?) we’d like to recommend the refreshingly bubbly house-made sodas ($3.50) using elderflower, lavender, green tea and a plethora of fresh herbs and fruit.
The vibe of the place has changed little since opening last year, although more subdued lighting has been added that elicits an intimate and warm ambience. More skull and logo art adorns the walls—which should scare us, but doesn’t. The copper-topped bar is a masterpiece of metalwork designed by Mark and is a must-see. “Copper looks warm, is easy to take care of and is antimicrobial,” boasts Mark.
The crowd here ranges from know-it-all hipsters to remember-it-less boomers and everyone in between—and they all get along. Which is all we can ask for in a small town like this. Thanks for making the borough just a little bit tastier Kennett Brewing Company—and Happy Anniversary!
Celebrate all week long with food and drink specials while swaying with some fantastic music by Mason Porter, The Sermon, Jack Marshall, Joe Hillman and Nick DiSebastian. Be sure to stop on by the one-year block party on Tuesday, June 21, from 3–11 p.m. for music (starting at 5 p.m.), food and stuff for the kids, too.
Parking is available (and free after 5 p.m. and weekends) in the Library/Post Office lot adjacent to KBC. Or park in the municipal parking garage (at E. State and N. Union Sts.) and enjoy a short walk through the beautiful borough.
Find Kennett Brewing Company at 109 S. Broad St. in Kennett Square; phone: (610) 444-0440.
- Photos: Ed Williams
