What do you get when two fathers meet at their kindergarten’s school bus stop and discover a shared passion for breweries? A business.

Joe Elias and Christopher Pohorence got the idea to open a brewery in the old Chestnuthill Firehouse.

Pohorence had visited more than 200 breweries throughout the country, speaking to owners about the experience. He passed by the former Firehouse and told Elias about his desire to own a brewery.

“We both had the passion, and it was serendipitous that we found the perfect location and started talking about business plans at the bus stop,” Pohorence said.

Both men also have made beer and wine for friends and family for decades.

A firehouse brewery

The new brewery is named Brix, which is also a unit of measurement for sugar content. But also both men are from Saylorsburg, which in 1894 was the country’s biggest supplier of brick. And apropos of the name, the former firehouse is a brick building.

In the new brewery, 7,000 square feet will be the operating space in the 12,000-square-foot building with it’s five glass garage doors where patrons can see the brew house and the stainless steel tanks.

On the menu at first will be light bites, such as pretzels and hot dogs. Patrons will also be able to bring in their own food.

“Bring your favorite food from the community in and have a beer with it,” Pohorence said.

Food trucks are planned for the future.

There will also be a 1,400-square-foot game room with the original firehouse shuffleboard table. A private room with a stage for music is in the plans.

A new mural is being painted on the 40-foot-by-7-foot retaining wall with the brewery’s name and ingredients, such as barley and hops. The hand-painted mural is 75% complete and is being done by Larry Meng. Their slogan “Cheers to you” will be on the mural as well.

Pohorence said a “high level of giving back to the community, as we made it a point to involve the community with local landscapers, muralists etc.”

He explained that they are a “small batch firehouse-born brewery, built on craft character and community.”

Elias said, “Before we met, we had similar homemade brewing experience and loved to share with people. It gives a connection to people. The firehouse ties us back to the community.”

They noted many community members have posted memories of events, such as weddings, at the former firehouse on the Brix Facebook page.

Preparations

The lease for the building from the West End Fire Company began in July.

Chestnuthill Township manager Dave Albright said, “They are working through the building permitting and inspection process.”

The plan is to open Brix in the fall with 16 taps. They are still defining names for the beers, as they must go through the approval process with the PLCB.

Outdoor seating will also be available.

Brix is located at 128 Route 715 in Brodheadsville.