Rural City Beer Company is coming soon to Reamstown, with an estimated opening of the second half of November. The brewery is located at 6 North Reamstown Road in Reamstown, PA, in what is the former Union Barrel Work Brew Pub.
Recently, we spoke with brothers Ben and James Burton, who are both co-owners and brewers, to get all the details.
BIPA: What stage are you currently in?
RCBC: Currently, we have our licensing and we are just waiting for the final permitting that is still in the works.
BIPA: How did you become initially interested in craft beer? Who is all involved in the brewery?
RCBC: We both started home brewing, James in 2008, and Ben in 2010, and we both worked at breweries in PA. James worked at Swashbuckler, and Ben worked at Chatty Monks, and more recently Mad Chef.
James has been brewing more traditional styles and lagers at Swashbuckler, and Ben has been brewing a wide range, including IPAs and fruited sours at Mad Chef.
(Photos courtesy of Rural City Beer Company.)
BIPA: What styles of beers will you focus on?
RCBC: Since Ben makes a lot of sours and IPAs, and James makes more traditional styles, we will have a mix of both traditional and newer styles. We will have a good variety and something for everyone!
BIPA: Can you describe the space you are opening?
RCBC: We are opening in a building that was built in 1911. It started as Leshers Hardware store and changed hands a few times. Most recently it was the Union Barrel Works Tap House. The building itself has 3 floors, and we are using the first right now, with the other floors being in later phases. We have about 7,000 sq/ft on the first floor, with a rough occupancy of 150 people.
At the bar, we can seat around 15-20 people, with 11 taps serving beer. We are also building a high-top bar behind the main bar, and that can have another 8 or so. The interesting thing is the bar is separated from the main restaurant room, and the brewery is in between.
We are going for a “local comfortable feel” and not a warehouse or industrial. The building’s original zinc tin ceiling and big oak antique bar were kept in place too. Local and family artists will also be doing some inside and outside art pieces on the walls.
Currently, we have a 15 BBL brewhouse with our 15 BBL fermenters, two 30 BBL fermenters, and 1 30 BBL brite tank. We are looking to get more in the future. We have a small bottling line for some specialty bottle releases after we open, and we are looking into mobile/contract canning in the future. We will have crowlers to go to start when we open.
BIPA: Will there be food offered?
RCBC: Our goal is to open with food. We have a pretty decent-sized kitchen and are waiting for it to get permitted. We are aiming to have a mall menu to start with “local and laid back” pub food. We also want our menu to be changing somewhat seasonally, and use as many local businesses for ingredients as possible.
BIPA: Anything else our readers should know about the Rural City Beer Co.?
RCBC: Yes a few things! We have a mug club up right now if people would like to join, and you can “buy the brothers a beer”. Our mug club is a lifetime membership, and lots of things are included. It’s more of a direct connection to the brewery itself.
By springtime, we are working to get zoning for a patio and sidewalk seating. We also have lots to do in the area. We are close by the turnpike, have a local park nearby for events we can run (volleyball, skate park, concerts).
We will also be a part of the Lancaster county brewers guild once we open!
Make sure to follow Rural City Beer Company on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news. Breweries In PA will follow up once the brewery is ready to open!
