(Courtesy Iron Hill Brewery)

One of our favorite craft beer events is happening this weekend and you need to be there…We’ve that, “Words to Drink By” and more.

The Iron Hill Brewery Story May Not be Over

There’s a little bit of hope bubbling up for fans of Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant. After a rough year that saw the Delaware-based brewpub chain shut down all its locations and file for bankruptcy, word is that 10 of those shuttered spots may be making a comeback — possibly under new ownership and maybe even a slightly new identity.

According to Delaware Online and Breweries in PA, the revival effort is being led by Jeff Crivello, the former CEO of Famous Dave’s BBQ and now head of Ciao Hospitality. Crivello’s company just got court approval to take over ten of the closed Iron Hill properties with a credit bid worth around $12 million. It’s a big swing, and if it works, we could see some of Iron Hill’s most popular locations — like Center City Philadelphia, West Chester, Wilmington, Lancaster, Hershey, Rehoboth Beach, and a few in South Carolina — light up again.

But this isn’t exactly a straight “back from the dead” story. Some of those brewpubs might reopen as Iron Hill locations, while others could be rebranded entirely. Crivello has already hinted at plans to bring in Virginia-based Three Notch’d Brewing for a couple of the southern properties, suggesting that this next chapter could be a mix of revival and reinvention.

Industry-wise, it’s also a fascinating move. Iron Hill’s collapse was a reminder of how fragile the restaurant and craft-beer business can be — but this acquisition shows that a good location and a loyal following still have real value. Crivello’s bet seems to be that with the right management and branding, these brewpubs can thrive again, even in a crowded market.

There’s still plenty we don’t know. No reopening dates have been announced yet, and it’s unclear which spots will keep the Iron Hill name. Renovations, staffing, and brand decisions are all still in the works. The rest of Iron Hill’s properties — the ones not part of this deal — are expected to hit the auction block in December, so there could be more news coming soon.

For now, it’s a waiting game. Locals should keep an eye out for construction crews or “Now Hiring” signs at their old Iron Hill haunts. Whether these reopenings will recapture the spirit of the original brewpubs or turn into something completely new, one thing’s for sure — the story of Iron Hill Brewery isn’t over yet.

Words to Drink By

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.”– Steve Jobs, American businessman, investor, and inventor

(Courtesy Texas Craft Brewers Guild

Texas Craft Brewers Festival Returns

One of our favorite craft beer events is happening this weekend and you need to be there.

The 2025 Texas Craft Brewers Festival will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Fiesta Gardens in Austin, Texas. Organized by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, it is the state’s largest annual event focused exclusively on independent Texas craft breweries.

Event Details

• Location: Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia Street, Austin, TX
• Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
• Time:
  • VIP entry: 12:00 PM
  • General Admission (GA) entry: 2:00 PM
  • Festival closes: 6:30 PM
• Age Restriction: This is a strictly 21+ event; no exceptions.

Highlights

• Breweries & Beer: The festival features more than 80 Texas craft breweries pouring samples of approximately 200 different Texas-brewed craft beers.
• Tickets: Both GA and VIP tickets are available for purchase on the official festival website. All tickets include a commemorative tasting cup and 10 sample tickets (each redeemable for a 3-ounce pour), with additional sample tickets available for purchase on-site.
• Amenities: The event includes local food trucks, live music, and a curated vendor market.
• New in 2025: A “Tailgate Lounge” add-on option is available, offering a shaded area with seating, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, college football on a big screen, and exclusive brewer meet-and-greets.
• Purpose: The festival is the primary fundraising event for the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, a non-profit organization that advocates for the Texas craft beer industry.

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