“As a new player in an experienced, developed beer market like Philadelphia, we know that top-notch suds are merely the ante to play the game. Successful brands are able to create meaningful connections to their customers with an honest, accessible approach and an unwavering commitment to hospitality.”
That really is all you need to know about the approach Workhorse Brewing is taking to building their craft brewery.
Known as the first brewery to open in King of Prussia, PA, at 70,000 square foot and 30 barrels Workhorse truly is a sight to be seen. And luckily we have all those sights right here! (As they continue to work on the building we will update with new pictures).
Workhorse is the brain child of Dan Hershberg (CO-FOUNDER, VP/CMO) and Peter Fineberg (CO-FOUNDER, CEO).
Background on Dan:
“A Philadelphia-born entrepreneur with a passion for people, Dan is the driving force behind the Workhorse brand and is tasked with heading up our marketing and sales efforts, as well as crafting our hospitality program. Since 2008, Dan has owned and operated Philly Phaithful, a sports-centric Philadelphia apparel company with a customer-service oriented business model. If you’ve tailgated in K Lot for a Phillies or Eagles game in the last 10 years, it’s likely that you’ve purchased a shirt from Dan and shared a beer or two.”
Background on Peter:
“With over thirty-five years of entrepreneurial experience in a variety of business disciplines and an infectious positive attitude, Peter Fineberg is the perfect man to bring Workhorse Brewing Company into the craft beer space. Possessing a BS from Rutgers and an MBA from George Washington, Peter is a proven leader whose focus on crafting an engaging, employee-centric workplace culture has our team excited to get to work.”
During our visit we toured this large facility with Dan to learn more about their story. The idea all started when Dan and Peter met with the folks at Rhinegeist Brewery (Cincinnati, OH) to learn more about their operation. And it was that conversation that fueled their desire to bring the area a craft brewery that Philadelphia can be proud of. (See more of that story here)
As a successful entrepreneur Dan knows that the key to any business succeeding is to learn from your predecessors. It is that reason that he toured the country visiting a countless number of craft breweries to know what it takes to win in the market place. Which is why they have decided to open at the size they are. The one common piece of advice Dan took away from his conversations was the need to expand as the brewery grows. Which is why the 70,000 square feet facility became a reality.
It is in that same nature that Dan also knew opening a 30 barrel brewery would only be successful with the right people in place. As a successful entrepreneur he knew he had to assemble the right team in order for Workhorse to live up to expectation. Which is why be brought in Nate Olewine, who most notably oversaw the expansion of Devils Backbone, the 2014 winner of the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) Mid-Sized Brewing Company of the year. And spent 4 years with Victory Brewing prior to that.
With almost ten years of experience, Nate has brewed beer that has gone on to win 3 Gold medals at the biennial World Beer Cup, plus another 6 Gold medals at the GABF. Under Nate’s guidance and leadership, Devils Backbone increased production from 10,000 barrels in 2012 to nearly 80,000 in 2016. So it is with confidence that Workhorse has the right person in place to make their 30 barrel system a masterpiece for the area.
Having the right people in place was just a part of the equation. The name of the brewery had to solidify their mission and mean something as well. As we stated earlier, Workhorse is all about being customer focused. When it came to naming the brewery they asked themselves “Does the name embody the spirit of the business we’re looking to run? To put it differently, do our previously established goals of consistency, effort, and authenticity align with the words that will soon be plastered all over our products, our facility, and all forms of communication?” From there, Workhorse was born.
Do you want to see just how big a 70,000 square foot brewery is? Of course! See the space before any piece of equipment even arrived: (Pictures courtesy Rory Creative)
[URIS id=22117]
The conversation with Dan left us with one major feeling; that Workhorse will be all about their customer. As Dan told us he wants every beer they make to be accessible and friendly to beer drinkers, regardless of their palette or style preferences. Workhorse intends to stick to a mission of being customer service oriented while also producing beer that will leave patrons wanting more.
Their facility will host a 1,300 square foot private space to be rented for parties, weddings, corporate events and more. As well as their own barreling room, six 60 barrel fermenters, an indoor/outdoor seating area, a taproom spacious enough to host a town of people and so much more! Dan really thought of everything; even the bar will have power outlets for those travelers who need to recharge their electronics as well as themselves (on some delicious beer of course). Along with the power supply the bar will boast 24 tap lines made up mostly of workhorse brews along with guest beers, ciders and wines. Yup, all on tap!
As of right now contractors are on site installing tanks, running lines and turning this dream into a reality. As of this writing, Dan anticipates the brewery being open by July of 2018. They will be located at King Manor Dr in King of Prussia, PA. We will continue to update as they get closer to their opening date. In the meantime, take a look at the space as equipment is being installed. (Pictures courtesy Rory Creative)
[URIS id=22130]
.
There is a lot of excitement coming from the first King of Prussia brewery. Make sure to keep up with all the updates on construction and opening date from Workhorse by following them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And to get even more insight into the brewery read more of the story of how the brewery came about and where it is going, on their blog titled “From The Horse’s Mouth“. As the building continues towards completion we will update with more.
We look forward to seeing them open this summer!
