Matt Ritz, the founder of Hawk Mountain Brewery, began his brewing journey as a home brewer in Mendoza, Argentina. Inspired by a hike in the Andes and a visit to a microbrewery, Ritz and his friend Jeronimo started Holmes Brewery in Mendoza. After establishing Holmes Brewery, Ritz set out to open a brewery near his home. He co-founded Hawk Mountain Brewery in New Tripoli, and then purchased land in Whitehall, where they built it. The brewery, situated on two acres, features a tasting room with a deck and easy access to the Ironton Rail Trail. With a wide variety of beers to choose from, Hawk Mountain Brewery is well known for its popular hazy IPA "Shut Up Bird." Ritz places a strong emphasis on quality by "ensuring that temperatures and pH levels are appropriate while matching the water profile to the beer style." Along with fresh, regional cuisine, the brewery's kitchen serves up dishes like handmade pierogi and spicy roast beef. "As ardent supporters of community giving, we intend to allocate one percent of our earnings—one percent for the birds—to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary," says Ritz. Ritz is also one of the co-founders of Bike4Beds, a nonprofit that plans cycling events to support developing nation communities.
3530 Lehigh St., Whitehall | hawkmountainbrewery.com
Published as “Trending Now” in the October 2024 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
