Breaking news in the craft beer and wine world as one of the area’s newest wineries, The Vineyard at Hershey, has filed an application with the PLCB to relocate its wine operation into its new building and begin brewing local craft beer with new partner, Ryan DeLutis.
Delutis is a long-time homebrewer and was selected by The Vineyard’s partners from nearly 40 people who interviewed last year.
Partners Jason Reimer and Mike Wilson led the brewmaster interviews with a few important criteria in mind:
- An artist who believed in hand-crafting in small quantities.
- A brewer who would want to work with Pennsylvania grains and other agricultural products.
- A person (and family) that would “fit” into their existing team and partnership — someone who shares their values and wants to brew and let the business and marketing people manage and market.
“In other words, another Paul [Vezzetti, the vineyard’s award-winning winemaker],” Reimer said. “We truly had no idea if and when we would find the person. With Ryan and his wonderful wife Jen, we got the perfect match.”
The Vineyard at Hershey will announce “The Brewery at Hershey” on April 12 with a special event from 6-9 p.m. The event will introduce DeLutis and announce his planned flagship and seasonal brews. Guests also will have the opportunity to help name the Flagships, as has been done with The Vineyard’s wines.
Tickets for this limited event are $20 in advance/$25 at the door and include wine tastings, live music from Ryan Jefferies and light dinner food. Tickets will go on sale this week.
Stay tuned to The Vineyard at Hershey’s Twitter and Facebook pages for up-to-the-minute details.
