Nine, is just one more than eight, but for the Phoenix Brewing Company the difference between those two numbers is much more than just 365 days. It is the culmination of the last nine years into one fantastic journey.
One of their favorite parts of the journey has been the craft beer community.
“We didn’t really know what to expect when we opened. We were hopeful people would fall in love with craft beer as much as we had. It has grown into a larger community that has really embraced craft beer. I still get goosebumps.” Co-owner and head brewer Duncan Macfarlane commented.
“It is difficult to quantify community. How do you do that? It is easy to see growth in numbers addressing barrelage and production. But we have seen relationships begin, marriages, 5Ks, golf outings, trivia, bingo, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, dog adoption, book clubs, new friendships, philanthropy, collaborations, goals met, 5ks, and so much more. The craft beer community has grown. We get to be a part of it every day. What could be better than that.”
In 2014 the Phoenix brewed on a 5 bbl (150 gallons) system. That quickly expanded to include a 2nd 20-barrel (600 gallons) brewhouse. 10 barrels of fermentation tank space went from 10 barrels to 150 barrels and purchasing a 25,000 sq. foot warehouse. Delivering kegs from personal vehicles expanded to 2 delivery vans, and draft only transitioned to include bomber bottles and then 16 oz cans and owning their own canning line.
The staff has grown from 5 to 22, with 7 of those positions being full-time. Originally the positions were just brewer and bartenders. Now they include sales, distribution, brewers, cellarman, creative and marketing, safety, accounting, IT, bartenders, and bourbon stewards. Many work in dual positions, and many also serve on community organizations, community boards and committees, and with the Ohio Craft Brewers Association, and the Brewers Association.
The taproom only space expanded to include a patio, and then a second patio, or seasonal beer garden. And in 2023 the long-awaited renovation of the unused space into the Spirit Room at the Phoenix. The upstairs renovation into the Spirit Room at the Phoenix allows them to offer something different to patrons, but it also is a great space for private rental.
The beer portfolio started with only 4 offerings. The portfolio adjusts every year, but there are typically over 70 offerings throughout the year including collaborations with other breweries and non-profit organizations.
Since their beginnings, the Phoenix has tried to support and raise awareness for a variety of causes with local non-profit charities and non-profit national charities and organizations in the brewing industry through sponsorships, donations, special beer releases, fundraising events, apparel sales. In May of 2021, the Phoenix transitioned to a non-tipping establishment, in order for staff to secure a more fair and even wage with COVID disruptions. Employee hourly wages were raised, and staff were able to also cross-train in different areas of the brewery. Any cash left behind is donated to a designated charity each month.
The Phoenix Brewing Company, in Mansfield, Ohio is celebrating its ninth anniversary this week with events all week. Macfarlane said, “We aren’t just celebrating ourselves; we are celebrating our whole community. This journey really has just been fantastic. We even named a beer for it.”
ANNIVERSARY WEEK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Tuesday, April 25th at 3 PM,
The DISCO BANANA BLOND ALE will RELEASE on Tuesday, APRIL 25 at 3 pm
The Disco Banana will release on draft at 3 pm with cans available later in the week Carapils, honey malt, 2-row, and just a hint of hops combine to create a delicious blond ale, infused with banana and chocolate. The Disco Banana is pale golden hue with a light malt sweetness. A fun flavor profile, and a low hop bitterness, the Disco Banana is delicious any time of year but available just in time for the 9th anniversary.
Tuesday, April 25 is BINGO night at the Phoenix, with prizes, great beers, and fun. Best of all it is FREE to play! The evening will consist of 5 total rounds of Bingo. Jason McManes is the BINGO MASTER for the evening.
Wednesday, April 26th, the Flight Club: Run/walk/Jog will meet at 5:30 pm in the Beer Garden for their weekly run starting at 6 pm. Chad Vanderpool will be leading the group on their weekly 5k and fun!
The celebration continues Thursday, April 27 with a Brewhouse Disco with DJ B-Rad emceeing. The production brewery opens to the public at 6:30 pm with limited seating, plenty of space to move and groove, a tented outdoor area, and of course, a disco ball. The Disco Banana might even make an appearance. Disco attire appreciated, but not required.
FRIDAY, APRIL 28: Live Music from Jeff Ritz and Friends at 7:30 pm.
FRIDAY, APRIL 28: FERRYMAN FRENZY
The Ferryman is taking over the taps in the Spirit Room on Friday, April 28th. Cross over to the Craft Beer dark side with the Ferryman. Brewed with chocolate and roasted malts, flaked oats, and lactose, this creamy and rich milk stout is easily drinkable and sure to become a favorite no matter which variant you try.
The Ferryman Oatmeal Milk Stout, 2020 Silver medal winner Ohio Craft Brewers Cup, and one of the original Phoenix Flagships starting in 2014 has a bold ABV of 7.2% and mild bitterness with 30 IBUs.
The Spirit Room at the Phoenix will have 4 exclusive Ferryman variants available for in-house consumption only including:
· Ferryman with Maple & Bacon
· Ferryman with Mint & Chocolate
· Ferryman with Coconut & Chocolate
· Coffee Ferryman with Baba Budan from Relax Coffee House in Mansfield
The Phoenix Taproom will offer for in-house and limited crowlers to go:
· Orange Chocolate Ferryman
· Buckeye Ferryman
· and the original Award-Winning Ferryman Oatmeal Milk Stout, also available in 4 packs to go
SATURDAY, APRIL 29: The Big Bash in the Beer Garden, Noon until 11 pm:
Doors open at noon. Over 30 beers will be available, with 16 taps inside and 16 taps out in the Beer Garden including 2 specialty cask ales, and limited can offerings. Included in the 30 plus beers are flagship beers, seasonal favorites, limited editions, and one-off infusions. Some of the beer garden exclusives and specialty beers will also be available for take-home, while they last.
NOON: The FANTASTIC VOYAGE HAZY IPA will RELEASE APRIL 29 at NOON in can and Draft. The Fantastic Voyage is a Hazy IPA infused with passionfruit for sweet and twangy citrus notes. It is medium-bodied and brewed with Belma, Barbe Rouge, Idaho Gem, and Cryo Pop hops for citrus and berry aromas and flavors. This batch is brewed with a special terpene blend to maximize their dankness and a little bit of lactose for a creamy mouthfeel. Terpenes are the compounds in hops that give the plant its aroma and flavor
3:30 pm: CAKE CUTTING Cake from the Sugar and Magic Cake Company, Mansfield, Ohio. The Sugar and Magic Cake company creates cakes that are too fantastic to cut, but too delicious not to. The cakes are edible art.
LIVE MUSIC:
12:30 pm to 3:30 pm: Avenue Blue featuring Sarah Blubaugh.
4 pm to 7 pm: The McIan’s Duo, Central Ohio’s best Celtic duet featuring a mix of traditional and modern Celtic music.
7:30 pm to 10:30 pm: Tom’s Kitchen Table.
FOOD TRUCKS: Noon to 7 pm:
Along with live entertainment, local Mansfield food truck favorites, Cell Block Café and The Fry Guys, will be on hand serving their delicious fare starting at noon and Two Cousins Pizza will also be available from the in-house pizza warmer or for delivery directly to your table when ordered through them.
For more information about the celebration week please visit: phoenixbrewing.com/nin
For more information about designated philanthropies, please visit phoenixbrewing.com/phil