Most locals know you can stroll on down to Boxcar Brewing Company in West Chester most any day Monday to Friday and cheerful proprietors Jason Kohser and Jamie Robinson will put you to work. What you might not know is that labor of love often goes to charity.
Riffing on the popular, locally focused CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs, Boxcar takes community service to the next level with its CSB (Community Supported Beer) program. It’s as delicious and fun as it sounds: volunteers help brew, bottle, label and box, and proceeds of one-off batch beers help a local cause.
The West Chester Beer Ladies (WCBL) stopped by Boxcar twice recently to volunteer and make Boxtoberfest to benefit the Rotary Club of West Chester through its well-attended Chili Cook-off on Sunday, Oct. 14th. Not ones to stand on the sidelines, Jason and Jamie will compete in the cook-off by whipping up a chili featuring the limited-time brew. Boxtoberfest also will be featured in the event’s VIP tent.
“It’s simple: we like brewing alcoholic beverages,” Jason replied when asked why he and Jason started Boxcar. “There’s something beautiful in it.”
Inspired by a conversation with WCBL Founder Colleen Bergin Perrin and President Ronna Gross Dewey, the Boxcar brain trust came up with a unique twist on a traditional Oktoberfest and used ale yeast rather than the usual lager yeast. The proof was in the tasting on bottling day; the WCBL faithful were there to sip. And to help this almost-all volunteer operation, of course.
“Boxtoberfest is an easy drinking beer for fall,” Ronna commented. ”There are notes of honey on the nose. It’s malty, with flavors of toast, and is not at all bitter or hoppy.”
Interest in Boxcar is growing. Boxcar brew will also be featured at the King of Prussia Beerfest Royale on Friday, October 5th, and Saturday, October 6th at the King of Prussia Mall in the parking lots adjacent to The Court on West DeKalb Pike.
What’s that song? “From small things mama, big things one day come”? Sounds — and tastes like — big things are in store for Boxcar Brewing Company.
Photographs credited to Nina Lea Photography.
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