Beers may be good for a party, but now they are serving some good for the community as well—thanks to two Philadelphia brewers.
Tim Montague and Wayne Humphrey, two award-winning local home brewers, are going professional with the announcement of their new nano-brewery, My Local Brew Works, specializing in contract, special events, and direct-to-public brewing, opening in Frankford’s Globe Dye Works building this summer. To celebrate the launch of their new venture, both Montague and Humphrey have also found a way to give back to those affected by COVID-19 through a special giveaway that kicks off this week.
“As we prepare for our grand opening, we would like to spread some Philly love to the individuals who have made our city a capitol of culture and a spectacle for all who experience it,” said co-founder and Director of Partnerships & Branding, Humphrey, in a statement. “We really just want to say thank you and buy a beer for members of our favorite Philly industries affected by the many daily challenges due to COVID.”
Humphrey and Montague, who also happen to be 2020’s Home Sweet Homebrau Competition People’s Choice winners, created their libation brainchild with the hopes of taking a multifaceted approach to nano-brewing. That means that the local brewery focuses on three areas of business specifically: Contract brewing with authenticity, the ability to develop specialty beers for social and fundraising events, and direct-to-public brewing. The release states that what makes My Local Brew Works so unique is its ability to craft multiple beers of varying styles, flavor profiles and strength, from a single original mash.
Now, those who have faced the pandemic head-on will have the chance to indulge in what the new nano-brewery has to offer. This means that Philadelphia hospitality workers, frontline workers, musicians, members of the arts community, and anyone whose job has been greatly affected by the pandemic, are all invited to register for a free four-pack with the first giveaway on Wednesday, April 7, which is also National Beer Day. Additional giveaways will follow on Wednesdays, April 21, May 5, and May 19, all at The German Society of Pennsylvania in Northern Liberties.
Giveaway participants will be among the first to try a variety of My Local Brew Works beers, and can expect at least one of the beers listed below included in each four-pack, which includes their UnRivaled Stout, Hop Bell IPAs, Belgian Dubbels and Saison De Bernadette.
The Stout came to fruition in partnership with another Philly favorite, Rival Bros. Coffee. This specific blend is described in the release as a classic Mairsey Doats Oatmeal Stout with Rival Bros. Whistle & Cuss coffee added. It’s available as both a plain or a cream stout, with Lactose added. The notes of coffee “dance” with the roasty dark malts and the Golden Naked Oats that give the brew its velvety mouthfeel. The Saison also has some extra Philly flavor added to it being brewed in collaboration with Tom Peters and Bernadette Roe from the highly regarded Monk’s Café. The release description of this beer describes it as a simple blend of Pilsner, Wheat and Barke Vienna malts, fortified with Organic Turbinado and generously hopped with Hallertau Blanc hops. Crisp, peppery, and probably a little too easy to drink for its 7.2% abv. The IPA on the other hand has been dry hopped with Azacca and Amarillo hops to provide a classic golden west coast style with a mellow but firm bitterness and citrus and dank hop aromas.
The Belgian brews from the new nano-brewery however include Santo Humo. According to the release, this version of their straight-up St. Dilbert Dubbel is brewed in collaboration with Chef Adan Trinidad from the Pistolas Restaurant group. In addition to the usual ingredients in their dark monastic elixir My Local Brew Works has added both Mesquite and Beechwood smoked malts, as well as Adan’s Mole spice mix including three kinds of chiles, Mexican Cinnamon and Mexican Chocolate forming “a sensual roller coaster ride for your taste buds.”
“One of our aspirations, which is closely linked to our name, My Local Brew Works, is to be a part of the community – whether that be the Frankford neighborhood where the brewery is located, the craft brewing community, or the restaurant/bar industry,” said Montague in a statement. “This is just one way that we can introduce ourselves and begin to build a relationship with these communities and Philadelphia.”
So how do you find out if you qualify?
To secure one of the four-packs, those who fit the criteria and are of legal age must register on My Local Brew Works’ website, including first and last name, one of their favorite beers, and indicating their industry position. The brewing duo will then check if all four-packs are accounted for and the participant will be notified via email with an alternative pick-up date and time slot, excluding any potential walk-up inquiries.
Four-packs are allotted one per person and can be picked up outside The German Society of Pennsylvania at 6th and Spring Garden streets. Masks are required, social distancing will be enforced, and proof of legal drinking age from a state issued I.D. is mandatory when picking up the four-packs.
To learn more information and to see if you qualify, visit mylocalbrewworks.com
