On the Point Brewery added to Beer Circuit
By Steve Ferris
Eagle Staff Writer
EVANS CITY — The Butler County Beer Circuit recently added a craft brewery in Evans City to its loop.
The addition of On the Point Brewing, 1328 Mars-Evans City Road, brings the number of locally owned breweries in the circuit to 11. “This is the first time any of us have gotten into anything like this,” said Ross Marshall, one of four co-owners.
The Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau started the Beer Circuit about a year ago to draw craft beer aficionados to the growing number of local breweries in the county.
“We've seen people from as far away as the Laurel Highlands, Ohio, Erie, Pittsburgh and Washington County. People come from all over the place to try the different beers,” said Jack Cohen, bureau president.
To complete the circuit, beer drinkers pick up a Passport to Hoppiness card from the bureau office in Zelienople, any of the bureau's 35 brochure racks located throughout the county or any of the 11 breweries. They take the cards to each of the breweries, where the staff will stamp the cards with their specially designed stamps. When the card is full, the card holder takes it to the bureau office in Zelienople and redeems it for a special beer mug and other gifts.
“There's lot of folks that have done that — well over 75. A lot of people like it. It's their night out,” Cohen said.
Marshall said he hasn't received the passport cards yet, but expects them soon.
The brewery opened the week before Thanksgiving last year and has been attracting a loyal following of returning patrons and new customers. Among the most popular of its beers are the harvest lager and champ IPA, Marshall said.
Before they went into business together, co-owners George Reese, Matt Gollick, Julie Breitenbach and Marshall would get together with friends to taste the craft beers they liked.
“We thought, 'We can do this.' It turned into brewing at home and having friends over to try them. We just always had a passion for craft brewing and wanted to take it to the next level,” Marshall said.
The other breweries on the circuit include Butler Brew Works, Cellar Works Brewing Co., Missing Links Brewery, North Country Brewing Co., Reclamation Brewing Company, Recon Brewing, ShuBrew: Handcrafted Ales & Food, Stick City Brewing Company, Burgh'ers Brewing and Dented Keg Brewing Company.
Other new additions featured on the Passport to Hoppiness include the new location of ShuBrew: Handcrafted Ales & Food, which is across the street from the previous location on Main Street in Zelienople, and a second location for Recon Brewing at the Crossroads at Meeder in Cranberry Township, slated to open this summer.
