Call it “Brew.” Call it “Bierista.” Whatever. It happens Friday.
When I wrote about this place last summer, it was going to be called Bierista. I still believe that to be one of the coolest names ever, clever on every level, but I also understand that Brew makes more sense commercially, plus it probably eliminates a lot of time spent explaining stuff to the uninformed who wander in.
I am delighted to pass on the news that the business will be opening Friday. A coffee house which sells good beer as well? Brilliant.
But aside from that, the the real reason I wanted to mention the news here is to agree with and second this comment on Drew Lazor’s post:
[John] Longacre is single-handedly building an entire neighborhood from scratch. The transformation in that neighborhood since he opened the SPTR and community organizations associations is absolutely amazing. Long live Newbold!
I talk a lot here about —hell, I am obsessed with—the idea that a good tavern or brewpub can transform a neighborhood. Big John has taken that well beyond the expected limits. As the writer indicates, the founder of South Philadelphia Tap Room has virtually created Newbold all by himself. Indeed, it is not stretching things a whit to further suggest that the amazing craft beer scene which has grown up all over South Philadelphia in the last two years stems in large part from the success of SPTR.
His is a singular achievement.
Perhaps the only downside to this is that my pal Carl P, who keeps threatening to move East and be close enough to torment me on a daily basis, recently suggest that our visit to SPTR last summer has him thinking that neighborhood might be a good place for him to relocate.
I was just taking the guy out for a beer on our way to a Phillies game and look what happens. Talk about your unintended consequences….
May 7th, 2009 at 7:09 am
I’m super psyched about this place (it is a 12 minute walk from my house)
I owe my introduction to accessible craft beer to John Longacre. I still remember the 3 beers I had my first time at SPTR many years ago - a Hoegaarden, a Troegs Dreamweaver Wheat, and a Victory Throwback Lager!
May 7th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Well! So the plan has come to fruition. I well remember sitting there in that wonderful place listening to the plan for this wonderful creation. I recall you telling me and also John telling me how the neighborhood was turning around and growing and becoming more livable. I am glad to see that it is working. As you said, this is the kind of thing that has me thinking of relocation. If I did, it would definitely have to have places like this new creation as well as SPTR nearby! Congrats to all involved. I will be looking forward to a full report on BREW as soon as you can get over there, Jack.
May 8th, 2009 at 6:54 am
[...] with the Philadelphia beer scene, emailed this morning to suggest that I make clear that, while Brew opens today, it’s beer component will not be active until sometime in [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
What Longacre has done with that community is absolutely amazing.