Brews, games, food, event space: What to expect at Bellefonte’s Axemann Brewery

A new brewery is coming to Bellefonte this spring, offering an experience unlike anything beer aficionados (and just lovers of a good brewery experience) have yet to find in Centre County. Axemann Brewery will open in the former Cerro Metal Factory in Titan Energy Park, with a projected opening date of late March or April.

The brewery is the brainchild of Rod Stahl, a former home brewer who, after collaborating with his coworkers to make some larger batches of brew, decided to pursue a desire to brew on a larger scale.

“I was keeping my eyes and ears open for any opportunities, and this site at the old former Cerro Metal facility was brought to my attention,” Stahl said. “I started looking at it and it grew from there, very gradually, over the course of about a year.”

What started as an idea for a simple brewery, though, has evolved into a brewery-meets-restaurant-meets-entertainment and event venue — a one-stop shop for fun and high-quality eats and drinks in the Bellefonte area. Stahl was introduced to Ciara Semack, owner of Bellefonte’s The Blonde Bistro, by a mutual friend, and it became clear the two would make a good business fit.

Stahl first had no desire to incorporate food, but as the project evolved and the taproom became bigger than he’d originally thought, he realized there would be a definite need.

“I was looking for someone who would be interested in just the food part, and not the beverages, not the beer, someone who was already doing catering, which Ciara was,” he said. “She makes good food ... and the first time I met her I felt really comfortable and felt it was going to be a good relationship.”

Semack agrees, citing a lack of space and parking, as well as her 135 S. Allegheny St. bistro’s current BYOB policy, as being hindrances to providing that “one-stop shop” experience Axemann Brewing will offer.

The Cerro Metal Factory certainly helps in making Stahl and Semack’s vision for the venue a reality. The large space, industrial feel and close proximity to nature combine for a unique atmosphere.

“We’re definitely keeping the metal steel mill look,” Stahl said. “We’re against a beautiful stream, so we have this sharp contrast of a very industrial-looking facility set right next to a very pristine stream and hillside. There’s a railroad track on the other side of the stream.”

The brewery will also bring people close to the brewing process, he said.

“There’ll be a second floor that looks out through some windows into the actual brewery and we’re hoping to use that second floor for private parties. It’s a very large space, about 3,000 square feet,” Stahl said.

An indoor game area will have larger games like cornhole and shuffleboard.

“Because the facility is fairly large, we have a lot of space there to do some games like that, where people can relax, bring their kids. ... It’s open seating, so just come in and grab your food and sit anywhere you want,” Stahl said. “It’ll be community seating and it should be a good atmosphere for people to interact with each other.”

The brewery will have a tap system that allows for 12 to 14 different beers, though Stahl clarifies it will take a while to build up his offerings to that amount. Upon opening, however, he hopes to offer one of the brewery’s flagship beers, a Kölsch-style beer; a pilsner; an amber beer that he likens to an Oktoberfest-style brew; several IPAs, likely a West Coast IPA and/or a New England-style hazy IPA; and a dark stout or porter, or both.

Semack plans to keep much of The Blonde Bistro’s existing menu after making the move to Axemann Brewery, but will add on a few German-esque dishes with what she calls a Blonde Bistro twist.

For non-beer drinkers, Stahl expects to offer Pennsylvania-produced spirits and wines.

There seems to be something for everyone at the upcoming Axemann Brewery, whether you just want to check out the unique industrial setting, socialize over a game of cornhole, dine and drink or host a private event. For now, though, it’s just a matter of waiting.

Keep an eye on Axemann Brewery’s progress and watch out for a finalized opening date, on the brewery’s website, axemannbrewery.com, and Instagram, @axemannbrewery.