Mount Gretna Brewing Company is delivering craft products with charm in Campbelltown. The brewery sits on Leed’s Corner, just off a heavily traveled route between Hershey and Lebanon. The location was formerly home to a vibrant, bustling general store and gas station in the 1920s that acted as a centerpoint for the community. With the location’s history in mind, Mount Gretna Brewing Company hopes to restore it as a hub for the community — and with more than just beer.
We spoke with Brad Kleinfelter, co-founder and brewer, about his offerings, the mentality behind Mount Gretna Brewing Company and the Red Canoe General Store.
Tell us about the approach to brewing at Mount Gretna Brewing Company.
I tend to be more of a traditionalist when it comes to the beer-making process. While I do like to tinker with newer processes and ingredients such as hop extracts and oils, I’ll always stay true to the method I use to craft my beers. Water, grains, yeast and traditional hops will always be my go-to. What I enjoy most about the science of brewing is water chemistry and how it affects the finished product. The nuances of water and its influence on so many aspects in beer continue to amaze me; it’s an area to constantly learn more about.
What size brew system are you working on, and what is fermentation capacity like?
We have a seven-barrel brew system that, depending on the beer style, can squeeze out eight barrels. We have four seven-barrel fermenters and one 15-barrel fermenter. We also have one 15-barrel bright tank we use mainly for packaging and five seven-barrel bright tanks that we use as serving tanks for our main bar taps.
What type of beers do you brew and why?
Ales predominate, but I’m starting to put more lagers in the brew schedule. I enjoy making beers seasonally, as I like to drink different styles depending on the time of year. I like the challenge of making beers that can’t hide behind an overabundance of hops. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy making and drinking IPAs, but the more interesting and challenging beers to make are the balanced beers, or the beers where you can layer flavors of the grains with a balance of hops. My favorite style to brew is Belgian.
What is the vibe like in your brewpub?
We brought the vibe of Mount Gretna into our brewery and general store. Mount Gretna is a true gem in Lebanon County and a throwback to simpler times, where you relax on your porch with friends and family sharing a drink and local food. We used fallen trees, reclaimed wood, metals and bricks to bring nostalgic Mount Gretna to Leed’s Corner in Campbelltown.
With a living room area and community tables for guests to share, we’ve created an opportunity for friends and family to enjoy reconnecting. We bring a variety of events and classes for both kids and adults, host local music weekly and our Good Neighbor Night Trivia every Thursday raises money for local nonprofits.
Mornings are busy at our general store, coffee bar and gourmet market that offers breakfast, snacks and lunches to go, as well as locally made pantry goods and gifts. Our kitchen sources ingredients locally and food is made to order. We feature a variety of hand-tossed pizzas, seasonal salads and sandwiches. We source beef from neighboring farms for our craft burgers and local trout for our fish and chips. Our rotating menu changes seasonally so there’s always something new and fresh to try. Although we are a brewery and our focus is always on our beer, we do offer local wines and spirits.
Tell us about the The Red Canoe General Store & Coffee Bar and more about the mentality at Mount Gretna Brewery.
Red Canoe General Store is a coffee bar and gourmet market. Our brewery and market are a places to bring local makers together in appreciation of our craft. We partner with many different artisans, such as those making baked goods, nut butters, jams, popcorn, candles, pottery and jewelry. We also partner with Sonder Coffee Company, which roasts single origin beans on-site each week. Roasting and brewing coffee and partnering with food artisans and creatives is the perfect complement to the art of brewing beer and a shared value among our guests who appreciate locally made goods.
How do you hope to preserve the history of Leed’s Corner?
Harry and Annie Leed opened Leed’s Corner in 1924. It was a corner market and gas station that served as a hub of local life and connector between Hershey and Lebanon. Harry Leed dressed as Santa Claus, would host fireworks and overall offered a community gathering place and everyday staples from ice cream to penny candy.
When we learned about the sense of community the Leeds created many decades ago, we knew we could make this a neighborhood gathering place once again — this time, offering more of an at-home setting for friends and family to connect around great local experiences.
What else do we need to know about Mount Gretna Craft Brewery?
We have a passion for the craft of brewing, but we do this in service of our purpose: offering a neighborhood gathering place that celebrates local life. The beer brings us around the table, but what makes us unique is the local experiences, from music and arts to supporting great causes. We’re making moments and lasting memories!
The Brewers of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit trade association that brings together leaders of Pennsylvania-based breweries in order to promote and protect the brewing industry in the state. Established in 2011, the Brewers of Pennsylvania serves the consuming public of Pennsylvania by encouraging brand diversity in the market. We believe in the nobility of brewing and hold dear the great traditions and history of Pennsylvania brewing.
Photos: Mount Gretna Brewing Company
