How a taproom, beer garden planned in Boalsburg will create a ‘ecosystem for arts’
A taproom and beer garden is in the works for Boalsburg, which owners hope will become a community asset and highlight the work at the Boal Mansion Museum.
Though the name of the taproom is still being finalized, Boal Beer Works, Inc. is the entity that will request the zoning permit from Harris Township, Gordon Kauffman said.
Kauffman, who is a partner in the project, has lived in the Boalsburg community for more than 30 years. He’s done volunteer work with organizations like the Nittany Mountain Bike Association and CentreBike, he said, and recognized that though the community can be Penn State focused, there are other resources.
Through thinking about creating something that he would enjoy in the area, as well as continue to improve the community, he got the idea for the taproom. The 2,500 square foot building will include a 1,000 square foot brew house and a 1,500 square foot taproom. It will be located on the Boal Mansion Property on Boal Avenue, Boalsburg. They have a land lease there and have worked closely with the Boal Mansion during this process.
“We will coexist together and create what I think is a very cool ... ecosystem for arts,” Kauffman said. “We’ll have the taproom there and ... the (Boal Mansion) already has the theater and museum there. There’s 38 acres there and there’s gardens and stuff like that. So it’s really going to become, I think, a great community asset from that standpoint.”
The taproom will be small and intimate, but there will be plenty of outdoor space and seating for people, an important aspect for Kauffman. Picnic tables, Adirondack chairs and games will be available outside, and it will be kid and pet friendly.
State College native Mike Smith has been hired as the brewer, Kauffman said. He previously worked at Dogfish Head Brewing Company, Ithaca Brewing Company and Barrel 21, and brings a ton of experience, Kauffman said.
“We’ll have a seven barrel brew house on site, which is really important to me,” Kauffman said. “We’re about local craft beer and ... we want to focus on local and state products, and people.”
The Harris Township Supervisors gave final approval for the land development, with some contingencies, during their meeting on March 14. If everything goes according to the plan, Kauffman expects it to be open by mid fall.
“We’re just really excited. We’re excited for Boalsburg; ... this project has always been about the community and not just the Boalsburg community, but the surrounding and broader community as well,” Kauffman said. “We’re just excited to get this thing rolling. It’s been a long, long process, it’s taken a lot of persistence.”
