Two new craft breweries opening in Selinsgrove

Jan. 31—SELINSGROVE — Axemann Tavern will open for business in downtown Selinsgrove Thursday and Hidden Stories Brewing Co. will open in mid-March.

"This is going to make Selinsgrove a craft beer destination site," said Carol Handlan, of Selinsgrove Projects Inc. (SPI).

The borough currently has Selins' Grove Brewing in its downtown and Thursday at 4 p.m., Rod and Dorothea Stahl will open Axemann Tavern at 102 N. Market St.

Jeff Sheaffer and Barry Heim, the building's owners, have renovated the space to expose original brick walls, wooden flooring and rafters and a bar made of repurposed doors. There's indoor seating for about 90 and another 50 seats in the outdoor beer garden space.

"Rod wanted the appearance of an old European tavern," said Jeff Sheaffer.

The tavern will also serve food from Smokehouse Fixx. On Tuesday, the kitchen staff, Holly Weaver, Janet Yerger and Eliot Beaver were getting ready for the grand opening.

"We'll be serving classic bar food," said Beaver.

The Stahls opened a taproom in Bellefonte in early 2020 and wanted to expand the business in Jeff Stahl's hometown of Selinsgrove where "it's becoming a nice downtown for dining and craft brews."

In mid-March, Mark Collins will open Hidden Stories Brewing Co. at 6 University Ave. in the borough, the site of the former Isle of Que Brewing Company.

Collins owns a production brewery in Juniata County and opened a tap room in Sunbury about two years ago, but was interested in expanding.

"We got our start at the Selinsgrove Farmers Market so it seemed like a good fit for us," he said.

The interior is undergoing some remodeling before the opening and Collins said he would like to make use of the existing stage by bringing in local musicians.

"We want to keep that music scene going," he said.

Handlan said she's excited to see two breweries that have been supporters of Selinsgrove and SPI for years.

Axemann Tavern and Hidden Stories will be open Wednesday through Sunday.