Resurrecting Tradition, One Batch at a Time.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Driven by a love for craft beer and a passion for brewing, the Phoenix Brewing Company was founded by local beer enthusiasts looking to bring a craft beer revival to Mansfield. Located near the original pre-prohibition brewery district in the restored former Schroer Funeral and Mortuary Home, the Phoenix took flight in April, 2014. The partners have combined their love of craft beer to create an authentic pub experience filled with quality craft beer and live music. The tap room features 16 taps including six Phoenix flagship beers and rotating seasonal and high gravity beers. They are also host to other Ohio craft brews, Ohio ciders, a selection of fine wines from local winery Cypress Hill and spirits from Ohio distilleries. The taproom beers are brewed with a 5 barrel brewhouse and also on 20 barrel production system using sustainable practices. Food trucks are available seasonally but patrons may also order food items from the local pizzeria or bring in carry out. Live entertainment is booked for weekends and carry out growlers and howlers of Phoenix brews and swag are available.
HISTORY OF THE BUILDING
The brewery is located in the former Schroer Mortuary and Funeral Home at 131 North Diamond Street. Charles Schroer already had a very successful furniture business in Mansfield, Ohio when he opened the Schroer Mortuary and Funeral Home in 1914. It was common then for the furniture or cabinet makers to also build the caskets for a community.The mortuary and funeral home were a natural progression of his business and were in operation until 1932 with the death of Charles Schroer Jr.
The Schroer building had a hand operated elevator to reach all three levels and was the first fireproof building in Mansfield. Today, the former embalming and prep area in the lower level now houses the Phoenix Brewing Company brew equipment and cold storage. The first floor used originally as as the chapel is now a beautifully renovated taproom. The casket elevator has been converted into storage and HVAC equipment.
Eco-Friendly Restoration
Whenever possible, items were recycled and repurposed during the renovation. The original windows were refinished and retained for their beauty and natural light. The tabletops were salvaged from a local bowling alley and donated from an area couple when they learned of the brewery opening. The back bar was housed most recently in the studio of a local artist after hopping through many downtown businesses over the last 85 years. Some of the flight paddles were created from the salvaged wood in the casket elevator deconstruction. Originally, the walls were covered with hand-troweled plaster which was removed by hand to celebrate the original look of the building. At the same time as the Phoenix Brewing Company renovation, the Allstate building in Mansfield was also undergoing a restoration. Lights were salvaged from that building, refurbished and and reinstalled in the Phoenix. Patrons can enjoy their beverages inside or out using the adjoining brick patio with over 5,000 reclaimed Century street pavers salvaged from Cleveland.