As we enter the third year of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses across the region continue to work towards their recovery from the early shutdowns and restrictions.
Area bars, restaurants and breweries were among the hardest hit by the pandemic counter measures, as their very businesses were built around person-to-person contact and service. However, some found opportunity in the forced downtime and employed creative strategies to strengthen their offerings for the post-restriction environment.
In Lansdale, two local breweries in Round Guys Brewing Co. and Well Crafted Beer Co. used the time to reinvest in themselves. Round Guys increased their brewing production and moved it into the former Reporter building, which created space to install a full kitchen and overhaul and upgrade their menu. Likewise, Well Crafted doubled their brewing capacity, upgraded their menu and even opened a second location in Ambler.
In Hatfield Township, Imprint Beer Co. is following suit.
Imprint — who boasts a national following for their fruited sours, hazy IPAs and pastry stouts, and currently sits as the highest rated Pennsylvania brewery on popular beer app Untappd — made similar moves during the first year of the pandemic, converting themselves from a smaller industrial speakeasy into a 15 barrel, 80-seat brewery in January 2021.
“We’ve seen a tremendous reaction to the new space,” said Ryan Diehl, co-founder of Imprint Beer Co. “Besides being able to brew more beer, we now have a nice taproom, draft beer, lots of space for customers to spread out, a wall of takeout coolers and plenty of room for brewing and packaging supplies.”
From there, Diehl shifted his focus to creating a high-quality, in-house food program that could break the brewery’s reliance on utilizing food trucks and instead provide customers with more consistent options. To carry out the vision, Diehl partnered with Chef Carlos Centeno, and in November 2021, Cantina Rabo officially opened inside of the brewery — much to the delight of Imprints loyal customer base.
Cantina Rabo utilizes two menus, with a shortened menu on Thursdays consisting of a handful of appetizers and flatbreads and a more expansive menu for Friday/Saturday/Sunday consisting of everything from sandwiches and burritos to buffalo wings, flatbreads, and weekly specials. [To view the menus, click here.]
With the food and seating in place, Diehl said they are beginning to get back to their roots in regards to hosting events and concerts — especially those with a charitable benefit.
“We are slowly returning to a focus on events, post-covid,” said Diehl. “Our huge fundraiser for the Children/s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is scheduled for May 21. And we have Mike Greer and Co. scheduled to perform on April 16.”
Diehl said he foresees more live music bookings in the future, and they want to continue building on their charitable events. Last year alone, and while still in the throes of the pandemic, Imprint was able to raise $32,000 for CHOP.
As for plans in the near future, Diehl teased that Imprint is planning to open a new gastropub in a nearby town, however he would not disclose the town as he didn’t want to “spoil the surprise.” The only other detail Diehl would provide is that the new location will feature food from Chef Centeno, who, in addition to his role with Cantina Rabo, is also about to open Comfort at the Corner in Telford.
For more information on Imprint Beer Co., click here.
Editor’s note: this sponsored feature is part of a partnership between Imprint Beer Co. and North Penn Now.
See also:
Imprint Beer Co. to Host Annual ‘Haze if Forward’ Charitable Event this Weekend
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Imprint Beer Co. To Host Free Porktoberfest To Benefit Manna On Main Street
Imprint Beer Co. To Host Charity Cornhole Tournament
Imprint Beer Co. Releases IPA To Support Cancer Charities
