DELAWARE - Delaware's craft beer enthusiasts have reason to raise a glass as Iron Hill Brewery prepares to reopen its Wilmington location. The announcement comes less than a year after the company declared bankruptcy, resulting in the sudden closure of all its restaurants nationwide.
Following years of rapid expansion that eventually became difficult
to manage, a new investor group has stepped in to save the iconic brewpub chain. The new ownership includes Iron Hill co-founder Mark Edelson, who helped secure the trademark and a handful of leases after the company's remaining assets were sold off in bankruptcy court. In total, the group successfully bought back five locations.
Reviving a Delaware Staple
While four of the saved locations are in neighboring Pennsylvania, the brand—which originally launched its very first brewpub in Newark, Delaware, in 1996—made sure to keep a foothold in its home state. The Wilmington restaurant is slated to reopen its doors this summer, bringing back the rich stouts and elevated pub fare that made the chain a regional staple for nearly three decades.
The new ownership group has promised a renewed focus on the core elements that made Iron Hill successful in the beginning: scratch-made food, great beer, and excellent service. They are even brewing a commemorative beer named "Unfinished Business" to mark the occasion. For Wilmington residents who thought they had ordered their last Iron Hill pint, this summer will offer a welcome second round.
