Cheers for Temple Made Beer

Dressler Estate
Downingtown, PA
Olga Dressler, TYL ’10

Husband-and-wife owners and cider makers Brian and Olga Dressler, TYL ’10, grew from a homebrewing hobby to a pursuit of creating ciders that were absent from the market. Using all local apples and a winemaker’s approach, Dressler Estate ciders tantalize the palate with bolder, more complex flavors that push the limits for diehard cider fans. For example, dry cider styles like the crowd favorite Modern Sparkling are inspired by traditional European ciders to be an earthy, crisp and bubbly sipper.

Dressler Estate is also one of the very few cideries in the states embracing still (uncarbonated) cider, like Modern Still, which is fruit-forward with bright acidity. Dressler Estate ciders can be found in bottles and cans at farmers’ markets in Phoenixville, Chestnut Hill and Rittenhouse or on draft at their weekly beer/cider garden along the Brandywine River in scenic Chester County. Additionally, Dressler Estate will partner with other Temple alumni-owned businesses like Interstate Drafthouse, Humble Parlor Brewing Company and SouthHouse to feature their ciders in the coming months.

“Being Temple Made means working hard and efficiently to make your dreams come to life. My passion and skills found their perfect fit, and thanks to my Temple education, I felt prepared to become an entrepreneur,” says Dressler.

Forest and Main
Ambler, PA
Daniel Endicott, TYL '05

Longtime friends Daniel Endicott, TYL '05, and Gerard Olson both had a passion for homebrewing; Endicott drew inspiration from traditional English styles, while Gerard favored Belgian varieties. The pair decided to combine their passions and talents, resulting in a delightful assortment of classic ales and lagers alongside sophisticated saisons. Fun fact: Tyler School of Art graduate Endicott also hand-draws the labels that adorn each beer they produce.

Forest and Main opened in Ambler in 2012, named after the cross streets of their converted 1880s Victorian home turned pub. Today, Forest and Main has grown from a cozy, charming local gem to two Ambler locations (a brewery/taproom and a larger pub) with increased capacity and a stellar reputation. Their pub in the heart of Ambler is the place to go for a pint and a game of darts. The new Brewery Bar features a full selection of draft beer, cask ale and sidepull lagers, as well as some rare draft selections and a rotating lineup of food trucks and special events.

Great Notion Brewing
Portland, OR; Seattle, WA and Sacramento, CA
Paul Reiter, KLN ’00

Great Notion Brewing (GNB) was started by Paul Reiter, KLN ’00, and two friends with a mission to keep beer fun. Today GNB occupies four taprooms on the West Coast and a digital world full of surprises. GNB celebrates playfulness and new ideas with hazy, fruit-forward IPAs and “culinary-inspired” sours and stouts. Using fresh ingredients like Oregon fruits, this team brews wondrous award-winning creations reminiscent of milkshakes, lattes, smoothies, candies and more. One of their most viral sensations is Bicycle Day, which mystifies the senses with a bright green hue, mixed berry aromas and stone fruit and citrus flavors. This world of imagination expands to the GNB mobile app, allowing fans to explore a virtual world of “beer and bigfoots,” collect points and badges and unlock fantastical characters.

Human Robot
Philadelphia and Jenkintown, PA
Andrew Foss, CLA ’09

Human Robot, located in Kensington and Jenkintown, is co-owned by head brewer Andrew Foss, CLA ’09. This eclectic brewery is known for experimenting with both classic European and modern, innovative techniques. In fact, the two drastically different styles inspired the name Human Robot. From lagers and Pilsners to fruited sours, stouts and IPAs, there is a wide variety of brews to choose from. One local favorite and award-winning creation is the CZECH 10°, a beautiful bready malt balanced with a kiss of floral, German Pils malt and Saaz hops.

Humble Parlor Brewing
Philadelphia, PA
Alex Howell, FOX ’16, and Maria Caldarise, FOX ’15

After years of drafting plans for their speakeasy-style microbrewery, husband-and-wife owners Alex Howell, FOX ’16, and Maria Caldarise, FOX ’15, opened Humble Parlor in Kensington in 2022. This labor of love welcomes you into a living room atmosphere with couches, coffee tables, cozy vibes and personal touches. Howell meticulously crafts each beer to tell a sentimental story that unfolds as you explore the tap list.

The most popular brew is the Wedding Day IPA, conceived—before the brewery itself—for Howell and Caldarise’s special day. This beer carries the love and joy from their nuptials with potent hops, citra, mosaic and el dorado. The bursting citrus, tropical fruit and hops from this hazy IPA are so beautiful you’ll “find yourself whispering ’til death do us part.’” To uncover this hidden gem, you’ll need to follow the directions on their Instagram or website, which includes texting the word “BEER” for a building entry code. Humble Parlor recently opened a second location in Fishtown and looks forward to expanding their beers into a few local bars and festivals.

Interstate Drafthouse
Philadelphia, PA
Michael McCloskey, FOX ’96 and Robert Ritchie, FOX ’95

Owned by Michael McCloskey, FOX ’96, Robert Ritchie, FOX ’95, and Keith Dailey, this community staple in the heart of Fishtown allows friends and neighbors to socialize and relax over iced tea cocktails and creative pub fare with southern touches. While famously known as the birthplace of “Fishtown Iced Tea,” Interstate Drafthouse also passionately curates a menu of unique rotating brews, including many Temple Made beers on this list. McCloskey is also a professor at Temple and faculty advisor for the Temple University Craft Beer Enthusiasts Club, where members learn about the history and process of making craft beer.

Love City Brewing Company
Philadelphia, PA
Melissa Walter, EDU ’11

Husband and wife team Kevin and Melissa Walter, EDU ’11, believe there’s a special kind of unity when people from different walks of life come together to unwind with a good beer. Their brewery, Love City Brewing Company, celebrates that unity with its commitment to equity and inclusion. From the ramp entrance and all-gender full-privacy restrooms to the Safe Bar certification and specialized staff training, Love City Brewing is built to be a welcoming, inclusive space and intentionally designed to be as accessible to as many people as possible. You can enjoy drinking a cold brew this summer in the new outdoor green garden oasis, Love City Gardens. Inspired by the neighborhood, the top pick is the triple-hopped Eraserhood Hazy IPA with a smooth round body and bold flavors of mango and pineapple.

“Temple alumni have a reputation for being scrappy or having resourcefulness and perseverance. I think that holds true for our business! We did a LOT of work ourselves: painting, finishing work and design, because Owls always get the job done!” says Melissa Walter.

Lunacy Brewing Company
Haddon Heights, NJ
Michael Lees, CLA ’15

Michael Lees, CLA ’15, and his partners have proclaimed themselves “crazy about beer.” It’s only fitting that these four friends and home brewers would get together and open a brewery called Lunacy Brewing Company. Their New Jersey tasting room allows guests to try unique artisan concoctions in a casual, friendly space that feels like visiting a friend’s house. These fun flavors include Peace, Love and Pickles Gose, brewed with coriander, salt and pickle brine, and the Orange Creamsicle Moonshake that will transport you to an ice cream stand on the beach. Lunacy Brewing Company is always experimenting and pushing the boundaries to come up with fun and interesting new beers to surprise you.

Parks on Tap
Philadelphia, PA (multiple pop-ups)
Avram Hornik, Esq., LAW ’98

It wouldn’t be summer without Parks on Tap! Parks on Tap is the city’s traveling beer garden founded by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy and FCM Hospitality, owned by Avram Hornik, Esq., LAW ’98. This family- and dog-friendly park pop-up offers a variety of weekly activities and beer on tap from Hornik’s Mainstay Independent. Be sure to try the golden, fruity and hoppy brew, Love Your Parks Pale Ale. A portion of all proceeds is donated to Fairmount Park Conservancy to help restore and maintain Philly’s parks.

Samsaric Brewing Company
Sold in PA, DE, NJ and NY
Robert Chacko, FOX ’98

Owned by Robert Chacko, FOX ’98, Samsaric Brewing Company is more than just a company specializing in making exceptional craft beer. Samaric is a Sanskrit term that translates to “continuous flow.” At this brewery, this idea translates to the flow of life, human connection, purpose and, of course, beer. For this reason, Samsaric Brewing Company sets aside a portion of revenue to give to several charities supporting the community’s needs locally, nationally and, when possible, globally. This “more-than-just-for-profit” company crafts signature Belgian and American ales using the traditions of the past world brewers and celebrates creative innovations with a white chocolate Belgian ale and a passionfruit witbier. Look for Samaric brews and discover how they provide a whole new perspective on living life to the fullest while drinking great beer.

Second District Brewing Company (LPMG)
Philadelphia, PA
John Longacre, FOX ’02

LPMG, owned by John Longacre, FOX ’02, uses once-forgotten properties and transforms them into neighborhood gathering places while maintaining much of the unique, original architecture and industrial aesthetic. Among these properties are a range of settings to enjoy beer: a brewpub, Second District Brewing; a taproom, South Philadelphia Tap Room; a gastropub, American Sardine Bar; a beer and coffee bottle shop, Brew; and a park pop-up, Point Breeze Pop-Up. The quality brews at these locations start with the ingredients grown on Second District Brew Farm and a heavy dose of pushing the boundaries by using unique techniques like barrel aging and mixed fermentation, or exploring unconventional brewing ingredients like exotic fruits and spices. Their signature South Philly delight, Wheat Wooder, is offered at most locations. Wheat Wooder is a hoppy American table beer with light notes of peach and nectarine along with whispers of freshly mixed dough, Meyer lemon, rolling grassy meadows and gentle spice.

Second Sin Brewing Company
Bristol, PA
Mike Beresky, FOX ’10

At Second Sin, co-owned by Mike Beresky, FOX ’10, the rotating beer menu will keep you coming back for more (hence the name alluding to the second sin of gluttony). Not having flagship beers allows these longtime friends to experiment with recipes and styles while giving guests new and exciting brews with each visit. The beers they’re most known for are their Northeastern Single Hopped Double IPA Series, Singularity, brewed with one hop variety to make a double IPA with pure, expressive flavor, and their cobbler-inspired sour ale series, It’s Cobblerin’ Time, brewed with a crust-like malt, cinnamon, vanilla, lactose and a rotating variety of fruits. Be sure to stop by because they’ll host a special event each month this summer. Check out Beresky’s alumni profile in Temple Now.

“My interest blossomed while discussing the newest craft beers with friends at Temple. The encouragement and education I gained on campus and in the Fox School allowed me to follow my dream. It’s also fantastic to see how many of my peers have done the same. Temple provided the necessary foundation to pursue our dreams of entrepreneurship,” says Beresky.

SouthHouse
Philadelphia, PA
Anthony Notarfrancesco, FOX ’76

In 2019, Brothers Emil and Anthony Notarfrancesco, FOX ’76, fulfilled a long-held dream of becoming business owners just like their great-great-grandfather from Italy. Their bar, SouthHouse, is a fun neighborhood spot with diverse craft beer (including some Temple Made brews) and delicious American cuisine with the largest gluten-free menu in the city and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.

Victory Brewing Company
Downingtown, Parkesburg and Philadelphia, PA
Bill Covaleski, TYL ’85

Co-owned by founder and master brewer Bill Covaleski, TYL ’85 and Ron Barchet, Victory Brewing Company is a pioneer and Philadelphia staple. These two partners and friends wrote a business plan for a small-scale brewery in 1994 when only 460 breweries existed in the U.S.; today there are over 9,200. Covaleski credits the rich culture of the vibrant community around Tyler School of Art for his interest in creating Victory Brewing Company.

After brewing studies in Germany, he felt compelled to bring ideas for fresh, traditionally produced beers to the community and fellow Owls he knew would appreciate them. In fact, Covaleski partnered with Temple to release the limited edition Cherry and White ale for Homecoming and Family Weekend in 2019. One of the company’s oldest and most loved brews is the Golden Monkey. This warm 9.5% a.b.v. brew packs the bold Belgian yeast character of banana and clove and a light, earthy hop with notes of orange and spice. Golden Monkey and the rest of Victory’s beers have led the small-scale brewery forefront and are now a part of many stories and memories of thirst-quenching good times that you can look forward to all summer at their locations.

“At Tyler, I was part of the restlessly curious crowd of adventurers, creators and innovators Temple is known for. Creating Victory beer’s small-scale concept was a vast innovation to the industrial status quo. It is not for the faint of heart, but being Temple Made speaks to the fortitude of individuals who land at Temple to improve their opportunities and then continuously proceed to improve entire industries once inspired by the teachers, community and their high-flying peers,” says Covaleski.

Wissahickon Brewing Company
Philadelphia, PA
Jim Gill Sr, CLA ‘93

The Wissahickon Brewing Company story begins with a dad (Head Brewer & Founder Tim Gill Sr, CLA ‘93,) and his three sons and one daughter homebrewing in their mother’s kitchen in 2009. After years of recipe formulation, education, and a lot of hard work and ambition, the Gill family fulfilled their dream and officially opened the doors of Wissahickon Brewing Company in 2017. This completely family-owned and operated micro brewery has grown into a lively tasting room, beer garden and event space. And the Wissahickon Brewing Company has made their mark on regional and national stages with first-place awards for Devil’s Pool IPA, Kelpius Kave Belgian Strong, and Raisin’ Cane Ale.