MILLVALE, Pa. —Burghers Brewing Co. is having a soft opening in Millvale on Monday, but the owners are concerned about the impact of potential new tariffs on their business.Located in a former bank on Grant Avenue, Burghers aims to offer a fast-paced, brewery-style experience."It's going to be mostly brewery style. You come up, you order your food, get your beer, and then we'll have a food runner bringing out your food," says Fiori Moletz, president and founder of Burghers Brewing Co. &qu...
MILLVALE, Pa. —
Burghers Brewing Co. is having a soft opening in Millvale on Monday, but the owners are concerned about the impact of potential new tariffs on their business.
Located in a former bank on Grant Avenue, Burghers aims to offer a fast-paced, brewery-style experience.
"It's going to be mostly brewery style. You come up, you order your food, get your beer, and then we'll have a food runner bringing out your food," says Fiori Moletz, president and founder of Burghers Brewing Co. "It's going to be very fast-paced, we believe. I think it's going to create a lot of hype. There's going to be a lot of people here. Everybody wants to probably sit in the vault."
Moletz is preparing for the possibility of increased operating costs due to President Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
"The continuing cost for operating for aluminum. We go through quite a few cans a month, and we are going to see those go up. Canada has a gigantic fertile plain where a lot of barley malt comes from, and then everything coming from Europe," says Neil Glausier, co-owner and brewmaster.
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The brewery is described as a "stainless steel cathedral," with all new equipment already purchased.
Despite having the necessary tanks, Moletz and Glausier are still worried about future costs associated with the tariffs.
"Which means more kegs, more cans to different locations. We were really looking for that distribution model to help pay back some of the debts that we've occurred building this space, so yeah, it's going to cut into that a little bit," Moletz said.
While they have other businesses for storage, they say a new brewery opening with one location wouldn't have the option to buy aluminum cans in bulk before the tariffs possibly happen.
"I know that we have pallets of cans sitting at the other location, waiting to hopefully have beer in them soon, but there's really nothing we can do. Hopefully, the prices don't have to go up too much," Moletz said.
The new tariffs could take effect March 12.