Abjuration Brewing
It was very straightforward: ‘These are all of the things that we need, so get us all of that and we’re good to go.’ …They’re different than dealing with an actual ‘bank’ bank. It would be a much more grueling process.
People
Dave Hallam is happy sipping a lager but has no qualms about selling a strawberry shortcake ice cream sour ale. Flavor-forward sours appeal to folks who might normally order wine, cider or a mixed drink. Dave says he and co-brewer Thomas Glover “found this niche and we decided to run with it.” Their ever-changing array of beers did so well they face a problem: “We needed to brew more beer.” They reviewed 25 potential expansion spaces but didn’t find a match.
Progress
The Progress Fund developed the Hazelwood Brew House, and offered Abjuration space alongside two other microbrewers, plus a loan of $205,000 to buy equipment. The deal triples Abjuration’s capacity and puts them in a stunning, collaborative taproom.
Impact
Abjuration maintains its original location in McKees Rocks even as it draws fans to the new location. “We’re bringing these crazy flavors to the Hazelwood Brew House,” and flavor lovers follow, Dave says. Abjurations standards and exotics – like the chocolate hot pepper stout – get new audiences in the foodies, music afficionados, trivia wonks and affinity groups gathering at the brew house. “People need a place to get together and be a community,” notes Dave. Sometimes they need a blue raspberry double IPA, too.
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