If you regularly visit Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant in Phoenixville, you probably have seen Eric Kiley’s smiling face. Eric has been working at Iron Hill for the past four years, splitting his time working behind the bar and as a key hourly manager. Eric has worked in the food service business since he was sixteen years old, but when he’s not helping customers at Iron Hill, he can be found at the gym, cooking his own meals at home or training to be a volunteer firefighter at the Kimberton Fire Company. I caught up with Eric to learn some of his favorite things about Iron Hill, Phoenixville, food and beer.
Phoenixville Dish: What do you like most about working at Iron Hill in Phoenixville?
Eric: The best part of working for Iron Hill is that it’s not just a job, it’s a family. But if I had to narrow it down to one thing it would be the guests—they are another part of the family, some of them are not just guests, they are now friends. It’s an amazing feeling to have a full bar on a Friday evening and know everyone by name. To see that family walk in and the kids are excited to see you as well as the parents, it makes coming to work worth it, to get to know other people and hear their stories and be able to serve them a fresh brew to complete the day.
What’s your favorite item on the menu?
Hands down, our voodoo shrimp. I probably get it at least 3 to 4 times a week. It’s shrimp in a spicy barbecue sauce, that’s got just the right amount of heat, with sour cream and rice to cool it down a notch if needed. I usually get mine with extra rice (and sometimes extra shrimp!) to make it into a meal rather than an appetizer.
When you’re not working, what’s another bar or restaurant in Phoenixville where you like to hang out?
As far as going out, Lauren (my girlfriend) and I don’t like to eat out much, I’d rather just cook food at home. Sorry to disappoint on that question.
So you’re training to be a firefighter. What is that training like? Are there requirements for certification?
Becoming a firefighter was something that I always wanted to do. I finally applied and before I knew it I was getting gear and learning all the ins and outs. The training process is very eye opening, learning everything they do in the field. Since I just started and have no fire knowledge or training, I am what they call an exterior, meaning I can only help on the exterior of a fire. I’ve been taught just the basics right now, such as hitting a hydrant, raising a ladder, unpacking and repacking a hand line and just basic knowledge of all the equipment on the trucks, what they are used for and how to use them. I plan to start fire school in the fall to get all the requirements to be an interior.
When you are at the gym, what’s your least favorite workout?
Cardio! I’m not a fan of running. Plain and simple, I tend to make up excuses such as I have bad knees from years of high school and college sports. But it all boils down to I don’t like to run!
What sports did you play in high school?
I played football and lacrosse at Downingtown East.
Name your favorite Iron Hill beer.
I knew the beer question was coming! I like to drink what’s seasonal; loving the hefeweizens right now, but if I had to narrow it down to just one beer, it would be a combination (which I know means I didn’t really narrow it down to one). The base would be our raspberry wheat with chocolate stout on top. It tastes just like chocolate-covered raspberries!
Photo credits: Nina Lea Photography.
