This year marks Iron Hill Brewery’s 10th anniversary and to celebrate, the founders of the restaurant, Kevin Finn, Kevin Davies and Mark Edelson, came together for the first time ever to brew a new beer. The three created a Belgian-style Trappist ale, a strong brown ale with an alcohol content of at least 10 percent. This beer will be ready to taste on November 14, the day of Iron Hill’s 10th anniversary celebration. Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant is widely renowned for their original, full-flavored beers. Six beers are regularly on tap, including Iron Hill Light Lager, Raspberry Wheat, Pig Iron Porter, Lodestone Lager, Anvil Ale and Ironbound Ale.
Senior Jim Lynch said, “I love the selection of their microbrews.” In addition to their staples, Iron Hill also features one or two specials brews. Stop in this week to try Berlinerwisse, a German-style wheat ale or Oktoberfest, a Traditional German Festival amber lager.
Director of Brewing Operations, Mark Edelson said, “After 10 years, I’ve finally convinced my partners to join me in the brewhouse. [It will be] a significant occasion, because it’s our first attempt at this type of Trappist ale, and the first time the three of us have brewed together.”
To celebrate this milestone throughout the year, Iron Hill’s brewers will be brewing and bottling some of their award-winning libations, which will be available at all six Iron Hill restaurants, including West Chester’s location on the corner of Gay and High Streets.
Along with a New American cuisine menu, these beers make Iron Hill one of the most popular bars in West Chester. Speaking of the menu, Iron Hill features a variety of soups and salads and boasts creative versions of favorites, like Memphis Style Baby-Back Ribs, Crab and Shrimp Cakes and Hawaiian Spiced Ahi tuna. Looking for a recommendation? “The chicken wings are a good starter, and the Italian Sausage and Cheese pizza is a great entree,” says junior Pat Ruddy. “The Pig Iron Porter is my favorite beer, but I’m looking forward to trying the Oktoberfest next weekend.”
Founder and Operating Partner Kevin Finn said “I like Iron Hill because it’s a bar where you can sit and watch a game and just hang out. We take pride in creating a comfortable, casual, worry and hurry-free dining environment for our customers and feel that these simple standards are the key to our success.”
The first Iron Hill Brewery was established in Newark, Delaware. Named for a Revolutionary War landmark in Delaware, Iron Hill has had continued success over the years, leading to the opening of five more locations. West Chester, Media, Phoenixville, Wilmington and North Wales are the alternate locations, making it easy to find an Iron Hill near you.
Senior Eric Lewandowski said, “I love Iron Hill’s Light Lager…it tastes like Miller Lite, only better. There’s an Iron Hill in my hometown, so I can get their beer whether I’m at school or at home, and that’s fantastic.”
Iron Hill was featured in Main Line Today magazine and awarded 2006’s Best Microbrewery. Philadelphia Magazine voted them 2006’s Best Brewpub.
Enjoy some upcoming events with Iron Hill. The Caribbean Beer Dinner at Iron Hill is every day in September. For $19.95, two courses of island delicacies are served, including Hot Coconut Shrimp accompanied with the Anvil Ale and followed with Jamaican Jerk Salmon paired with Ironbound Ale. October 7 is the Kennett Brewfest, and you can visit www.kennettbrewfest.com for more information.
So head over to Iron Hill Brewery for one of their original, handcrafted beers and help them celebrate 10 years of successful brewing.