After nearly six years in business at a Towamencin Township industrial park, Blueprint Brewing Co. is calling it quits March 31.
Blueprint Brewing – co-founded by Kyle Fetch, Cory McDonald and Jason Scholl in 2017 – made the announcement of its impending closure on its Facebook page. Fraught with “ups, downs, twists, and turns” through challenges that its owners tried to face head-on, the decision was made to close the doors at its 6,400-square-foot, 1571 Gehman Road location.
“At the end of the day and after a long and arduous process of looking at numbers, having lots of conversations, and dealing with rollercoasters of emotions, the decision was made to close the brewery,” said the post. “As of right now, our doors will close for the last time to the public on 3/31/23. All public and private events until then will still go on as previously scheduled. You’ll be greeted with smiles; laughs will be had, and stories still told. The beer will still pour from the taps.”
The brewery thanked its staff, food truck partners, live music partners and industry friends. It said its customers were “some of the best damn people that we have gotten to know and grow with.”
“Every friendship made, relationship started, event celebrated, and holiday enjoyed are all things that we will forever cherish and remember,” said the post.
The owners wished their customer base, friends, family and puppies to celebrate with them until the end, remembering good times for the last five-plus years.
“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this wild ride,” said the post.
As of early Thursday morning, the post has received more than 530 responses from citizens and more than 160 condolences and well-wishes.
“This is so disheartening to read,” wrote Sharon Dietrich. “Your brewery has always been a haven after a long week at work. The beers and staff have been awesome. I remember having my husband drive over to the brewery at the start of the pandemic to purchase gift cards to help support local businesses. We will support you to the end and remember all the good times. Sure will miss your coconut porter.”
“So very sorry to hear, you guys did so much in and for the community, truly a worthy legacy,” wrote Jon Detweiler.
“While it’s a tough decision to close down, you brought so many smiles and great times, which you will have forever. Best wishes good luck to you and all your employees,” wrote Timothy Hughes.
“We are so sorry to hear this. Thank you so much for all you have done for Tri State Basset Hound Rescue,” wrote Rosemarire Merritt.
“We can imagine how hard this decision was and appreciate all that you gave to the industry as well as to us food vendors. Best wishes moving forward. Know that you but up one hell of a brewery experience. You will be greatly missed,” wrote representatives from The Taste Smokers food truck.
Blueprint Brewing Co. was unique in its approach to the local microbrew scene – a bar inside an industrial warehouse space, with outdoor seating and fire rings, and a garage door you can open in the summer. It held many food truck events, featuring the likes of TUCKEDito, Waffle Mama’s, Roll ‘M Up, Cousins Maine Lobster, Taco Town, Hang Over’s Café and Love Food Truck, as well as live music featuring local bands like ZenDog, Mike Greer & Co., Go HAM, Mike Guldin and Rollin & Tumblin, and Tubetop Mama. Trivia nights with Mario Balbi, Tom McKee, and Fetch were popular with the clientele.
Blueprint also offered community events and workshops in its history, like charcuterie workshops, puppy costume contests, Thanksgiving Eve parties, Trivia with the Chief fundraisers, and holiday shopping events.
Back in 2017, when McDonald, Fetch and Scholl pitched the brewery concept to Towamencin Township Supervisors, McDonald touted Blueprint had something that captures their passion for building things.
“Our goal is to really embrace the community. We’re not after living the rock star lifestyle. We want to brew really great beer and we want to have people enjoy it with us,” McDonald said.
The North Penn area has been a hit or miss over the last five years for independent local breweries. The closing of Blueprint Brewery comes on the heels of the closure a few weeks ago of award-winning craft beer incubator and contract brewer Co-Hops Brewery & Cannery on North Penn Road in Hatfield Township, which opened less than two years ago and recently lost its lease. Prism Brewing, which shut its Hillcrest Plaza location in 2017, had recently resurrected its beer, producing and canning it at Co-Hops Brewery.
Meanwhile, some local breweries have flourished over the past five years, including Lansdale’s Well Crafted and Round Guys, the latter of which is being revived and renovated at present as The Round House. Hatfield Township’s Imprint Beer Co. recently expanded its headquarters to include an arcade and pinball area dubbed The Gnarcadium, and McAllister Brewing Company in Upper Gwynedd, ironically in the original Prism Beer location, is fresh off a third-place win at the PA Farm Show for its Belgian-style Peach Wit. Ten7 Brewing Company in North Wales recently celebrated its beer expansion to Bottle Bar East gastropub in Philly. In November, Forest & Main Brewing Co. on East Butler Avenue in Ambler celebrated the opening of its new taproom on Ambler’s North Main Street.
See also:
Retroware Arcade in Lansdale to Host Grand Opening Saturday
First Look: Imprint Beer Co. Announces Opening of ‘Gnarcadium’ Free-to-Play Brewerycade
Lansdale Tavern Named First Lansdale ‘Business of the Month’ for 2023
Kub Kao Thai to Host Soft Opening of New Restaurant in Lansdale on Friday
