After nearly six years in Hammonton, New Jersey, Chimney Rustic Ales officially closed the doors of its original brewery on June 14, 2025. The beloved craft brewery now sets its sights on a new chapter in Philadelphia, with plans underway to open a new location at 2157 E. Lehigh Avenue in the Port Richmond neighborhood.
The new 5,000-square-foot Philadelphia location will feature a taproom with indoor and outdoor dining with a capacity of 150 guests. The opening is targeted for late 2025, offering a new home for both longtime fans and a broader urban audience. We recently spoke with Owner and Brewer Dan Borrelli, who shared some insights on what to expect.
“We’re still in the early stages of construction and a few months out from being able to start brewing. Licensing hasn’t been a problem so far—we already have our federal license in place, and after dealing with New Jersey’s complex system, Pennsylvania’s process has been much smoother. My lawyer says it’s relatively straightforward, and in my experience, as long as you follow the requirements and don’t overcomplicate things, it usually goes pretty smoothly. The opening date is still up in the air. We’re at the mercy of the construction gods,” Borrelli said. “In my experience, once contractors and permits get involved, you can set a timeline—and then plan to triple it.”
“I like to take traditional German stuff and kind of brew it for the American palate, but I pride myself on being able to make anything interesting, including some killer hazies and some intriguing fruited sour stuff, but my personal preference is the European lagers. Our Belgian beers and barrel-aged stuff have always been the best-reviewed selections, but I think we do everything really well. We are using a modified 7-barrel brewhouse to fill our 30-barrel fermenters and plan to offer around 16 beers on tap, along with house-made seltzers and draft cocktails.”
Will there be food, and what can we expect? “Absolutely—we’ll have a full kitchen led by a chef from a James Beard award-winning restaurant. With my food truck background, we’re aiming to offer a thoughtful, well-rounded menu to complement the drinks. The goal is to create a welcoming space where everyone—families, friends, and even well-behaved pets—can relax, eat, drink, and have a great time.” We wish Dan Borelli the best of luck as he brings Chimney Beer to Philly. Be sure to follow Chimney Beer on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes looks, and the latest on its opening plans.
