Whiskers Brewing will be opening soon in Newville. The new brewery is opening up at 9 South High Street and has an estimated opening of early March 2022.
The brewery will be the first establishment to bring alcohol back to Newville since 1939. We recently spoke with owner and brewer Dean Yaukey, to see what beer fans can expect. See below for our Q&A with them!
BIPA: What stage are you currently in?
Dean: All of our licensing is done, and so is all of the construction. Our beer is currently fermenting away!
We started the whole process back in July 2021. Newville has been dry since 1939, and in May 2021, the community voted to make it a wet town again, meaning alcohol can be served within the municipality again.
BIPA: How did you become initially interested in craft beer? Who is all involved in the brewery?
Dean: It’s myself and my wife Katie who are involved in the brewery.
I got into craft beer when I received a home brewing kit for Christmas one year. One year I went to Colorado and took a week-long course that famed brewer Tom Hennessey put on. I knew this was the future for me.
BIPA: Can you describe the space you are opening.
Dean: We are opening up in a two-story, 1,800 sq/ft building, that back in the 30s was a car dealership office. Most recently, about 10 years ago, it was a little general store.
The brewery and taproom will be on the first floor, and additional seating will be available on the second floor. In the taproom, we have a bar with seating for about 10, with 12 taps available, plus a cask ale on hand-pump!. We will have the capacity for just under 100 people and will have a dog-friendly beer garden outside.
Our brewhouse is a 2 BBL system that will allow us to rotate many different styles for beer fans. We will also have a small kitchen with what I call “low hazard food”, meaning we won’t have oil or anything fried. We will make flatbread pizzas and have appetizers such as soft pretzels and mozzarella sticks.
BIPA: Will you release crowlers/cans there as well?
Dean: We will have both crowlers and cans, and there will be some ready to go right away.
BIPA: What styles of beer will you focus on?
Dean: We will be doing a mix for the beer fans and non-beer fans, to try to get them into beer! Lighter lagers, a blonde ale, an Irish red, IPAs, a porter, and a brown ale are all styles that will be made.
BIPA: Anything else our readers should know about the Whiskers Brewery?
Dean: We want to take care of the pets too. We have brought our two bulldogs (Jingle and Nittany) to breweries a lot in the past, so we want to welcome other dog owners.
There will be water available for them, and some treats for the dogs (we are still figuring out what they will be). Also, the decor inside will be pet-oriented/themed, and many pet pictures are paintings that my daughter did.
