I started a little tradition when I was brewing in West Chester and I’ve brought it with me to Maple Shade.  Once a year we make a special, unique and tiny batch of beer just for our staff and we give it out around the holidays.  The beer is called Appreciation and that’s what it’s all about; showing the rest of our restaurant how much we appreciate all of the hard work they’ve given us over the past year.

I always say that the staff is what makes Iron Hill what it is.  We make great beer here, don’t get me wrong.  But we live and work in a part of the country that is just teeming with excellent local beer.  I have a lot of very talented contemporaries that keep me humble.  When it comes to what happens outside of the brewery though, I don’t feel the need to be humble.  I can’t think of another brewery restaurant operation that can boast a staff that knows as much about beer as ours.  They’re passionate and knowlegable and you don’t find that everywhere.  I’ve drank in a lot of brewpubs all over the country and I have to say that our crew is what really sets us apart.

The Appreciation is different every year.  It’s made in a one keg batch on the same equipment that the owners homebrewed on before Iron Hill existed.  It’s usually designed by the assistant brewer who uses some crazy ingredients that might be too daring or expensive to make a whole batch of.  Most importantly its only for the staff.  Appreciation can’t be bought anywhere.

There’s a picture of it here but you can’t really read the text on it.  Here’s what it says.

We love our jobs.  There aren’t many people that make a living doing what some choose to do as a hobby.  We know that we wouldn’t have this job if it weren’t for the person holding this bottle.  You sell the beer we make, craft the food it pairs with or otherwise make this place work.  The ber in this bottle is a small token of our APPRECIATION.  Appreciation was brewed and hand bottled by us for you, the staff of Iron Hill, Maple Shade.  This year’s appreciation was brewed with golden raisens, rosemary, honey, Belgian yeast and of course lots of love.  We hope ou enjoy it because you deserve to.  We also hope you enjoy whatever holiday you celebrate this season.  Just make sure you celebrate something.  Thanks again and Happy Holidays. 

Chris and Jeff

Cheers,

Chris