Valley Forge Brewing Co appears closed

[cdh]

Was recently over at the Trader Joes in the Gateway shopping center and noticed that the Valley Forge Brewing Co that had occupied a corner in the strip mall appears to have gone out of business. I never got around to stopping in there to sample their wares... did I miss out on anything special?

I don't know why it's so, but the idea of a bar or even a brewpub in a strip mall just always put me off. I never managed to set aside the assumption of mediocrity that I habitually slap on strip mall businesses and actually go and check the place out. I know that there are exceptions... was this one of them?

I wonder how much of a hurdle strip mall locations are for good food businesses.

[Lisa1349]

The beers were hit and miss. They did have a great peach ale while in season. The food was usually a miss. The decor was log cabin-ish with a minimal bar.

They closed almost a year ago and nothing has filled the space yet. They got by with mediocrity because of the office parks nearby. The main downfall was Outback Steakhouse opening in the same stripmall.

Many of the beers had little finish, complexity or carbonation.

There is a decent Indian Restaurant in that same stip mall, whose name escapes me.

[cdh]

Glad I didn't miss much. I figured that I'd have heard about it from the beer cogniscenti if it was a landmark.

Now I still have to get down to Phoenixville or Royersford and visit Sly Fox, which I've heard great things about from those in the know...

Edited December 9, 2005 by cdh (log)

[philadining]

I have a psychological block about Sly Fox for exactly the reasons you mentioned above: it's in a nondescript little plaza-ish development on rt. 113, that's just too easy to ignore. I drive by it every day, but it just never feels like a place I need to go. I know they have terrific beer, but the location is just not enticing for some weird reason. I really can't explain it.

Edited December 10, 2005 by philadining (log)

[KatieLoeb]

I have a psychological block about Sly Fox for exactly the reasons you mentioned above: it's in a nondescript little plaza-ish development on rt. 113, that's just too easy to ignore. I drive by it every day, but it just never feels like a place I need to go. I know they have terrific beer, but the location is just not enticing for some weird reason.  I really can't explain it.

←

You're missing some spectactular suds, my friend. Really.

You need to get over whatever the mental block is. The Royal Weisse is outrageous. And the O'Reilly's Stout is amazing. And I normally don't even like dark beer.

[Rich Pawlak]

I have a psychological block about Sly Fox for exactly the reasons you mentioned above: it's in a nondescript little plaza-ish development on rt. 113, that's just too easy to ignore. I drive by it every day, but it just never feels like a place I need to go. I know they have terrific beer, but the location is just not enticing for some weird reason.  I really can't explain it.

←

Brian O'Reilly is arguably the finest craft brewer in the region. I swear the guy doesnt know how to make a bad beer , and most of his brews are extraordinary. His varietal IPAs are legendary. Nondescript or not, you're missing an exceptional beer experience every day you pass the place.

[handmc]

If you don't like the 113 location stop by the Sly Fox in Royersford off of 202. Same great beer and food. More parking.