Chestnut Brew Works makes big move

PROJECT CANCELLED. Brilliant Stream learned that this project was cancelled when Chestnut Brew Works decided not to move to the new location (Winter 2023). We have not yet heard if the building owner is seeking another brewery partner to open its business there.

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When Brilliant Stream interviewed Chestnut Brew Works owner Bill Rittenour back in 2017, we asked him his thoughts on expanding his brewery operations. He answered: “So, I don’t know what the next steps are. I’ve decided, if I do take a next step, it’s going to be a big one.”

His answer proved quite prophetic. This summer, Rittenour announced the big one. His brewery will be moving into a much larger facility, which will hugely expand its beer production space and also give it a beautiful, first-class, riverside taproom and restaurant. Construction is currently underway and the move will hopefully take place before the end of the year. This “next step” is definitely “a big one.”

Hear all the details along with the thought that went into this bold move as we interview Bill Rittenour on this West Virginia Beer Road podcast. Listen to either the audio version or a YouTube video, which includes some photos.

YouTube Video Link

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On the riverside in Westover

The future home of Chestnut Brew Works will be directly across the Monongahela River from downtown Morgantown. Cross the Westover Bridge and take the first right. It sits just down the street a block or so.

Adding key pieces

Rittenour’s bold move was made possible by him joining with Phillip Weser as a brewery business partner. Weser, who heads Morgantown’s March-Westin construction company, provided the experience and confidence needed to undertake such a big move up. March-Westin is well known in northern West Virginia for completing major WVU construction projects, such as the Erickson Alumni Center and the Evansdale Crossing building. It also takes on large private sector projects, things like the Dominion Transmission headquarters building and much work for Mylan Pharmaceuticals, among many other projects. Having Weser as a business partner for the expansion certainly puts Chestnut Brew Works in a great position to grow.

For food service operation planning, Rittenour has been working with Jared Riggleman, who is a respected restaurant consultant and who also operates a Morgantown catering business. By putting these pieces together, Rittenour forges a very able leadership group.

New brewery highlights

Beer production area

• Greatly expanded brewery floor space allowing future growth
• Several new 30-barrel fermentors
• Large cold storage room
• Spacious packaging/canning area
• New grain handling equipment
• Large capacity storage areas for kegs, cans, grain, etc.
• Efficient, flow-through floor plan for beer production

Taproom area

• Full-service restaurant
• Spacious beer hall
• Riverside seating area with large windows
• Outdoor seating area
• Lots of free parking
• 12 taps of Chestnut Brew Works beer
• Beautiful decorative interior features using 160 year-old reclaimed chestnut boards
• Wall murals by Morgantown artist Brian Pickens

Quality team built the base

Rittenour credits his loyal employee team for getting the business to the point that it could make this big move up. He says he is blessed with several very capable, long-term employees who make all the difference. They include taproom manager Amber Huffman, since 2015; brewer Josh Taylor, since 2015; and brewer Jeremy Morris, since 2017.

West Virginia’s craft beer community definitely looks forward to seeing what these folks can do with all the new space and capabilities of the new location.

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Keep up with the new facility’s progress by following Chestnut Brew Works Facebook Page.

Image header at top article by Brian Pickens for Chestnut Brew Works.