Once one of Philly’s most iconic beer names, the Gretz family brings their brewing heritage back to life, this time on a Chester County farm.

The name Gretz Brewing carries deep Philadelphia roots. From 1881 to 1961, the Gretz name stood for quality beer in the city, known for its signature “G” logo and the slogan “Made the old-fashioned way… slowly…naturally.” Now, over 60 years later, fourth and fifth generation descendants have revived the brand in Elverson, Pennsylvania, bringing that legacy back with a focus on lagers brewed the right way.

Founded as Rieger & Gretz in 1881 and then as William Gretz Brewing Company, the original Kensington brewery operated for decades before closing in the early 1960s. Yet the family never left the beer world, staying active in distribution and brewing through each generation.

Old World Methods On A Chester County Farm

Rather than opening in the city, Gretz Brewing has found its home on a working farm in Elverson, surrounded by open land and historic barns, which will become a future beer garden and taproom.

Phase one is all about production. Their 17-barrel Kaspar Schulz brewhouse, imported from Germany, features horizontal lagering tanks and is designed for traditional, naturally carbonated brewing. As Kyler told us, all their beer will be decocted, fermented cool, and lagered for a minimum of 6 weeks.

The brewery launched in October 2025 with two core beers:

• A House Lager inspired by old Philadelphia brewing traditions.
• A North German-style Pilsner, crisp and balanced.

For now, distribution is focused on Chester County and the greater Philadelphia suburbs, with taproom development planned for 2026.

“We wanted to start with a foundation built on patience,” says Kyler Gretz, formerly of Vault Brewing. “Lagers are unforgiving; you can’t hide behind hops or fruit or anything trendy. It’s just clean, balanced beer that takes time.”

Respecting The Past, Brewing For The Future

Every detail of Gretz Brewing nods to its heritage, from the revived “G” emblem to clean metallic cans that blend nostalgia with modern craft design.

“This isn’t just a comeback story,” says Kyler. “It’s about connecting generations. The name may be old, but the mission is timeless – make great beer with pride.”

Looking ahead, Gretz Brewing plans to open its farm taproom and beer garden in 2026, offering guests a place to enjoy their lagers overlooking the countryside. Distribution will continue expanding across the Philadelphia region and Main Line, with select draft accounts highlighting their beers.

New styles will join the lineup as well, still lager-focused, but with seasonal twists and specialty releases that highlight the depth of German brewing tradition. Although no specific date has been set, early conversations are already underway about a future restaurant concept in nearby Glenmoore.

Make sure to follow Gretz Brewing on Instagram for the latest beers and news!