On Tap is a regular column featuring our recommendations on the most unique new draft beer offerings from local pubs.
Our Recommendation: Boxcar Brewing Company’s Carknocker IPA
Where: Boxcar Brewery, 306 Westtown Rd, West Chester, PA
We all know Fridays are meant for Growler Runs, but one of the better kept secrets if the Growler nights at West Chester’s own Boxcar Brewery.
Boxcar Brewery is located in an industrial park on Westtown Road in the southeast quadrant of West Chester. It’s easy to miss. I drove through the complex twice before locating the neon open sign on the door.
After passing through a small office, I ended up in their warehouse. In one corner, they have built a wooden bar, and the night’s bartender was co-founder Jamie Robinson. On the Friday I stopped in, they had just chalked in Carknocker IPA on their board. Jamie explained this was their newest IPA and that this ale had not yet been delivered to bars.
He poured a free sample, and I gave it a taste. Carknocker pours a light orange color with a frothy head. Citrus notes, followed by a slight taste of pine and a nice bite at the end. At 7.2% ABV, this is a beer to share with friends.
“We wanted to do a West Coast traditional IPA, something that has more of a hop backbone to it,” Jamie explained. He noted they brewed this ale with the warmer months in mind.
“Our Mango Ginger comes across a little too smooth to some people—it doesn’t have that hop bite.” Jamie explained Carknocker uses Bravo hops, which is higher on the alpha scale that denotes bitterness.
As for the name of Carknocker, Jamie educated me on the railroad term. Carknocker is a common nickname for train inspectors, because they traditionally walk along the train with a 2-x-4 in their hand and tapped the undercarriage of the train as a way to search for fluid leaks.
Jamie noted that Carknocker IPA would soon be released to bars in Chester County, and possibly a few bars in Delaware County.
Boxcar Brewery holds Growler Nights on Fridays from 5-7 p.m. Sample beers, hang with friends in their warehouse, and take a growler home.
