Vortex Brewing Company and the Friendship Behind It

BY JJ SHEFFER | DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Vortex Brewing Company began, as so many great things do, as an idea sketched on a napkin. After three decades of drinking beer together, owners Ed Janiak and Richard Foard decided it was time to open their own brewery. They’ve come a long way from the napkin sketch; the brewery is currently under construction in New Freedom and will open in early fall of this year.

Head Brewer Janiak’s interest in beer began when he was in the Navy in the 1980s and discovered British, German, and Dutch brews while serving abroad. He came home and began to seek out craft beer – far less prevalent in the U.S. in those days – and eventually got a part-time job at a local brewery, where he learned how to brew. When his wife gifted him a home brew kit, he began hosting a weekly home brew night for his friends, including Foard and their wives, and everyone would gather in his basement to hang out and enjoy the beer.

“We always wanted to have a place that we could do something like that publicly,” Janiak says, “and be able to make and serve my beer, and have a place our friends and family and the neighborhood can come to and have a great pint of beer and great conversation in a communal place and enjoy each other’s company.”

Thirty years later, a job change for Janiak coincided with Foard’s retirement from the construction industry, and they decided it was time to create a public gathering place that would offer the comfortable, communal feel of Janiak’s basement, as well as his craft brews, to others.

“We looked at a lot of spots, but were drawn to New Freedom,” Foard says. “We fell in love with the town.” Their completed building, next to Northern Central Railway in downtown New Freedom, is within 100 yards of the York County Heritage Rail Trail, so they’re making plans to accommodate bikes and dogs and visitors to the train station.

“Our intention is to build the best possible space that we can for the community,” Janiak says. Once the space is open, the visitor experience will focus on good beer – as well as other beverages, such as ciders, seltzers, and beer slushies – and good service. Janiak is eager to start brewing on their new system and introduce guests to a variety of beer styles and seasonal brews, presented with perfect pours.

“I think customer service is a big deal,” Janiak says. “Nothing is more satisfying as a customer than them putting that coaster on the bar, pouring that perfect beer, having that rocky head, that perfect presentation, sitting it in front of you and it tastes perfect. That, to me, is the epitome of what bar service should be for craft beer.”

“It’s more than just making good beer,” Foard agrees. “Youcan make really good beer, but the experience leaves you highand dry.”

While Janiak is focused on the beer and service, Foard is busy designing and overseeing construction of a building that clearly communicates its specific purpose. The brewing equipment will be visible and large serving tanks will feature behind the bar.

“When you walk into our place, you’re going to know you’re in a brewery,” Foard says. “It’s going to have that feel.” Foard says this sets them apart from many breweries, who have systems with only the taps visible where they serve the beer. They’re also making an effort to highlight some of the town’s history in the building’s design.

“We want the place to feel like an old slipper,” Foard says. “It feels comfortable when you come in.” They’re also making it a point to immerse themselves in the New Freedom community and support other local endeavors.

“Right,” says Janiak. “We’re not a chain. We’re there for the long haul. This is our life. It’s not just another business for us. This is our baby.”

Vortex Brewing Company will open in early fall 2022.

100 Cambridge Blvd.,New Freedom, PA 17349 | vortexbrewz.com