Catching the Chestnut Beer Hall vibe
April 9, 2024
Morgantown Report by Andrea Fleming
Morgantown’s Pleasant Street just got a whole lot tastier with the opening of Chestnut Beer Hall. Owned by Bill Rittenour, the visionary behind Chestnut Brew Works, the brewery’s new taproom brings a unique blend of history and hops to Pleasant Street’s doorstep.
Stepping into the pub, which you might remember as the former downtown location of Black Bear Burritos, is like stepping back in time. The retro 50s facade sets the tone, while the interior boasts a treasure trove of reclaimed chestnut lumber. Salvaged from historic coal company buildings, houses, and even a church, these chestnut slabs tell stories whispered across generations.
Local artist Brian Pickens adds another layer of character with his stunning freehand murals. Be on the lookout for a genuine chestnut church pew from Sugarland Church in Tucker County— a testament to the enduring beauty of this local wood.
Fill your beer hall dance card
But the show’s real star is, of course, the beer. Chestnut Beer Hall features a constantly rotating selection of Chestnut Brew Works’ finest craft beers.
You’ll want to check out Chestnut’s tasty staples—such as Halleck Pale Ale, South Park Porter, Dad Jokes Pilsner, and Class II Wheatwater Ale—along with its excellent newer entries such as Y’allhalla Juicy IPA, GRanny Witch Gruit, and offerings in the Sex on the Cheat tart-fruited ale series.
Beyond its fresh craft beer, the hall also offers alcohol-reduced (<0.5%) and alcohol-free (0.0%) options.
Enjoy the outdoors
With the spring season approaching, Chestnut Beer Hall is gearing up to take advantage of the city’s new PODA ordinance. This means you can soon enjoy your favorite brews outdoors. Then, with live music happening on Thursdays (and potentially more days), you’ll be taking your Chestnut Brew Works beverages dancing on the sidewalks of Morgantown.
Currently, the Beer Hall opens from 4:00-10:00 pm Wednesday-Thursday, 4:00-11:00 pm Friday, and Noon-11:00 pm Saturdays. Expect the beer hall to extend its hours soon to cater to the growing demand.
Hit the Hall
So, next time you’re craving a delicious craft beer in a setting brimming with local history, head over to Chestnut Beer Hall. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
Chestnut Beer Hall
132 Pleasant Street
Morgantown, WV
On Facebook at Chestnut Brew Works
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One comment on “Catching the Chestnut Beer Hall vibe”
Steven Hamula
April 11, 2024 at 2:07 pmWas able to stop in for a visit at the new location in early March and really enjoyed it! IMO, the old Brockway location vibe is still present, but just on a larger scale. Amber was still behind the bar, and while I was there, Chestnut was rolling out its new Mollee’s Irish Red, which was delicious. I even picked up some cans of Mollee’s for the trip back to Charleston. I don’t get up to Morgantown all that often unfortunately, but believe me, when I do, I will be sure to drop in to the Chestnut Beer Hall. In sum, Chestnut Beer Hall provides a welcoming atmosphere, still serves up some of the best craft beer in WV and is certainly a welcome addition to the downtown area, especially with the recent closure of Morgantown Brewing. So stop by for a visit if you’re in town, you’ll be glad you did!