Michaux Brewing Company is coming to Waynesboro this summer. The new brewery will be opening at 11657 Buchanan Trail East, which sits at the edge of the beautiful Michaux State Forest.
We recently spoke with owners Dane and Lauren Murray to learn about their plans for the brewery once they open for beer fans this summer.
BIPA: What stage are you currently in?
Dane & Lauren: We are currently doing our buildout still, and our licensing is in safekeeping.
BIPA: How did you become initially interested in craft beer? Who is all involved in the brewery?
Dane: I’ve been homebrewing for a little over 12 years, and got really into it 3 years ago. I was trying any craft beer I could find, and wanted to focus on how I could make beers just like them.
Lauren: We both went to Penn State University. Instead of going to the popular bars, we went to a local deli that always had a ton of craft beer. From there, in the late 2000s, and early 2010s, we traveled out of state to get a hold of those hard-to-find beers.
BIPA: What styles of beers will you focus on?
Dane & Lauren: We want to make a mix of IPAs, sours, stouts, cleaner, classic lagers, and pilsners. The only styles we won’t make, at least to start, will be mixed culture beers and pastry stouts.
BIPA: Can you describe the space you are opening?
Dane & Lauren: We are opening up in a building dating back to 1946, that was originally a chestnut log cabin. The original structure is still in place, and has been added on to.
The inside of the taproom looks like a log cabin and used to be a dinner club, dance hall, and a family restaurant amount a few others things. Indoor we can accommodate about 99 people.
Total we will have about 6,500 sq/ft, with the taproom being 2,000 sq/ft, and the brewing space about 1,500 sq/ft. We will have a 16 seat bar with 12 taps, and a bar top made out of oak from an old barn. We will be brewing on a 5 BBL brewhouse, with 6 fermenters and 2 brite tanks.
Outside we are planning to make a patio eventually after we open. We are planning on seating for about 40. Down the road, once the building is done, we want to open up a fenced-in outdoor area with space for games for customers.
BIPA: Will you release crowlers/cans there as well?
Dane & Lauren: Yes we will be canning four-packs, and may use mobile canning in the future. Will will also fill crowlers and growlers.
BIPA: Will there be food offered?
Dane & Lauren: Yes we will have a kitchen. Our goal is to have a smaller curated pub menu with shareable items and appetizers, burgers, and flatbreads. Food will also be available for takeout as well.
BIPA: Anything else our readers should know about the Michaux Brewery?
Dane & Lauren: One of the big things about us is that we spend a lot of time outdoors. We love the region in south-central pa, it has a lot to offer, and that’s why we named ourselves after the forest. We want to continue building a craft brewing community and become partners with people who frequent the forest.
We will be doing a lot around outdoor activities, including partnering with the forest organizations. Things like trail runs and gravel rides are events we hope to help increase while also helping the forest groups themselves, either by awareness or donations.
Follow Michaux Brewing Company on Facebook and Instagram, and make sure to keep up with Dane and Lauren and the progress on the brewery!
