Stickman Brews, known for its big, tasty beers produced in small batches, has a lot going on right now. And we mean a lot! Ethan Buckman, co-owner and head brewer, and his team couldn’t be more excited with everything ahead.
After chatting with Buckman, we decided we needed to let all of the Stickman fans know exactly what is in the works at the Royersford brewery and beyond.
With less than three years on the brewing scene, Stickman Brews is making leaps and bounds with its original brewery, new beer plans in Bucktown, a brand new batch of Double Deuce and so many new beers coming out this summer, we literally can’t even…. So, we’re breaking it down for you here:
Stickman Brews at Tony Joe’s
If you’re from Pottstown, you know Tony Joe’s as the place to go for crave-able bar food with high-end specials on the regular menu. Tony Joe’s has had its fair share of partnerships in the past, including 2nd Story Brewing and Stone Barn Cellars Winery, but Stickman is here to, well, stick!
Stickman has taken over an existing space at Tony Joe’s, added a bar and tap system and is calling the place its second home. Right now, Stickman has 10 seats in the bar area, with plans to increase seating to 25. Tony Joe’s has about 60 seats, plus even more seating outside. Whether you sit in the bar area or the restaurant area, you can enjoy both beer and food.
OG Stickman Brews
When Stickman Brews first opened its doors, the team vacillated through different kitchen ideas. There was even a dreaded hot dog roller. At one point, the team hired a catering company to do prep work for the bartenders to be able to quickly assemble food for customers. Food trucks then came onto the property, but that still didn’t feel right to the owners.
So, the team behind Stickman Brews decided it was time to add a fully operational kitchen to the space, along with a skilled chef. Stickman has worked with Chef Anthony DiStefano of Tony Joe’s to help plan the menu and the feel of the kitchen.
The menu can best be described as locally sourced, upscale bar food. You’ll be able to enjoy a cheesesteak with beer cheese, cold sandwiches, plenty of veggies options, a beefed-up Italian hoagie with pesto, a classic giant pretzel, pork belly sliders and, of course, wings.
Stop in and grab a seat! The new kitchen will open on Friday, June 1, with the following hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday: 4–9 p.m.
- Friday: 4–10 p.m.
- Saturday: Noon–10 p.m.
- Sunday: Noon–8 p.m.
Solera Program Beers
Stickman decided to try its hand at a Solera program, which is a process for aging beer and other liquids by fractional blending, so that the finished product is a blend of ages. Basically, a brewer fills the tank and ferments the beer, removes the liquid, leaving about 2-3 gallons in the tank, complete with old yeast, and then adds in new, unfermented beer. This process can be repeated over and over again, as the beer constantly lives and ferments.
Stickman decided to create four different sour aged beers with this process:
- Baba’s Got a Brand New Brew: The Stickman team worked with none other than Olga Sorzano of Baba’s Brew to create a wild ale with kombucha and strawberries.
- Long Walk to No Where: A spontaneous fermented beer, created by using Lambic style brewing.
- Dripping in Subtext: Heavy on lactid acid, but not super funky.
- Super Secret Project: Lots of brett character without the acidity, but with plenty of berry notes and oak character.
Bakeshop Style Beers
Buckman describes this next series, saying, “We wanted to take the best two styles right now, New England IPAs and pastry beers, and do something different. We’re taking the base recipe of our NE IPA, and instead of hopping it, we’re taking the hops completely out of it and replacing the hops with all of the pastry ingredients and the flavors of what you’d find in a stout.”
The result is something like a strong American cream ale, with plenty of milk, sugar and vanilla. The first bakeshop beer is a Key Lime Pie. Buckman is also kicking around a coconut cream pie, Oreo cheesecake, lemon meringue, creamsicle and blueberry pie. And, in honor of his Uncle Norman’s 90th birthday, Buckman will be creating a Jewish Apple Cake beer. Mazel!
Follow along with Stickman Brews on Facebook and Instagram for beer release announcements!
You can find Stickman Brews at 326 North Lewis Road in Royersford; phone: (484) 938-5900. And Tony Joe’s at 1161 Ridge Rd. in Pottstown; phone: (610) 469-6419.
- Photos: Stickman Brews
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