Crowd fills Red Hills Brewing Company for opening night
Joe and Kate Pilleteri both said they were a little shocked by the number of people who came to get a drink at Red Hills Brewing Company's opening night. People filled the brewery's booths, community tables and barstools trying out the four beers on tap Saturday night.
Joe Pilleteri said the grand opening was preceded by a "soft opening that wasn't so soft" for family and friends on Friday, Sept. 9. The business was a project over a year in the making.
"It's unreal that it's actually happening," Joe Pilleteri said. "I could never have imagined this."
Kate Pilleteri agreed that her favorite part so far has been the "rush of seeing that people are actually interested in it."
Red Hills Brewing Company's decor includes salvaged metal and wood, such as the booths made from wire spools, along with a kids' area featuring air hockey, foosball and cornhole. Joe Pilleteri said he hopes the wall near the entrance will become a sticker wall, with visiting patrons adding their own contributions. The long beer hall tables that make up most of the seating are meant to encourage people to make conversation with strangers.
"We want it to be a very interactive space," Kate Pilleteri said.
The focal point, however, is the large mural behind the bar, painted by artist Missy Miles. While it includes the salamander from the Red Hills logo and different stages of the brewery process, the Pilleteris pointed out that there are "Easter eggs" in the mural. Kate Pilleteri estimated that there are over 20 in total. Some have personal significance, like ballet shoes and a cupcake for her daughters and the football jersey number of Joe Pilleteri's father. Others were just added for fun.
Red Hills is currently serving four beers, chosen by Joe Pilleteri and brewmaster Eric Baumann. Three will be served year-round: the Tribute Session IPA, A Pound A Brown mild and the Homewood Hefe hefeweizen. The fourth, Gangsta Rap Friday West Coast IPA, is a seasonal brew originally intended for spring. Joe Pilleteri said that beer will change every quarter to reflect the season.
"Everything's been done in beer, so we're trying to go back to the basics of beer," Joe Pilleteri said.
Red Hills will be open Monday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., from 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday, from noon to midnight on Saturday and from noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information, visit facebook.com/redhillsbrewing.