USA, PA: Two Rivers Brewing to shutter for good on August 17

Rising costs and competition are driving a longtime Easton gastro-brewpub to soon close its doors, its owner was quoted as saying by lehighvalley.com reported on August 6.

Two Rivers Brewing, 542 Northampton St., plans to shutter for good on Aug. 17, owner Troy Reynard posted on the business’ Facebook page Tuesday evening.

The brewpub opened in Easton at the former Mt. Vernon Ale House space in December 2012 and at the Trolley Barn Public Market in Quakertown in 2020.

Reynard of Forks Township told lehighvalleylive.com the Quakertown site will remain open but under new management, effective Sept. 1. The same staff will remain, along with the same menu and beverage options, he said.

Reynard said several factors contributed in his decision to close the city establishment. Aside from rising costs and competition, Two Rivers also faced a change in drinking habits and parking issues related to nearby construction.

Reynard now plans to semi-retire and get back to “private life,” he said. The building currently is on the sales blocks with no buyer.

“We are proud of the memories made and friendships formed over the years,” Reynard stated in the Facebook posting.

By Wednesday morning, the post had generated more than 1,000 reactions, 200 comments and 115 shares. Regulars recalled the house-made craft beer and farm-to-table menu options, including the peanut butter bacon cheddar burgers and duck fat fries.

Others reminisced over the live music, trivia nights and having the brewpub as the scene of weddings, birthdays and other milestone events.

Two Rivers Brewing‘s menu included entrees as shrimp and grits nestled alongside poutine or the short rib mac and cheese. It delivered 14 taps, which often were a mix of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania brews.

In March, the pub announced it would be offering dining al fresco with its new beer garden.

Reynard paid homage to the Mount Vernon Ale House, a red brick building familiar to the Downtown Easton scene, in the farewell posting.

The brewpub kept many of the hotel’s historic features intact during renovations and left the main level unscathed, Reynard said. Some original details that remain include the historic bar, terrazzo flooring and tin ceiling.

Modern touches brought in included a comfortable mix of bar seating for after-work crowds and tables for families to get cozy in.

The original building, the Mount Vernon Hotel, went up in the early 1800s, according to the restaurant’s website.

Reynard called the site one of the most “architecturally interesting buildings in Easton” and said he was grateful to preserve it for the future.

Reynard went on to thank his dedicated staff and praise patrons for their loyalty. He credited the brewpub in its growing list of achievements over the years, including the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Fest, Pennsylvania Farm Show and Allentown Fair, and Best of the Valley awards.

“Thank you for all your support!,” he said.