Along with Philadelphia council members Bill Green and Cindy Bass, a good section of the city’s beer cognoscenti was present for the January 4 grand opening, including Don Russel (a.k.a. Joe Sixpack), Lew Bryson, Mike “Scoats” Scotese and many more. Iron Hill founders Kevin Finn, Kevin Davies and Mark Edelson were all in the house, leading their numerous staff in a welcome cheer to kick off the new restaurant.

The large brewpub features 250 seats spread among a long bar, comfortable booths, attractive high-tops and larger tables, all surrounding the on-site beer-making machinery, visible through large, plate-glass windows that separate the brewery from the dining room. Each Iron Hill locale has its own head brewer, and in Chestnut Hill brewmaster Paul Rutherford will lead the mashing and fermenting that produces six regular house beers and an assortment of seasonal specialties that change throughout the year.

Chef Mario Romero will oversee the food, which sprawls over a multiple-page menu and has something for everyone. Standard bar apps are supplemented by interesting options like Thai popcorn chicken, fish soft tacos, cheesesteak eggrolls and healthy choices like big salads, lettuce wraps and more. A variety of pizzas see creative toppings on house-made white or malt-based dough, and entrees run the gamut from sandwiches and burgers to full-on steaks and more.

In an interesting twist, happy hour takes place only at the end of the week. On Thursdays and Fridays from 5–7 PM, head to the bar to enjoy $3 house drafts and $4 house seasonal beers, wines and specialty cocktails. Regular hours are 11 AM–close, every day.