Front Porch Brewing WV license approved

[UPDATE: Prior to opening, Front Porch Brewing changed its name to Abolitionist Ale Works]

Front Porch Brewing Company becomes the 24th West Virginia-company to receive its brewery license. The license was issued this week, however, it will still be a month or more before Front Porch begins pouring beer at its downtown Charles Town brewpub.

“We are very excited to learn that we have been added to the growing list of great breweries in the state,” said Josh Vance, Front Porch owner.

Josh and his brewer-brother Mike have teamed up to put this project together. They become the second brewery license within the city of Charles Town. Mash Brewing Company received its license last December and opened in February. The breweries are about two blocks apart.

West Virginia Day Block Party planned

A soft opening for Front Porch has not yet been scheduled, but could happen sometime before mid June. The brewery’s big coming out day will take place Saturday, June 17.

“It has been a long journey and we still have a bit more work to do to get operational, but we look forward to our West Virginia Day block party on June 17 in Charles Town when we can introduce our unique take on beer to the world.”

That block party should be some kind of treat for Eastern Panhandle beer fans. If I lived out that way, I wouldn’t want to miss it.

Do you want to work at Front Porch?

Josh says they are currently putting together a staff “so if any beer lovers in the state would be interested in joining our team, they can email us at frontporchdrinking@gmail.com.”

The business will need a variety of help in their restaurant, bar, and brewery  operation.

Barrel fermentation underway

Mike Vance is heading the brewing side of the business. He is a former brewer at Morgantown Brewing Company.  When he heard their brewery license had been approved, his enthusiasm was understandably tempered by all the work ahead.

“Our excitement is overflowing,” he stated. “Our immediate plan is to hose down the floor.”

Honestly, Mike is among the more talented brewers in the state and likely will be the only one regularly fermenting beer in wooden barrels. Expect his wild and funky ales to be a big hit. He also plans a full line of traditional brewpub beers, such as IPAs, wheat beers, blondes, and stouts.

Brilliant Stream reviewed some of Mike’s test batch beers last year.

Welcome Front Porch Brewing Company

129 WEST WASHINGTON STREET, CHARLES TOWN, WV.