WILMINGTON, DE — Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant is officially coming home to Delaware. Riding the massive wave of momentum from its highly successful Center City Philadelphia comeback in April, the beloved regional brewpub is set to reopen its iconic Wilmington Riverfront location this Sunday, May 10, just in time for Mother's Day. The reopening restores a major culinary and social anchor to the Riverfront district, bringing award-winning craft beer and elevated scratch-made food back to the community that supported the brand for nearly three decades.
"Delaware is where Iron Hill was born, and Wilmington has always held a special place in our hearts," said Mark Edelson, founder of Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant and strategic advisor to the new ownership team. "We are grateful for the loyalty of our Delaware guests, and we can't wait to welcome them back to the Riverfront."
If you are planning to hit the Riverfront this weekend to celebrate the reopening, here is everything you need to know about Iron Hill's highly anticipated Delaware return.
The Beer and The Bites
To celebrate the kickoff of the waterfront deck season, Iron Hill is debuting a brand-new release: On Deck, a freshly brewed East Coast juicy IPA. Spearheaded by Director of Brewery Operations Matt Gundrum, the on-site brewing program promises to deliver the region's most award-winning, handcrafted ales and lagers directly from the tanks to the taps.
In the kitchen, Regional Chef Walter Weddington III is reviving the scratch-made menu that made Iron Hill a regional powerhouse. Fans can expect the triumphant return of the brewpub's iconic cheesesteak egg rolls alongside a robust menu of elevated New American fare.
A Focus on Community and Culture
This reopening is about much more than just pouring great beer; it is about revitalizing the local hospitality community. The 10,000-square-foot brewpub is bringing 115 jobs back to the Wilmington Riverfront.
Returning General Manager Chris Esslingler is focused on building a culture that resonates both inside and outside the restaurant. "This is not just the return of a restaurant, but the revival of a team, culture, and a standard we are proud to stand behind," Esslingler stated. "Coming back as the original general manager is incredibly meaningful to me. We could not be more excited to be Wilmington's place to celebrate, enjoy family, and create high-quality food and craft beer we proudly stand behind."
Continuing the tradition established during its Center City Philadelphia reopening, Iron Hill is putting community support front and center. On Saturday, May 9, the team will host a special private dinner benefiting Blood Cancer United, an organization dedicated to funding innovative research and delivering comprehensive patient support services for families affected by blood cancers.
What's Next for Iron Hill?
Wilmington is just the second of five major reopenings planned by the veteran leadership team and the passionate new ownership group. Following the successful launches in Philadelphia and Delaware, the team is actively preparing to revive additional Iron Hill locations in Hershey, Huntingdon Valley, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The Details
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Opening Date: Sunday, May 10, 2026 (Mother's Day)
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Mother's Day Hours: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
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Reservations & Info: Visit www.ironhillbrewery.us or call the restaurant directly at 302-397-8284.
