Some breweries are solely focused on the beer. Others? They’ve got stories steeped into the walls, wild histories in the soil, and buildings that feel like characters themselves. We’ve been on the hunt for spots where the setting is just as interesting as what’s in your glass—and we found exactly that at Riverside Brewing Company. Riverside Brewing is a standout destination in historic Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, perfectly situated along the beautiful French Creek, named the state’s 2022 “River of the Year” and a brewery we profiled from a past visit.
The brewery is built on the 32-acre property of the former Riverside Inn, which was destroyed by fire in 2017. Soon after, owners Jason and Deanna Howles purchased the land and embarked on an ambitious project. They relocated a massive 6,000-square-foot barn—a structure that once served as a stagecoach stop—from Cochranton. The barn was meticulously disassembled, transported, and reconstructed into the 350-seat pub and production facility that stands today, successfully preserving its original rustic character.
Since opening in July 2019, the brewery has rapidly expanded. Additions include a larger kitchen, drive-in cold storage, and a striking outdoor patio featuring a silo bar and live music stage, all designed to complement the barn’s cozy, historic aesthetic. Guests can dine on the patio overlooking the creek, explore the original inn’s gardens, or relax on the lawn with a cold craft beer.
At the heart of the brewery is a true farm-to-table philosophy, utilizing locally sourced ingredients. Owners Jason and Deanna Howles are also fifth-generation farmers, and this heritage directly shapes the menu. Jason Howles: “We have 110-120 head of beef cattle that we feed a perfect diet of spent brewery grain, hay, and corn to produce the ideal marbling in the beef we serve at our pub. We also sell the beef to take home right out of the brewery. We are fifth-generation farmers—that’s where our passion for the brewery came from.”
The family’s farming business, Howles Maple Farm (one of the largest maple sugar producers in the state), also infuses the menu and even some craft beers with their signature maple products.
Riverside Brewing Company is quickly becoming a regional favorite. The Howles have plans for new on-site event spaces and are considering opening outpost taprooms in cities like Erie and Pittsburgh.
Be sure to follow Riverside Brewing on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
