Walking into the new Boxcar Brewpub feels like a step back in time to an era where the community could gather together in an inviting, relaxed atmosphere with a cool easygoing vibe. And that’s exactly how owners Jamie and Kymberly Robinson want you to feel when you enter their new establishment. They liken Boxcar Brewpub to a speakeasy, where “thirsty individuals looking to let off a little steam could gather” during the prohibition era. Of course, the sounds of smooth jazz, swing and big bands playing in the background help to give that old time feel, too.
For several years, Boxcar Brewing Company has been producing their beers out of their warehouse brewery located in an industrial center on Westtown Road in West Chester. Although they continue to produce all of their beers there, they always knew they wanted to have a place where the hungry and thirsty could gather together to share in food, drink and fun.
The brewpub is separated into three distinct areas, each with its own feel. When you walk in, you immediately see the long wooden bar. Pull up a stool, grab a beer or a glass of one of their featured local wines or ciders and hang out with friends and co-workers.
When you travel further into the pub, you will enter the beer garden with picnic tables, string lighting, old-school arcade games (some of them—Ms. Pacman, Centipede and a racing game—are free to play), board games, cards and even dominoes. Jamie and Kymberly created this part of the brewpub with families, specifically their daughter, Stella, in mind. Not only will games keep the little ones entertained, but Jamie and Kymberly also have big plans for the stage and large screen located at the back of the first floor. They plan to show kids’ movies on some Sundays and possibly some musical entertainment, too.
If you are looking to escape from the grind of your daily life, then head upstairs to the lounge. You’ll feel like you are gathered at a friend’s house with the comfortable plush couches and chairs, bookshelves, kitschy decor and dim lighting. Because the Robinsons don’t think play is just for kids, you’ll find fun table games placed around the room, too.
If you’ve ventured to Boxcar Brewpub, it is probably for the beer. The brewing operation has been taken over by Tom Connors. As the new head brewer, Tom has tweaked some of Boxcar’s original recipes and brewed some new ones after receiving training at Chicago’s prestigious Siebel Institute of Technology. I suggest getting a sampler, which comes in a cute crate with a mini blackboard that lists your beers. Right now, Boxcar has several flagship beers they are producing including Passenger (English-style mild session ale), Mango Ginger Pale Ale, 1492 American Pale Ale (brewed with Columbus hops—get it?) and Boomer (English-style brown ale). There are several seasonal brews available, too, including Third R’Ale Tripel and Hop-A-Board IPA, which was named by the community.
The kitchen is in the capable hands of Chef Jennifer Hiddleson, formerly of Roger’s Bistro. The menu concentrates on homemade, non-processed comfort foods like pulled-pork sandwiches (made with Mango Ginger Ale) and hot roast beef and beer cheese, both made with Boomer. You’ll also find scratch-made items like flatbreads, hummus and pita, pico de gallo and chips, tomato soup and Caesar salad. Parents, the kids’ menu includes homemade chicken fingers, cheese quesadillas and all-natural Fountainhead craft sodas, too.
Community has always been an important part of the the Boxcar story, from inviting the public to help out in the brewery on canning days, representing Boxcar at beer and food festivals or helping out at their incredibly popular Ride the Rails events. I’ve volunteered for all of these activities and not only learned about beer and brewing, but made friends and had a lot of fun.
At Boxcar, the Robinsons feel that “community is king.” They want your feedback and support to help shape the direction of the Brewpub. Feel free to share your ideas for Boxcar Brewpub so they can meet the needs of their patrons. They want you to feel that Boxcar belongs to the community and that when you walk through the doors, you’ve come home.
Find Boxcar Brewpub at 142 E. Market St. in West Chester; (484) 947-2503.
Parking tip: If visiting to fill up a growler, there is a loading zone directly in front of the Brewpub for 15-minute intervals. There are plenty of parking lots and on-street meters that accept both cash and credit. Do not park in the lot directly across from the Brewpub, as it is a tow zone.
Interior/bar photos: Boxcar Brewing Company; sampler/growler photos: Ronna Dewey
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