The brewing equipment was delivered to Maple Shade last Tuesday, but I’ve actually been slowly working on the project for  the past couple of months.  While still working as the brewer in West Chester, I was dedicating one day a week to getting the MS equipment ready for installation.

The first task was to completely set up New Jersey’s newest brewhouse in the Iron Hill headquarters.  It seemed a bit futile, because the brewery would eventually have to be disassembled in order to get it on the flatbed and move it from Wilmington to Maple Shade.  It is however, the only foolproof way to be sure I was getting an accurate picture of  what I would need to purchase in order to make it work, Iron Hill style. 

Every brewing company does things a little bit differently and how the equipment is set up is a big part of how they do things.  One thing I’ve learned about Iron Hill is that we learn a little every time we open a new location.  If you were to walk through the brewery of every location chronologically from Newark to Lancaster you would see an evolution of improvements along the way.  In other words after 12 years and 7 locations we’ve got a pretty good idea of what works for us.  Once the brewery was set up I took a look at it and assesed what was broken or missing and what would need to be changed. Whether it was to conform to our standard procedures or it was necesarry in order to fit into the footprint we had planned for it at the site, we were going to need some modifications.  Once that was done our welders and equipment manufacturers  were able to start working to get the parts ready in time for the brewery install.

The last step in assessing the brewhouse was to grab one of my old brewsheets and go through it minute by minute, making sure I could in fact do everything on this brewhouse that I had been able to do on a real live brew in West Chester.

The other part was just inventory.  Our warehouse a couple of months ago was a start up brewer’s candy store.  It was just filled with tanks, fittings, tools, and brewing sundries, but again, I had no way of knowing if everything I needed was there.  So I laid out every piece of stainless I could find and took an inventory of what I had and compared it to what I’d need tankwise.  Sixteen pressure relief valves, check.  Sixteen zwickles, check. Nine carbonating stones, check.

I had a pretty good idea of what I would need in my head, but then there are always those little things you don’t think of until you need them.  So one of the days I had dedicated to Maple Shade was actually spent in West Chester. I grabbed a cup of coffee and a clipboard and walked up to the front, right hand corner of the brewery and started writing down everything I could see.  I worked my way back until I was in the back left hand corner of the grain room with a cramped hand and pages full of chickenscratch.

Not the most exciting work and definitely not what I’d dreamed of as a starry-eyed apprentice brewer back at Dock Street.  But it was the best way I could think of to ensure I didn’t start brewing my first batch only to realize after mashing in that I didn’t have a hose to get the beer into the fermenter!  Not even McMaster-Carr can get me equipment that quickly!  

At the end of the day, cross-referencing my inventory prevented me from having to stay up at night worrying about what important piece of equipment I was probably forgetting.  I was able to go to bed and fall comfortably asleep, counting the imaginary  tri-clover fittings that floated one by one over my head.

I haven’t posted in a while and that’s because I’ve been busy building a new brewery.  For the past couple of weeks I haven’t really been a brewer I’ve been more of a construction worker.   Instead of working alongside other brewers, managers, chefs and servers I’ve been working alongside electricians, plumbers and carpenters.  Let me tell you, its been humbling.  I’ve realized how little I know about what it takes to build a business.  I’ve probably learned more in the past two weeks than I have in the last two years.  (No offense CBC!).

So since I can’t tell you about what I’m brewing (nothing right now) or what events I’m throwing (that will come New Jersey!).  I’ll let you know a bit about what has been and what is going on with the Maple Shade brewery.

In a way this project all started when we bought the equipment from the landlords of the former Independence Brewpub.  Sadly that brewpub went out of business.  Fortunately we were able to purchase the equipment to insure that it would continue making great beer for drinkers in the Philadelphia region.  It’s actually kind of a coincidence  that I’m going to be working on that equipment as I’ve already brewed a batch on it!  When Tim Roberts, formerly of Independence went on his honeymoon he didn’t have anyone to keep the tanks full while he and his new wife celebrated.  So I went in and brewed a batch and filtered another for him while he and Amy celebrated.  Tim’s a good friend and that was part of my wedding gift to him and Amy.  Don’t worry about Tim by the way, he’s now happily employed at the new Yard’s Brewery.

So for the better part of a year that equipment has sat in our headquarters in Wilmington.   We didn’t know exactly where it would wind up but we knew it would be in our 8th location.  A couple weeks ago I got in there and started getting it ready for our new spot in Maple Shade.  Hopefully you’ll enjoy my chronicle of the birth of our newest location.  And hopefully you’re looking forward to our grand opening as much as I am!

Cheers,

Chris

It’s official. I’m a full-time Maple Shade employee and Larry is a bona-fide West Chester brewer. Thanks to everyone who came out to wish us well last week. We both had a great time! These blogs will be in transition for a bit. I’ll still be managing this one and most of the content will be a chronicle of the Maple Shade construction and startup despite the West Chester address. The “beers on tap” however will still let you know what’s going on in West Chester. I’ll continue to update it as Larry keeps me posted on what kicks, what goes on tap and what he’s got in the tanks. Soon enough we’ll get the addresses all swapped around and this site will be telling you what’s on tap in New Jersey!

Cheers,

Chris

It is my bittersweet duty to inform those of you who don’t already know that I will be leaving you in less than a week.  Iron Hill is opening up location number eight in Maple Shade, New Jersey.  I’ll be the guy at the tanks (and in the tanks).  It’s hard to believe that I’ve been here for more than five years!  Time really does fly when you enjoy what you do.  Anyhow, before you shed too many tears I also have to let you know that once I’m gone you’ll be in the capable hands of Larry Horwitz, previously our head brewer in North Wales.  You’ll like him and his beer is almost as good as mine.

I’m really going to miss West Chester, its people, the town’s culture and the staff here at the ‘Hill.  But the lure of a brand new facility and much shorter commute made Jersey the winner.  Anyhow we thought it was only fitting to end my time here with a bash this Thursday at 6 pm.  It will be a chance for everyone to meet Larry and if you’re so inclined to wish me well in my new endeavor.

We also thought it would be appropriate to let you see what you’re in for by putting a bunch of Larry’s beer on for the event.  Expect to see some of my special beers from the Iron Hill cellars and some of Larry’s secret stash from North Wales.

I hope to see you there.  If I don’t I’ll thank you now for your patronage, support and friendship over the past five years.  And try not to be too hard on Larry!