Olde Bedford Brewing Company was honored to receive one of the highest honors at the 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show!
Our Next Door Lemon~Lavender Sour received the Best in Show award for PA Preferred. This is an award for a product that uses PA Preferred local products.
OBBC is proud to receive such a high honor. Come by our tasting room and try one of our award winning brews!
Olde Bedford Brewing Company’s owners, David and Mary Heller are featured in this episode of Fermented Adventures.
Mary purchased Dave a Mr. Beer Kit. The first foray into home brewing was a success. To Mary’s surprise, it quickly developed from a hobby into an addiction to home brew. She thought that this would entertain Dave for a couple of months and he would move on. She had no idea that 7 years later that all of it would turn into a business. Olde Bedford Brewing is their “retirement job”. They even grow their own hops on their ranch. Quickly they developed followers of their beer and the brewery began to blossom from there. Passion drives the grain to glass philosophy. “Join the Whiskey Rebellion… drink beer” is their slogan. We had a tremendous time sitting down with Dave and Mary on the podcast. We learned so much about the history of Bedford, beer and the brewery. Take a side trip off the PA Turnpike and go visit them. You’ll be glad that you did.
Links to the podcast can be found on this page.
Olde Bedford Brewing Company’s “Bedford Butcher Brew” places third in the 2021 Pa. Farm Show’s craft beer competition. This was the second time in a row that OldeBBC was recognized with an award-winning brew.
For the third year, a variety breweries, from well-known brands to smaller ventures, earned awards in the annual Pa. Farm Show craft beer competition.
This year’s award comes in the barrel-aged category. “We are honored to be recognized as one of the top breweries in PA”, said owner Dave Heller.
Read the full article here: https://www.pennlive.com/farm-show/2021/01/here-are-winners-from-2021-pa-farm-shows-craft-beer-competition.html?fbclid=IwAR1SF_KhClOIg_Mrc_tbzIIno4GreOFXlO0GeOg–QmYcfNe8vkWFGUyo7I.
Uncovering PA, a website dedicated to identifying the best things to do in Pennsylvania. You may not know that Pennsylvania produces more craft beer than any other state in the country.
OldeBBC is proud of the historical legacy of our hometown, Bedford PA. Our customers recognize the ties we have made between our recipes and the rich history of our region.
Hops and History has written a book about the many breweries around the country that are honoring the people, places, and events in their regions. They have included a feature about us and our 1794 Rebellion Rye IPA, which is named after the Whiskey Rebellion. This beer and its name ties into the rich history of our town and its role in the rebellion and to President George Washington and Alexander Hamilton.
For more information, check out the Hops and History website.
Olde BBC is proud to receive two awards from the first Pennsylvania Farm Show Beer Competition in January 2019. In early December 2018, expert judges evaluated 152 entries in 14 categories from 28 craft breweries across the state. Entries ranging from Schwarzbiers to Hefeweizens, and Saisons to Stouts illustrated the diverse range and quality of Pennsylvania-produced craft brews and the creativity of the state’s brewers.
“We are thrilled at the quality and variety of entries for our first statewide beer contest,” Cook said. “This enthusiastic group of craft brewers demonstrates the passion, talent, and drive that has made Pennsylvania number one in the nation. Congratulations to our competitors, and to their customers who will enjoy the taste of their success.”
Olde BBC entered two brews in “Fruit, Herb, Vegetable” category. “Fat Jimmy’s Arancia Orange Peel Wheat” won Third place in the competition. And we are proud to announce that our “Sons of the Forest Spruce Tip Ale” won First Place!
Below are pictures of owners David & Mary Heller and Assistant Brewer Jay Thorpe.
Click here for the press release.
Brewers of PA is a non-profit association that brings together leaders of Pennsylvania based breweries, businesses that support brewing and enthusiast members in order to promote and protect the brewing industry in the state. On their website, they wrote an article about OldeBBC and highlighted our unique approach to connecting brewing with the local history and economy, and how we utilize local products in the production of many of our brews.
What are “Firkin Fridays”? First, what is a “firkin”?
fir·kin
/ˈfərkən/
noun historical
- a small cask used chiefly for liquids, butter, or fish.
a unit of liquid volume equal to half a kilderkin (about 11 gallons or 41 liters).
This month we feature “Railroad to Freedom Wheat”
This beer is made with Williamette Hops and accented with our own Hideaway Ranch Cascade Hops.
ABV: 5%
Served On-Tap or On-Cask
A tribute to Bedford’s role in the Underground Railroad: Under the direction of John Fidler, Elias Rouse or Joseph Crawley, who would arrange for the safe transport of passengers to the Quaker settlement or to the Blair County line.
Come visit us at our store located inside of Fat Jimmy’s Outfitters in Bedford, PA. And don’t forget to visit our shoppe and purchase your custom OldeBBC gear!
We were so encouraged by the great turnout for our ribbon cutting on Tuesday, March 6th. Well over 100 people attended the event and opened up Bedford’s first microbrewery in style!
Now that we are “officially” opened, we want to remind you that our hours are the following:
We look forward to seeing you soon. Enjoy the video of our opening ceremony.
The January/February 2018 issue of “The New Brewer” magazine features breweries utilizing unique synergistic relationships with other businesses to expand their customer base. The magazine is published by the Brewers Association, which supports small and independent craft breweries. This issue’s topic was “the Business of Beer”. It focused on the value of infrequent customers, unusual business models, exports, ESOPs, and satellite tasting rooms. It highlights the OldeBBC and Fat Jimmy’s innovative business model.
The article describes another brewery which combined a bicycle repair shop and a brewery under one roof. They found that a lot of cyclists either begin or end their day at the brewery. “We hope to find a similar interest from the customer’s of Fat Jimmy’s”, owner Dave Heller said.
Jimmy Fungaroli, a long-time friend of the Hellers, owns Fat Jimmy’s Outfitters. He offered them space last year. OldeBBC will utilize 1500 square feet inside his building and another 500 square feet outside for a patio. A split-rail fence will wall off the brewing business from the sporting goods store. The businesses are co-located at 109 Railroad Street, in Bedford, PA.
The businesses will attempt to find synergies between their customers. For example, participants in Fat Jimmy’s weekly cycling classes will receive a dollar off pints.
Additionally, Olde Bedford Brewing Company plans to open a remote taproom at the Heller’s Hideaway Ranch, near the Blue Knob State Park. Riders who take advantage of the beautiful scenery and incredible biking trails will be able to stop in for a cold beer during their ride.
The Brewery intends to open this Spring. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
We know there is a rich tradition of brewing in Pennsylvania and the early American colonies. But clues found in the Reiley Ledger from the late 18th century give clues to an early Bedford County brewing tradition. (see photos below)
The consumption of beer was common in the colonies. (Smith, 1998) For example, scholars have presented evidence a standard breakfast of the period included “cold meat with a pint of good ale or cider.” (Smith, 1998) Additionally, new arrivals to the colonies in eastern Pennsylvania found a large selection of beer. (Smith, 1998) One of these Philadelphia newcomers was Benjamin Franklin, who in 1745 wrote how he enjoyed a stout ale with other pleasures. (Smith, 1998)
During the time leading up to the famous Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, Philadelphia’s and Bedford’s favorite visitor, George Washington, was himself partial to a good Porter (a roasty, caramelly beer). (Baron, 1962) Additionally, in the 1760s, he was known to purchase his porter from Robert Hare of Philadelphia. (Baron, 1962) During the 1790s, Washington was also purchasing his Porter from another Philadelphia brewer, Benjamin Morris. (Baron, 1962) Additionally, by 1796, as Washington was finalizing his plans for leaving his presidency, he “… procure a groce of good Porter to be taken there….” (Baron, 1962) OBBC would argue, when George came to put down the Whiskey Rebellion, he continued to enjoy a good Porter!
OldeBBC reviewed the Store Ledger kept by Martin Reiley 1788-1816, Bedford, PA. (Reiley, 1788) This examination provided us with a window into the past. The use of distilled spirits in around Bedford, as a local commodity, is evident while examining the many eateries with the words, Gin, Whiskey, Wine, Sherry, and French Brandy. But a closer examination of some of the entries, reveals the possible evidence of the spirit of homebrewing and beer consumption in the county. Consequently, we believe these are clues to an undiscovered Bedford County brewing tradition.
According to the ledger, In 1797, Conrad Atley, purchased along with other sundries, some British Ale. Later, in 1798, Jacob Helm purchased some molasses along with wine and other sundries. (Reiley, 1788) During this time, molasses was one of the key ingredients of a small beer recipe. (Baron, 1962) Also, in 1798, Noah Bowser purchased a “Kettle.” (Reiley, 1788) A brew kettle is a critical part of the brewing process, even in today’s brewing process. Although OldeBBC may never know if these precursors were used to brew beer, we would like to think so. Therefore, it is this tradition, OldeBBC will embrace.
In their October/November 2017 Issue, Mid-Atlantic Brewing News spotlights Olde Bedford Brewing Company’s plans to open soon in Bedford, Pennsylvania. The article, entitled “Resuming the Rebellion”, spotlights the unique partnership between OldeBBC and Fat Jimmy’s Outfitters. The two businesses joined forces this year to offer a unique business model. They also believe this will resonate with patrons of both businesses.
The article touches on the historical significance of Bedford, and its place in the history of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. George Washington (a brewmaster of his own right) used the Espy House, at 121 E. Pitt Street, as his headquarters when he and the United States Army marched into Pennsylvania to put down the rebellion.
Olde Bedford Brewing Company taps into this history with our slogan, “Join the Whiskey Rebellion,… Drink Beer!”.
Owners David and Mary Heller plan to use spring water from their farm, “Hideaway Ranch”, on Blue Knob Mountain. They also grow their own award-winning hops, which has received much attention from agriculture experts in the state.
OldeBBC plans to open its doors in early 2018. The ten-tap brewpub will occupy a portion of Jimmy Fungeroli’s sporting goods business. Additionally, he brew pub will feature rustic decor and will continue to play on the theme of the town’s historic relevance in the whiskey rebellion and other early American history. Check out items available in their store.
Bedford, a town of 2800, is the county seat of Bedford County, PA. The Hellers are native of the area and are seeing their dream of opening a brew pub come true this year. Most of all, as the first brewery ever to sell beer in Bedford, we are excited to build a new legacy for our great town.
Click here to go to the article in the Mid-Atlantic Brewing News October/November 2017 Issue.
