New Brewpub Set to Open at Exton’s Historic Ship Inn This Fall

With a menu of fresh pizzas and hand-crafted beers on tap, VK Brewing Co. & Eatery is staking its claim on becoming a local favorite.
New Brewpub Set to Open at Exton’s Historic Ship Inn This Fall
Photo: Google Earth

Since November of last year, VK Brewing Co. & Eatery has been teasing its plans on social media, building hype and crowdsourcing funding along the way. Now, with upwards of $80,000 from some 20 investors, the new brewpub is set to welcome the public at Exton’s historic Ship Inn, located at 695 E. Lincoln Highway, in two phases through the end of the year – with the restaurant launching in October or November, and the brewery opening its taps in December. 

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VK Brewing Co. & Eatery is the passion project of two friends, restaurateur Najid Abiaad and US Navy veteran Jason Van Keuren, with Abiaad helming the kitchen and Van Keuren serving as head brewer. 

A representative of VK Brewing Co. & Eatery did not immediately return a request for comment. 

With space for 180 diners spread across four rooms, as well as a deck and a full-service bar, much of The Ship Inn’s historic charm will be preserved, while also making room for newer features such as a pizza oven, and of course, the brewhouse. 

In addition to Abiaad’s pizzas, the menu and space will also feature a raw bar with oysters and classic brewpub fare such as burgers, pastas, and sandwiches. However, it’s doubtlessly the pizzas that will shine as Abiaad’s specialty, and locals might recognize the chef as the owner and operator of Caln Pizza & Pasta, located a short drive down Lincoln Highway. 

Meanwhile, Van Keuren, who began brewing beer in a converted basement while working in IT, will “focus on the classic beer styles and flavors, including IPAs, Lagers, Pale Ales, Brown and Red Ales, Stouts, Porters, Belgians and seasonal varieties,” all of which will be hand-crafted in a 10-barrel brewhouse and poured fresh from 10 taps.

According to the company’s Mainvest page – which enabled the pair to raise an impressive $80,000 and counting – “VK Brewing Co. and Eatery’s journey all started at a neighborhood block party. Two guys from Chester County, Jason and Najib, discussing their passions; one a veteran who loves brewing beer, and the other a chef who loves feeding people. Both share a dream of opening a brewery and restaurant where the community can go to enjoy great beer and equally great food.”

Incidentally, earlier this year VK Brewing was due to open in Glen Mills, however, by August Abiaad and Van Keuren had instead purchased The Ship Inn, explaining in a statement that, “The location in Exton, PA, is the perfect location to make this dream a reality. We fell in love with the history that it holds in our community, along with the location and the potential to make it our own.”

Drew Pittock

Drew Pittock

Drew Pittock is an independent contributor covering various markets across What Now's portfolio. He’s an avid record collector, amateur chef, compulsive estate sale shopper, and “Antiques Roadshow” binge watcher. Originally from Los Angeles, Drew now lives in El Paso, TX with his wife and their two cats.
Drew Pittock

Drew Pittock

Drew Pittock is an independent contributor covering various markets across What Now's portfolio. He’s an avid record collector, amateur chef, compulsive estate sale shopper, and “Antiques Roadshow” binge watcher. Originally from Los Angeles, Drew now lives in El Paso, TX with his wife and their two cats.

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