Schaylor Brewing Company, a microbrewery and pub based out of Shillington, is set to open another location in the former home of Red-Headed League Public House on the third floor of the historic Lebanon Farmers Market building at 33 S 8th St, according to co-owner Lucan Schmidt.
Schmidt, along with longtime friend and head brewer Josh Taylor, didn’t intend to open a second outpost any time soon, as the pair is currently focused on expanding their Shillington operation from a four-barrel to a 10-barrel brewing system.
“But,” says Schmidt, “this opportunity kind of landed in our lap, where it didn’t really need much to get it running because it was essentially turn-key and no renovations required. So, because of that and it just being easy to get going…we were able to get to a second location sooner than anticipated.”
Similarly, the historical significance of the building made it a uniquely desirable option.
“When we first came into that Farmers Market we were like, wow, this is just such a cool place with a neat atmosphere and cool people,” says Schmidt. “The building itself is just awesome and has great history, so it would just be awesome to be able to be a part of that, and to be able to sustain it long term.”
At the moment, Schmidt and Taylor are navigating the local system to get inspectors out and permitting in order, thus there’s no definitive date for opening.
However, when it does open, the space will feature Schaylor’s beers on tap, with liquors from Hershey’s Hidden Still Spirits and Folino Estate Winery in Kutztown rounding out the drink menu. Meanwhile, the food offerings will include classic comfort pub grub such as hot hoagies, “schmash” burgers, and chicken sandwiches, as well as the flatbread pizzas, popcorn, and chicken wings that guests would recognize from the Shillington outpost.
Don’t get too hung up on the food though. As Schmidt takes care to note, “We want people to come and rate us on our beer, not rate us as a restaurant – so we’re a brewery that serves food, not a restaurant that makes beer.”
