WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. - A highly anticipated addition to the Lehigh Valley’s craft beer and dining scene is set to open this weekend.
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, with locations in Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, is planning to host a ribbon cutting and “First Pour Celebration” at 11 a.m. Friday at the Lehigh Valley Mall's outdoor lifestyle center, 950 Lehigh Lifestyle Center, Whitehall Township, according to a news release.
Friday’s celebration will be followed by complimentary lunch and dinner during its mock service preview event (reservations required) before the restaurant’s grand opening to the public at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Iron Hill CEO Chris Westcott, Iron Hill founding partner and vice president of beer Mark Edelson and elected officials will be in attendance at Friday’s festivities.
Iron Hill’s new location will occupy a renovated end end unit that previously housed Bravo! Cucina Italiana, which closed in fall 2022.
Iron Hill traces its origins back to 1990, when founder Kevin Finn received a homebrewing kit as a birthday gift from his wife.
The hobby quickly turned into a passion, and Finn's friend, Mark Edelson, started brewing with him. The duo eventually decided to enter their beers in competitions, garnering some impressive medals along the way.
In 1994, the pair met Kevin Davies, an experienced restaurant professional, and the group would go on to open Iron Hill's first location in 1996 at 147 E. Main St. in Newark, Delaware.
Today, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant has 21 locations in five states. Other regional locations operate in Ardmore, Newtown, North Wales, Phoenixville, and Huntingdon Valley.
Iron Hill offers a variety of signature beers, including a Brambleberry farmhouse ale, Philly Phavorite IPA, Pig Iron Porter, and Vienna Red lager, along with several rotating selections that vary by location.
"That's because our head brewers at each location are always crafting new recipes that appeal to the local craft beer drinker, and tapping some of their favorites, as well!" a message on the business' website reads.
In May, Edelson and his team installed the brewing equipment – including a mash tun, heating exchange, fermentation tanks, serving tanks and a grain mill – at the Lehigh Valley Mall location.
The brewery at Iron Hill Lehigh Valley hopes to produce 750 barrels of beer annually.
“Similar to all Iron Hill Breweries & Restaurants, these tanks and this equipment enables us to bring our craft beer directly from the tanks to the tables,” Edelson said in a recent news release. “We will have seven signature beers always available and be able to brew an additional 9 seasonals that rotate throughout the year, including IPAs, Belgians, German lagers, and American styles.”
Iron Hill’s food menu highlights include signature appetizers and shared plates such as fried green tomatoes, fried Rhode Island calamari, Mexican street corn dip and Philly cheesesteak egg rolls; salads such as grilled salmon, grilled shrimp Cobb, Thai chicken and sesame tuna; and entrees such as beer-battered fish and chips, pan-seared sea scallops, short rib stroganoff and jumbo shrimp and cheesy grits.
"Our food and beer menus are designed to complement one another, and some of our dishes are even made using beer as an ingredient," a message on the business' website reads. "We're excited to suggest the perfect beer pairing to enhance the flavors of your meal."
