Novosel Expects Home Run with ‘Brew 32’

October 30, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

By Jim Cyphert

PULASKI, PA.

What’s in a name?

When it comes to the moniker of newly opened Brew 32 Craft Brewery, only those extremely close to owner/operator Walt Novosel are in the know.

“That’s classified information,” Novosel said. “We’re keeping the origins of the name a secret. People have been asking, but we aren’t telling.”

What is known is that Brew 32 has a baseball/sports theme. The brewery, at 1474 Route 208 in Pulaski, displays numerous sports items as well as memorabilia from the Novosel family and its former bars and restaurants.

Novosel’s grandfather, Walt, operated Walt’s Inn and his uncle, Bill, operated Billy’s Black ‘n’ Gold Restaurant and Bar, both formerly in Sharon.

Brew 32 is a natural progression for its parent company Nova Destinations, owned by Novosel and his wife, Katie. The Novosels opened Nova Cellars in the detached garage of their home in Pulaski in 2013. Later that year, Knockin’ Noggin Winery and Cidery was opened in Volant, Pa.

In 2015, Liquid Fusions, an olive oil and balsamic vinegar shop in Volant, was opened. Earlier this year, Nova Wineries opened in the Premium Outlets in Grove City, Pa. Nova Cellars also supplies a winery and a cidery in Indiana.

In August, the new Nova Cellars opened on the first floor of the concession stand of the former Spring Water Acres. On Oct. 14, Brew 32 opened on the second floor of that building. A distillery soon will on the new property.

One corner of Brew 32 features murals of Pittsburgh Pirate greats Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski painted by Novosel’s aunt, Carol. Baseball spikes, bats and gloves also are on display, and the menu board reads like an old-fashioned ballpark scoreboard.

Even the unique scorecards that patrons fill out when ordering a flight of craft beer play into the brewery’s theme.

“We believe the overall experience is the No. 1 factor that will bring people back,” Novosel said. “Sports have always played a big part in our lives. So giving Brew 32 a sports theme was natural.”

Novosel, a West Middlesex native, played baseball for four years at Ohio University in Athens. He was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks and played a few years for the organization. He also played a few years of semi-pro baseball. His wife, Katie, a physician, played softball at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa.

Brew 32 works hard not to brew and serve just any old ordinary craft beer.

“Our product development process is unique,” Novosel said. “We give our head brewer, Jeremiah Jamron, creative liberties to experiment. The family and staff provide input as well. And, we value the feedback and ideas we get from our customers.”

That is evident, as Brew 32 soon will expand its number of taps to 15 and increase its brewing capacity by nearly 85 percent. Beers in the works are a Cinnabon-inspired brew and a higher-hop IPA.

Beers are brewed at a warehouse near the brewery, but by this time next year, Novosel expects all beers to be brewed on-site. Future plans call for canning or otherwise packaging Brew 32 craft beers for distribution.

For now, the brewery serves its beer on-site in flights, pints and growlers. And the “Mug Club” enables patrons to purchase a mug that stays on site on a wall of fame. When the patron returns, the personal mug is pulled from the wall and filled for consumption.

“We’re building a new warehouse on the property, for brewing, wine-making and distilling,” Novosel said. “We’ll also construct an indoor/outdoor wedding pavilion, a large deck, and we have plans to grow our own grains, hops and grapes.”

Brew 32’s menu features appetizers such as flatbreads, antipasto and fruit plates. Later this year, the menu will be expanded to include craft coffees and teas and breakfast items.

Did Novosel wear No. 32 in college or for the Arizona Diamondbacks? Does he plan to brew 32 different styles of craft beer? Is he hoping to one day have 32 beer, wine and cider destinations? Is the name derived from the 32-ounce growlers patrons can purchase, fill and take home?

He might just open up one day at the brewery over a delicious craft beer.

For information go to: brew32craft.com.