For those not familiar Columbia, Pennsylvania offers a rich history. The borough was originally founded in 1726 and most notably was a few votes short of being voted as the capital of the United States (move over D.C.).
One business that is keeping the history of Columbia, PA thriving is Starview Brews which recently opened on Locust Street. The 5,000 square feet, 3 barrel brewery is housed in what was once a tobacco warehouse that still keeps its historic charm to this day.
We recently spoke with Mike Knaub, owner and head brewer of Starview to understand more about his brewery and what he has planned for the future in Columbia.
Mike’s experience does not begin with Starview Brews. In fact, his brewing history is as almost as rich as the building his brewery resides in. He first began homebrewing in 1985 and would go on to produce his first IPA in 1993, modeling it after Sierra Nevada’s Celebration IPA. A few short years later Mike would go on to open a contract brewing company in 1995 called “Starview Brewing Compay” where he would produce beer for a wide variety of local businesses. He even set up space in his barn where he would teach others how to brew as well.
Fast forward all these years later and Mike has brought back the Starview brand in the form of his own craft brewery. A toolmaker by trade and hobby woodworker, Mike performed a lot of the work done to the brewery building himself. In that spirit, Starview features a 30-foot wrap-around bar that Mike handcrafted himself. It is made from an English walnut tree that Mike’s brother, Bill, cut down about 15 years ago about 3 miles from Mike’s home in Starview, PA.
Mike’s passion for beer lies in the German/ European styles, although he has won multiple homebrewing awards for a wide variety of styles. When he initially opened the brewery he offered five core beers; Long Level, Chickies Rock Cream Ale, Chickies Iron Brown Porter, Pinnacle Pilsner, and Columbian Red IPA (which is the same recipe he created back in 1994). In addition to these styles, he is planning an Alt, Witbier, and New England IPA.
But the beer isn’t all that will be produced at Starview. As Mike confirmed they recently hired someone to oversee an onsite kitchen. The plan currently is to have the kitchen up and running in the spring of 2022. And will feature flatbread pizzas, paninis, homemade soups among other items. As Starview says “our love of great food is almost as strong as our love of great beer.”
Get a look inside the brewery, as well as it’s deep history below (Pictures courtesy Starview Brews on Facebook):
