Burghers Brewing, LLC
There’s a lot of things in the finance and the chasing of money that I’d rather have my toenails pulled out than do. But this was actually a pretty easy experience. It requires a ton of back and forth. But I didn’t feel they were messing around with us.
People
A crawfish boil brought together Neil Glausier and Fiore Moletz. A few beers, a few months and a phone call later, the engineer and the chef joined forces. “Next thing I know I’m building a brewery, sleeping in a brewery, showering in a brewery,” says Neil. While maintaining a successful operation in Butler County, they sought and found a building in the hot Allegheny County brewing scene — but lenders played it cool. “We’ve sat across the table from no less than 25 lenders and representatives,” says Neil, but nearly all refused to lend to restaurants or wouldn’t commit.
Progress
The Progress Fund and Enterprise Bank, though, teamed up on a financing package of nearly $2.6 million, covering purchase and renovation of a building in Millvale.
Impact
“Millvale has been super-warm and inviting to us,” says Neil, and provides the partners with a base on the “craft brewing superhighway” flanking the Allegheny River. They’re returning the warmth by creating some 30 jobs and adding to the borough’s thriving entertainment scene. Upon your first visit, you’ll walk through revolving doors into a “stainless cathedral” with vibrant colors, a curving bar and plenty of space on two levels. With 20 taps and what Neil calls “the best damn burger in this city, hands down,” Burghers Brewing “delivers food and flavor in a combination that can’t be beat.”
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