Today, Feb. 3, 2020, Stoudts Brewing Company announced that its head brewer, Carol Stoudt, plans to retire and, with that move, the entire brewing operation will cease production by the end of the winter. This marks the end of an era for the first generation of Pennsylvania craft breweries.
Carol Stoudt opened Stoudts Brewing Co., along with her husband Ed, in 1987 when the microbrew movement was just starting to take shape in the U.S. She was the first female brewmaster since Prohibition, and made beers in an authentic German style. The 30-barrel brewhouse in Adamstown, PA, has grown over the decades to include a 70,000-square-foot antiques mall, restaurant and pub, an indoor/outdoor beer Garden, and an on-premise bakery and cheesemaking facility. Some of Stoudts’ iconic brands include Scarlet Lady Ale and American Pale Ale, which were, for many Pennsylvanians, their first taste of local craft beer. Stoudts was a leader in the Pennsylvania brewing industry, garnering a number of awards for its beers and hosting a number of annual events, like Microfest, which helped to strengthen the fabric of the community.
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Now, as Carol Stoudt prepares for retirement, she has decided to close the brewery.
“I did my part. Now it is up to the new generation to continue the tradition of innovation that defines craft beer,” she says. “This was a difficult decision to make, but we’re not moving enough volume to justify the expense of keeping the brewery open. However, we’re not closing the doors to any business opportunities that could help the Stoudts brand live on.”
Stoudts will scale down production and shutter by Spring 2020 to prepare the Brewery for sale. Word has is there is still a limited supply of beer for purchase and on tap in its brew pub. In the meantime, the Stoudts restaurant and pub will carry on, keeping up weekly events like trivia night and Sunday brunch, the Bier Garden will host weddings and events, and the bakery and antiques mall will remain open.
“Stoudts is more than a brand or a location,” says Carol. “We’ll just have to see what the future surprises us with.”
We wish Carol and the entire Stoudts family the best of luck in all future endeavors, and encourage you to keep supporting this beloved local institution through this transition!
Find Stoudts Brewing Co. at 2800 North Reading Rd. in Adamstown, Pennsylvania; phone: (717) 484-4386.
- Feature photo: Stoudts Brewing Co.
