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Photo by Tessa Marie Images
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After 10 years at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in Media, where he nabbed 19 Great American Beer Festival medals and 10 World Beer Cup honors, brewer Bob Barrar has finally opened a brewery of his own.
But first, the Delaware County native had to develop a powerhouse partnership with Michael Stiglitz and Ben Muse, owners of the three—soon to be five—Two Stones Pub locations. Barrar also rallied another Iron Hill colleague, brewer Andrew “Ruby” Rubenstein, to co-operate the company’s 20-barrel system. Fully staffed with an all-pro crew, the year’s most hyped beer venture, 2SP Brewing Company, has hit the ground pouring.
Backed by the slogan, “never pretentious, always passionate,” 2SP’s headquarters is in the nondescript Chester Creek Business Center in Aston. It’s fronted by an inviting, bright-blue taproom stacked with bar stools and high-top seating. There, you can score first sips of 2SP’s dependable, world-class beers. The lineup includes more than 10 approachable beers—with room in the taproom to grow.
The Delco Lager, an American amber with a heady malt finish, is already a cult favorite. It’s available year-round on tap and, come early 2016, in vibrant yellow-and-blue cans. There’s also the funky-clean Belgian saison, Patina, the citrusy Bellcracker double IPA, and a young Russian imperial stout called Baby Bob (Barrar’s best-known beer). Other highlights include the Weisse/Belgian-white hybrid Weiss Wit and ASAP, a snappy East Coast-style session IPA.
A daily rotating panini and a meat-and-cheese plate are offered in the tasting room; outside food is also welcome.
2SP Brewing distributes its beers throughout the Philadelphia area. But we suggest swinging by the headquarters to soak up the “made in Delco” vibe.
120 Concord Road, Suites 101-103, Aston, (484) 483-7860.
