The good news for PA craft beer lovers is that breweries in Pennsylvania are constantly expanding. And adding to that growth is the Free Will Brewing brand as they plan to expand to the Broad Theater in Souderton.
As it was originally reported in 2018, the Broad Theater was purchased after having been shut down since 2006. The 100-year-old theater will re-open with two screens focusing on classics, independent and art house films.
We recently spoke with Free Will owner John Stemler to discuss what guests can expect from the new location. “We feel the partnership with the theater will be a unique experience for the region’s customers. There really isn’t anything quite like it anywhere in the area.” Stemler said.
The Free Will taproom will be found inside the lobby of the theater. Stemler noted that the location will be “off to one side in a manner that makes you feel comfortable to hang out for a while before a movie or just for a beer or two.” You can think of the space as a stand-alone tap room paired with a movie theater. “Customers will be able to pass between the theater space and an adjacent restaurant that is BYOB,” Stemler added.
Guests won’t be required to watch a movie to grab a beer. The taproom will be accessible without requiring a movie ticket. However, Stemler did say that the new pairing may result in special beer collaborations. “Having a movie-themed beer and label specifically for the theater sounds cool.”
Much like their other two locations in Perkasie and Peddler’s Village, this space will offer more than just beer. They will have offer local wine, cider, and a small cocktail list from PA producers. That’s not all. Like the other locations, this space will also be involved in the can releases that Free Will has become known for.
For Free Will, this space was a no brainer. “Aside from the shared space with the concessions and access to the neighboring restaurant via a hallway, Northbound is right up the street and offers great food, beer, and Boardroom Spirits cocktails. We are looking to complement their offerings so that customers can have different experiences available to them when they come to visit Souderton.”
The location is expected to open in 2020. Construction is still ongoing, and you can see it all firsthand by visiting Broad Theater’s Facebook page.
