As state lawmakers continue to pass laws making alcohol more accessible in Pennsylvania, the number of craft brewers also is bubbling up.
Boneshire Brew Works, a craft brewery on Derry Street in Swatara Township, will be the latest addition to the craft beer scene in Central Pennsylvania.
Boneshire, which has been in the works for more than a year, will hold its grand opening on Friday.
“It’s a huge relief to finally get our doors open,” said Alan Miller, one of the owners and brewmaster at the Dauphin County brewery.
Miller was one of the partners at Millbock, a small craft brewery that was open in Lower Paxton Township between 2011 and 2014.
Millbock was a home-based operation that never made more than 50 barrels of beer in a year. And both partners worked full-time jobs that they weren’t willing to give up at the time to expand the business.
Boneshire, operating in a small retail center, is a reset of sorts for Miller, who never lost his passion for brewing.
“I’m excited to be back brewing beer and getting a chance to see people drink the stuff I make,” he said.
To start, Boneshire offers three beer styles on tap, including a rye IPA, a Russian Imperial stout and a Belgian white ale. Other specialty beers will be worked into the rotation over the coming weeks, along with craft sodas, Miller said.
The initial plan is to open the 40-seat taproom Wednesday through Saturday. The hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Eventually, Miller intends to open on Sunday.
Once the brewery is able to get a handle on early in-house beer sales the impact those sales have on production, the goal is to start selling beer to other bars and restaurants, Miller said.
He also sees a helping hand in new beer distribution changes, which should take effect in early 2017 and will allow retail distributors to sell any quantity of beer they want.
“It allows us to put out smaller packaging and smaller runs of our products,” he said. “The smaller quantities will make it easier for folks to commit to our products. It will increase brand awareness and get our products known.”
Boneshire’s grand opening is slated for 5 p.m. Friday.
