Thursday
April 25, 2024 
There aren’t that many taverns where the bartender can point to a barstool and say that Norm from “Cheers” sat there.
But they can and do say that at the Great Barn Taproom in New Hope, which is close to the rooms provided for actors who perform at the nearby Bucks County Playhouse.
Actor George Wendt, who portrayed Norm on the popular sitcom, stopped in while he was performing nearby. Other famous visitors have included actress Sally Struthers and musician Neil Young.
They and other visitors come for the more than a dozen beers on tap or in cans that are made by Great Barn Brewery in Kintnersville. The beers, which include flagship brews but also have varieties that change seasonally, are made using grains grown here in Bucks County.
The beers have colorful names such as Doan’s Lost Gold, a Kolsch-style ale; Where the Delaware Am I, an IPA; Midnight Fox, an oatmeal stout; and George Slept Here, and American rye pale ale.
The flagship brews include Peanut Butter Dunkel, a dark wheat beer, and Hazy, an IPA flavored with oranges.
The brewery in Kintnersville opened two years ago, with the New Hope taproom following shortly after. Founding partners include the Ferguson family, father and son Steve Sr. and Steve Jr., and Steve Jr.’s wife Maryana.
“We created the brewery because we wanted to save the farm from development,” said Maryana Ferguson.
The beers also are used in the new menu being offered at the pub. Brats with sauerkraut are cooked with pale ale, while milk stout is added to pulled pork chili, and beer cheese is used in spinach artichoke dip. Fried pierogies with sour cream and chives have quickly become a customer favorite.
Ferguson said that local chefs have discovered some of the more seasonal beers also are great for cooking. When the brewers made a horseradish beet room beer, it was quickly sought out by chefs who wanted to add it to their stews, she said.
After only two years Great Barn beers are available at dozens of area restaurants and distributors. Partner Chris Thompson attributes the popularity to the quality of the beer made using only homegrown grains and fresh Bucks County well water that comes from a spring.
The taproom is set on the Delaware Canal, downstairs at 12 Mechanic St. It currently has limited winter hours, which will expand when the warm weather returns. In the meantime, monthly events also are held at the Kintnersville farm for new releases, tastings and beer sales.
GREAT BARN TAPROOM
12 Mechanic St., New Hope
215-803-1592
greatbarnbrewery.com
Winter hours:
6-9 p.m. Tue., 5-9 p.m. Thu., 3-11 p.m. Fri., noon-11:30 p.m. Sat., noon-9 p.m. Sun., closed Mon., Wed.
susan.yeske@gmail.com
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