Beer fans know that the best beers are brewed by beer lovers. For as long as artisans have been alchemizing water and hops into ales and stouts, the drink has inspired passion, innovation and creation, and few American cities take the associated responsibility more seriously than Philly. It is unsurprising, then, that two Philadelphians are preparing to loose the next great beer sensation on the city; Connor Sheridan and Jon Henning are launching a new brewery called Prime Station Brewing, and while the project will be rolled out in phases, locals can look forward to sampling the concept’s wares as soon as late July or early August.
A press release provided to What Now Philadelphia explains that Prime Station is currently brewing up its first two beers-”Cult of the Divine”, described as “a 4.5% ABV dry-hopped pale lager inspired by the history of the Divine Lorraine Hotel” and “Howling Wilderness”, a “5% ABV extra pale ale, inspired by a quote about Philadelphia’s early years before urbanization.”
The beer names and descriptions are immediate indicators of just how passionately dedicated Prime Station Brewing is to expressing its love for Philly; in fact, the entire brewery is functionally a love letter to the city. Sheridan and Henning recognize that both Philadelphia and the beer they produce should be fun; to that end the duo have created a delightful and whimsical backstory for their venture; spoiler alert, one which involves time travel. However, no one can say it better than Prime Station itself:
“Prime Station’s branding tells the story of a steampunk-era character, Axel Hopsworth, who was a brewer, entrepreneur, and inventor living in 1860’s Philadelphia. Axel lived in the basement of a train station on Washington Avenue, then known as Prime Street. He built a time machine that suddenly transported him through Philadelphia’s illustrious history. But after time hopping to 2025, he was encouraged to see the brewing industry thriving after the post-prohibition decline, and realized a new era of culture and art was flourishing in Philly. He decided to permanently remain in 2025, with the goal of eventually opening a new Prime Station, an all-day space where Philadelphians can come together to share the best beer, food, art and community the city has to offer.”
While it may be awhile before fans of the brand can sit down in a dedicated space to enjoy a beer, don’t lose hope, it’s on the horizon. Sheridan and Henning have a very clear vision for the South Philly taproom they hope to open on Washington Avenue. The pair describe it as “Beyond serving as a destination for great beer, the founders want the space to serve as a ‘third place,’ a community hub, offering coffee during the day, partnering with local restaurateurs to offer different food options, and hosting events and art galleries. The draft list will lean heavier on lighter, sessionable, yet flavorful beers, while also rounding out the list with beers that can pack a punch.“
There is not yet a projected date for the taproom, however with the release of Prime Station’s first beers, Philly locals are certain to be thirsty for more, which Sheridan and Henning are excited to provide. Follow Prime Station Brewing on its Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.
