A new brew crew The craft beer industry is rising in Washington County
Dawn and Chris Kramer are the owners of Coal Tipple Brewery in Burgettstown.
Chris Kramer in the distillery room at Coal Tipple Brewery in Burgettstown
Dave Barbe, owner of Fourth Street Barbecue in Charleroi, will be opening a brewery in the near future.
The untapped potential of Washington Brewing Co. excites brewmaster Pat Buckley, left, and co-owner John Burgess.
Owner E.J. Kleckner and the Brewmaster Justin Viale are excited for the opening of Rusty Gold Brewing at 43 W. Pike St. in Canonsburg.
Chris and Dawn Kramer rolled out the barrel first, and are having a barrel of fun.
“We’re doing well. We’re very pleased with how things are going,” says Chris Kramer, co-owner of Coal Tipple Brewery, along with his wife. The Kramers launched their endeavor around Thanksgiving in Smith Township, in northwestern Washington County, and are pleased with how the beer and business have flowed. And there is still some untapped potential.
Theirs is the first microbrewery in the county, the first brewery of any size there in decades. But in six months, they won’t be alone. The owners of three other brew houses under construction plan to turn on the taps by midsummer – all ambitious, all far enough apart to not hinder each others’ operations.
E.J. Kleckner is preparing Rusty Gold Brewing for what he hopes is an early spring debut in Canonsburg. Co-owners/spouses John and Angela Burgess and John and Michele DeFede are on course to launch Washington Brewing Co. in Washington before the Whiskey Rebellion Festival in mid-July. And Dave Barbe Jr. is forecasting a midsummer start for Four Points Barbeque and Brewing in Charleroi, with the brewery operating in conjunction with his existing Fourth Street Barbeque next door.
The microbrew industry has been coming to a head in Western Pennsylvania, and is now – finally – on the rise in Washington County. The county likewise lagged behind other areas in the development of distilleries. When Red Pump Spirits opened April 1 on Washington’s Main Street, it became the county’s first legal operating distiller since Prohibition (1920-1933). Then three months later, Liberty Pole Spirits launched two blocks to the south.
But if Washington County was going against the grain, it is now gaining in both pursuits.
“Craft beer is still on an upswing. And it’s on an upswing in Washington County, that’s for sure,” says Chris Kramer, who is also a member of Burgettstown Area School Board.
The impetus behind this trend, he says, is “(the state) changed the laws a little. They’ve been eased. We can sell anything produced in Pennsylvania.”
The name Coal Tipple, Kramer says, was selected “to pay homage to the people who worked (in mines) for a long time when conditions weren’t as good.” A line of Kramers was among them.
The brewery also is an extension of the couple’s other businesses along Steubenville Pike: Kramer’s Greenhouse, an operation Chris’ grandmother started in 1945, and an eight-year-old winery that produces mostly fruit-based wines under the Raccoon Creek Winery label.
A sign inside says cleverly: “Welcome to the Tipple! Craft beer and craft wine crafted here all the time.”
Dayne Crowley crafts the beer selections. He is the brewmaster who, interestingly, is a hydrogeologist by trade. Crowley is a longtime friend of Chris Kramer.
Brew selections are named after mining-related aspects or terms, such as Fossil Fuel and Dead Canary IPA. Coal Tipple will have six beers, with four at a time on tap. The brew area is in the basement and is initially producing one-barrel batches, although Crowley is working to expand that to seven barrels and has the capacity for 10.
Coal Tipple opened at a fortuitous time, about a month before Christmas, making it a favorite among holiday shoppers. Growlers have been popular, Kramer said. Wine sales outstrip beer, but wine is established there.
The Kramers are gratified by how they have been received – from municipal government and the public.
“Smith Township has been great to deal with,” Dawn Kramer says. “Other breweries are not getting as much support.”
“Friends and neighbors stop and not only are buying, but are pleased with our success,” Chris says.
Operators of the county’s three developing breweries are pointing toward success, as well. Kleckner, of Peters Township, has ambitious plans for Rusty Gold on East Pike Street. “We’re trying to come up with something nice and cool for Washington County,” he says.
He and his work crew have been renovating the former Toy’s My Way Cafe in Canonsburg, using old pieces salvaged from barns and buildings around the region. Kleckner estimates seating at about 80 and, initially, will have four beers crafted by Justin Viale, the master brewer: a creme ale, an IPA, a porter and an amber ale. They will be served in glasses or growlers to go.
“Or bring in a growler and we’ll fill it,” Kleckner says, adding he plans to eventually sell his brews in a bottle.
About 10 miles to the south, the four co-owners are linking up again to launch Washington Brewing on East Maiden Street. The DeFedes own Upper Crust Italian Bistro on South Main Street, and the Burgesses own Washington Winery across the street. Each side has promoted the other’s business, and the two couples have worked jointly on civic projects, including the September launch of the Washington Italian Festival, which they are determined to make an annual event.
Their brewery is being built inside a former Studebaker car dealership, a two-story structure with concrete floors that is adjacent to the winery. Master brewer Pat Buckley will oversee a 15-barrel operation.
In Charleroi, 25 miles to the east, Barbe will try to do more than duplicate the success of his popular restaurant. His intent is to have the brewery and barbecue destination enhance one another.
Barbe’s brewery will be built in the basement of a former floral shop, slightly uphill from Fourth Street Barbeque. There is a gap between the buildings, which Barbe hopes to convert to an old-fashioned outdoor beer garden with seating. The brewery won’t have seating initially, but the restaurant can accommodate about 100.
Renovating the four-story brick-and-frame structure will take time, but Barbe has purchased the equipment and is optimistic about a summer opening.
Brewmaster Adam Boura will oversee a five-barrel operation, which the owner hopes to eventually extend to 10.
So raise a glass and keep a cool head, Washington County – beer is here.