(2^nd Story Brewing Company (from left):  General Manager Ken Merriman,
Owner Debbie Grady, Executive Chef Rebecca Krebs and Head Brewer John Wible)

Today Eater posted a story about Brooklyn Brewery brewmaster Garrett Oliver’s response to ramen messiah David Chang’s recent GQ story detailing Chang’s preference for shitty beer (Bud Light?!? Come on, dude!). And despite my love for Miller High Life (sorry but it’s true!) I thought I’d give our city’s growing and beautiful craft beer scene a shout out.

On Tuesday, October 21, Brewer John Wible will debut a new collection of classically inspired and approachable ales and lagers at 2nd Story Brewing Co. (117 Chestnut Street), a craft brewery and restaurant serving farm-to-table pub cuisine in a casually rustic environment.  Owner Debbie Grady, along with General Manager Ken Merriman and Executive Chef Rebecca Krebs, will work closely with local producers and purveyors to bring in regional, seasonal ingredients.  Together, the 2nd Story team will operate a new craft-centric brewpub where residents and visitors alike can relax, grab a delicious bite and sip a fresh-hopped beer in the city’s historic Old City neighborhood.

The 2nd Story team is comprised of an eclectic mix of personalities with varying backgrounds, all sharing a tremendous enthusiasm for great craft beer and locally-sourced food:  Grady, a working farmer who grew up in Pasadena, California and owns Tilted Barn Farm in Pottstown, PA, will lead the project;  Merriman, a skilled manager and restaurateur who owns District Riverton Bistro in Riverton, NJ – and previously served as general manager and partner at Center City’s enduring Irish bar Tir na Nog — will oversee the overall operations of the restaurant and brewery, while adding his worldly insight having grown up in Dublin, Ireland;  Krebs, former Executive Chef at Salt Air in Rehoboth Beach, DE, will bring 10 years of culinary experience, specifically focusing on local ingredients and seasonal flavors;  and Wible, a former IT professional turned award-winning home brewer, will turn 2nd Story into his personal beer laboratory, exploring both classic and contemporary styles with a strong focus on simple, fresh beers that are interesting yet easy to drink.

Sitting in the space once occupied by Triumph Brewing Company, the restaurant and brewery has been re-imagined by the 2nd Story team, peeling back the building’s original, historic roots with beautiful exposed brick walls, wood floors and steel beams.  The space will feature two floors of seating, each with a bar area and five different dining areas with ample room for more than 200 guests.  The brewpub will offer a tempting menu of ingredient-driven American fare, a full bar with cocktails, wine and bottled beers as well as the selection of fine beers produced on site.  Both the kitchen and the brewery will use only the freshest ingredients, sourcing custom-grown hops from Grady’s Tilted Barn Farm.

The heartbeat of 2nd Story will pulse loudly on the second floor, where guests can rest comfortably at the copper-topped bar while watching Wible brew a fresh batch of lager from the brewery’s 15-bbl brewing system.  His extensive draft list will feature four distinctive house beers and five rotating taps, with one cask engine, and seasonal favorites such as Great Harvest Pumpkin Ale andColonial Porter on draught, as well as a thoughtful cocktail menu and dedicated list of favorite domestic bottles and even ciders for the non-craft beer lovers.  In addition, there will be an upstairs fireplace and beer garden, accented with salvaged oak and nostalgic photos of iconic Philadelphia breweries.

“Our region is so rich in history and resources, and we can’t wait to put them to use at 2nd Story,” says Grady.  Adds Wible, “This will be the kind of place guests can visit again and again, for a quick pint and engaging conversation among friends.”

For more information, please visit their website at 2nd Story Brewing, follow the brewery on Twitter (@2ndStoryBrewing) and Brewer John Wible (@BrewerWible), Instagram (2ndstorybrewing) and “like” them on Facebook.

Cheers, 2^nd Story! Welcome to the neigh-BEER-hood!