Making Waves >>>>> beer boom

By LEN MAHONSKI West Branch Life

The growing populari craft beer has led to explosion of craft breweries across the West Branch Valley.

In fact, our region is home to some of the finest craft breweries to be found Each one offes a one-of-a-kind, unique beer experience launching local brews to the forefront of the craft beer industry

Lew Bryson was so taken by the energy of our craft beer culture that he continues to feature the area on his “Seen Through the Glass” podcast

A resident of Millheim in Centre County and author of “Pennsylvania Breweries,” he often hits the road to travel here

He says, “Williamsport's brewe have a deep bench You've got ex enced homegrown brewers like B at Riepstine's, and Mike LaRosa at New Trail has developed brewing programs at some of the region's larger, most noted breweries. Then there's the cadre of trained brewers coming out of Penn College's program, some of them already working in the area Williamsport definitely punches above its weight on beer ”

A recent report released by the Brewers Association, a nonprofit trade association, shows ennsylvania ranks second only hind California in the total mber of craft breweries per state. th a total of 486 craft breweries on mpressive 3.2 million barrels of were produced in the Commonwealth in 2021.

Many business owners who are opening craft breweries throughout the area were once home brewers, perfecting their craft in their basement or garage It’s this quality, passion and love for everything beer that brought our region’s craft beer boom to a head

Rieppel, co-owner of Riepstine’s Pub in Williamsport, says he has watched his brewery turn into a “family” in every sense of the word

“As a brewery, our plan going into this was never world domination,” Rieppel says “The goal was to bring people from all walks of life together to enjoy good beer, good conversations and a sense of community.”

Skip Kratzer and Larry Winans, owners of Jackass Brewery in Lewisburg, say the idea to open a craft brewery came about when they realized they both had a drinking problem

“We love to brew beer but we made so much we couldn’t drink it all,” Winans says. The two started giving it away to friends, which both claim solved their problem, but unfortunately brewed up another issue Friends had a hard time keeping up with production,

So the two beer nuts quit their day jobs and went from homebrewers to brewery owners

Location also needs to be part of the conversation in regard to our craft beer boom It’s the undeniable love for both the outdoors and beer that makes the West Branch Valley a prime spot for craft breweries Great beer and the great outdoors pair well

LaRosa, co-owner and brew master of New Trail Brewing Co , came to town as a consultant to help with the brewery's opening

“As a teenager and avid outdoorsman, I became enamored with activities like climbing, kayaking, hiking and disc golf and Williamsport supplied these activities in multitudes, as well as genuine people and beautiful scenery,” LaRosa says. “I quickly fell in love with Williamsport and my then-clients, now partners, offered me equity to stay on and be a part of New Trail So here I am.”

The award-winning brewer says it’s been the ride of a lifetime and he now calls Williamsport home after relocating from the Philadelphia area.

Our region offers a multitude of craft brew experiences. For instance, John