The Italian word levante means to rise up or to ascend. Eric Santostefano and Tim Floros, founders of West Chester’s Levante Brewing Company, chose this word to represent their brewing dream because they truly believe that the flavors of craft beer should be elevated. In fact, the brewery’s motto is “Elevate your Craft.”
Eric and Tim began their brewing journey a little more than seven years ago at Tim’s apartment in Rosemont. They started out brewing 5-gallon batches of homebrew, much to the delight of their friends and family. As their passion for homebrewing grew, so did their expertise and recipe development. Four years ago, they designed a business plan and began to gather investors. It has taken a bit of time but, finally, Levante Brewing Company is ready to share their lovingly crafted beer with West Chester and beyond.
Levante’s doors opened up in February while the brewery was still under construction. Originally, they were brewing on very small 1-barrel equipment, but a brand new 15-barrel system is almost ready to be put into use.
Levante has a roster of beers that encompasses a variety of styles. They have a few year-round beers they refer to as their solid ales, including The Chief IPA, Norseman English Ale, Pallido Pale Ale and Bianco Belgian Wit. Additionally, Levante produces several seasonal and specialty beers such as Chocolate Stout, Ranger Rye and LevantOberfest.
Levante is proud to obtain some of their malts from local maltster Deer Creek Malthouse. In their quest to keep their beer as local as possible, they have even picked some hops from Deer Creek’s farm in the hopes of creating an all-West-Chester-ingredient beer in the future.
Currently, Levante is open Fridays from 4–10 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. The tasting room is family friendly during the day with a few games, like bean bag toss, for kids to play while parents enjoy a beer. You can even bring Fido along, as long as he is friendly and on a leash. Levante gives each dog a free homemade spent-grain treat, too!
If you are hungry, there is often a food truck parked outside or head next door Saturday afternoons to Artisan Exchange to grab a bite to eat. Additionally, patrons are welcome to bring in other food.
The tasting room has beautiful oak picnic tables and a bar that adds a rustic note to the industrial set-up. The tables and bar were custom crafted by Eric’s stepfather, Chuck Haley. Tours aren’t currently regularly scheduled, but one of the staff will happily show you around if you ask and the brewery is able to accommodate. Regular tours are a big part of Levante’s plans, though. They hope to become a true destination brewery as they grow.
If you can’t make it out to the brewery to get a taste, you can find Levante’s beers on tap at West Chester’s Side Bar and Vudu Lounge in High Street Caffe and in Downingtown at Station Taproom. With their newly increased capacity, expect to find their beers at more local restaurants and bars soon.
Ready to help Levante celebrate their official grand opening? Join them Saturday, August 8, for a day filled with beer, food, music and a few surprises!
Both the Fresh Truck and Lulu’s Cafe on the Go will be in the parking lot for tasty local food to pair with Levante’s beers. Musician Chris Lebresco will be playing from 3–8 p.m.
Besides their regular line-up of beers, Levante promises there will be some limited-release offerings that will only be available at the grand opening. Get a sip before it’s gone!
Find Levante Brewing Company at 208 Carter Dr., Ste. 2, in West Chester.
Photos: Ronna Dewey
