West Reading Avenues Fall 2017 - 31

That is good news for Chatty Monk's head brewer, Cliff Plank,
who joined the business about a year ago after stopping in for a
flight one night while passing through town and casually inquiring
whether the brewpub might have a job for him.
"I left there thinking I would never hear from anyone," Plank
said. "But, it turned out the brewer was getting ready to leave, and
they were looking for somebody. After five interviews, they hired
me. It was just being at the right place at the right time."
A self-taught, prior home-brewer, Plank brought with him about
40 recipes of his own, and adapted 15 to 20 of the recipes already
in place. Different varieties of beer are offered on a rotating basis.
"We offer between 60 and 70 kinds of beer," said Plank, who
worked in an architecture firm in Harrisburg and as a marketing
representative for Guinness. "If we brew a batch of beer, that's
six kegs. We're always rotating our beer."
While the basement brewing operation is a three-barrel system,
the new production facility will be a seven-barrel system, and
eventually expanded to a 15-barrel system."When we finish our
expansion we'll be a 15-barrel brew house," noted Plank. "That's
five times our current capacity."
In addition to producing more sour beer, stouts and barrel-aged
beers to be served in West Reading, the production facility, expected to be opened this fall, will enable Chatty Monks to begin

independently distributing its beer.
"Traditionally, you'd sign on with a big distributor and they would
distribute it for you," Reedy explained. "But, we're going to do it
independently. That gives us more say about where our beer goes,
and it tends to be more advantageous, both from a branding aspect
and a financial aspect."
While Plank is brewing beer in the 18th Ward, operations will
continue as usual in West Reading. Chef Shannon Kantwanna
will continue to plan and offer a seasonal menu, with three new
specials every week or two.
Live music is still on tap for Tuesday nights, and a magician will
remain on board for Sunday brunches.
"At first we were a little cautious and wanted to start out slowly,
but we've really hit our stride here," Reedy said. "We're looking
at expanding our hours because we're always busy."
It is a goal of the company to open two additional locations,
probably in Central Pennsylvania, within the next several years.
West Reading, however, will remain Chatty Monk's flagship location.
"This 600 block is a vibrant block and we just don't want to
leave," Reedy said. "People have suggested other, larger locations
for us, but we like this 100-seat brew pub atmosphere. It works
for us, and West Reading works for us."

Fall at the
Miller Center
Arts for the 21st Century
Fall 2017-2018
Present this coupon and RECEIVE A SECOND TICKET FOR 50% OFF any of the performances listed in this ad!
Limit one coupon per order and must be presented in person at time of order. May not be exchanged for cash.

/Downtown Performing Arts Series / OnIndependent
Screen/In Person
Film Series
Ranky Tanky (Gullah/jazz/funk)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 7:30PM

Maz Jobrani, Author & Comedian
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 7:30PM
Jessica Lang Dance
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 7:30PM
ADA/AVA, Manual Cinema
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 7:30PM
Dom Flemons (Old-time folk musician)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 7:30PM

DEEJ
Robert Rooy, filmmaker
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 6:30PM
Oil & Water, Francine Strickwerda
& Laurel Spellman Smith, filmmakers
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 6:30PM
Mind/Game: The Unquiet Journey
of Chamique Holdsclaw
Richard Goldsmith, filmmaker
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 6:30PM

For tickets and information contact the Miller Center Box Office
at 610.607.6270 or visit millercenter.racc.edu.

lovewestreading.org

http://millercenter.racc.edu http://www.lovewestreading.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of West Reading Avenues Fall 2017