Bright Path Brewing is coming soon to Jim Thorpe. The new brewery is opening up at 1215 North Street and has an estimated opening at the end of February 2022.
We recently spoke with co-owner and brewer Alex Franko, to see what beer fans can expect from the new brewery. See below for our Q&A with them!
BIPA: What’s in the name Bright Path Brewing?
Alex: Jim Thorpe’s Native American name “Wa-Tho-Huk” when translated to English, means “Bright Path”.
BIPA: What stage are you currently in?
Alex: Currently we are waiting for one last approval to open the taproom. We have beer available to-go in crowlers, and this week we will have 2 different brands in 12 oz – six-packs.
BIPA: How did you become initially interested in craft beer? Who is all involved in the brewery?
Alex: It’s myself, Alex Franko and my dad Guy Franko, and Dillon Smith and his dad Todd Smith. Dylan and I will be doing all the brewing.
Their brewing history:
Alex Franko has been brewing professionally for 10 years now. He most recently worked at Sly Fox. His brewing resume also includes Other Half, Lone Eagle Brewing, Dogfish Head, and Dock Street.
Dylan Smith has been brewing professionally for 5 years. He most recently worked at Lancaster Brewing. His brewing resume also includes Lone Eagle Brewing, as well as Cape Cod Brewing.
Alex: We will mainly be brewing session beer and lagers. Right now none of the beers we have are over 4.5% ABV, and the highest we will go will probably be 5.5% ABV. We are making these styles because these are what we want to drink.
BIPA: Can you describe the space you are opening?
Alex: Our building data back to the 1990s, and used to be a beer distributor on one side, and a liquor state store on the other. It’s 4,000 sq/ft with each side (one for the brewery, and one for the taproom) being 2,000 sq/ft.
We have a 10 BBL brewhouse with two 10 BBL fermenters and two 20 BBL fermenters. We also have two 20 BBL lagering tanks and a 20 BBL Brite tank.
For the taproom, we will have seating for around 30, with about 12 seats at the bar. We will have a standing ledge, as well as longer tables in the middle of the room. We will have 10 taps for beer and will be using all Lukr side-pull taps.
BIPA: Will there be food offered?
Alex: We won’t have a kitchen for food, but we will work to get food trucks on-site, and customers can bring food in if they would like.
