Restaurant Spotlight: SHUBREW
There are many reasons we love Zelienople that played a role in our decision to move here. What’s not to love? A small, walkable town with beautiful old homes, shops, restaurants, and only 26 miles north of Pittsburgh, PA. But there are two establishments that played a HUGE role in our history as a couple and love for this town. This week we want to spotlight one of them – ShuBrew. https://www.shubrew.com/
The first time we went in, Shawn and the guy behind the bar, Zachary Shumaker, hit it off right away. I think all Marines have some weird radar to find each other. Of course, everyone who knows Shawn knows what a shy, introverted guy he is. *Cough!* It wasn’t long before we knew the whole crew – Zach, Erika, Patrick, Nate, Isaiah, Deanna, Steve, and Jim (just to name a few). Their original space was small, the menu was limited, and they had their small brewing area set up in the tiny kitchen. But everything they served was good and the people were awesome, which was reason enough to return!
As regulars from the early days its been exciting to watch ShuBrew grow and change. In 2016, they moved the brewing side of the house to Harmony which allowed the food menu to expand at the restaurant. Every regular customer has their favorite menu item. From the ShuNodle bowl with pork belly to the Notorious P.I.G., you can’t go wrong with anything on their eclectic menu that has flavors from around the world. Patrick also comes up with amazing specials, such as the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, which it truly HOT! Sunday brunch has also been added, which includes a delicious Hakuna Frittata, Chorizo Sausage Gravy & Biscuits, and my favorite…the Chicken & Biscuits with Sriracha-Maple Glaze. If you are a Bloody Mary fan, Shawn swears ShuBrew’s house-made recipe is in his top 3 favorite Bloody Mary’s of all time!
In the summer, people from our around the greater Pittsburgh area look forward to new beer releases at the Harmony ShuBrewery. Patrons can bring their families and their dogs to meet friends around the fire, listen to live music, and enjoy a variety of food trucks including one for the dogs! Shawn & I love to bring our dog, Izzie, down!
Zach and Erika Shumaker, along with their business partner Patrick Wyman, are growing the business at thoughtful yet steady pace. In 2019, the Brewers Association named ShuBrew #23 of the 50 fastest growing breweries in the U.S. The marketing of the business has exploded with more than 60 locations in the Pittsburgh area carrying ShuBrew’s beers. https://www.brewersassociation.org/press-releases/fastest-growing-craft-breweries-2018/
ShuBrew was also the first restaurant in Butler County to earn platinum designation from Sustainable Pittsburgh. With the growth in popularity, ShuBrew was outgrowing its tiny storefront. In November 2019, ShuBrew moved across the street from their first location to 205 S. Main St., Zelienople, PA. The new space provided much needed additional seating, a larger kitchen, and a banquet room for private parties and Wednesday night Geeks Who Drink Trivia.
We talked to Zach to find out more behind how ShuBrew came to be. Like most people, we assumed brewing was a garage hobby that turned into a business. But Zach set us straight!
“To be truthful, everybody always assumes that brewing was a hobby that turned into a desire to open a brewery. What actually happened, is that I worked part time for a brewery in San Diego while I was stationed there in the Marine Corps. I was just a prep-cook and dishwasher for them and had nothing to do with the brewing side of their operation. At the time, and probably still, they were considered by many to be one of the best breweries in the world. I became awe struck with their operations, ideology, and culture. It was at this point in my life that I knew I wanted to own a brewery. From there I decided that I’d better learn how to brew.”
Zach credits the decision to open a brewery to his wife and business partner, Erika.
“I talked a lot about having the desire to open a brewery and she was supportive of this from day-one. It was really her who started the whole process. She had a conversation with me one night and basically told me it was time to make a decision as to whether or not we were going to do this. Knowing that I had someone in my corner really got the ball rolling.”
Getting to know the Shumakers and Patrick over the years, you can see the business dynamics in each person. Zach and Patrick have credited Erika with being the grounded money manager. I recall a conversation several years ago, not long after the new brewery location opened, when the guys said that they would’ve wasted the money on huge flat screen televisions at the brewery for gaming if they were left to their own devises. But Erika quickly shot them down and put the money toward more reasonable purchases.
Zach admits that he is a risk taker who makes quick decisions. Erika is his counterbalance, bringing the longer-term picture to the table. Zach describes their differing approaches:
“I’m sure in many ways [risk taking] has bit me in the ass as many times as it has paid off. This is why being on a team with Erika back then was so valuable to ShuBrew’s success. She was and is a lot more calculated than I am. She worries when I don’t. She thinks about five years from now, while I spend a lot more time thinking about five days from now. She gets me to stop and think.”
Zelienople is also growing rapidly with restaurants and breweries moving into the area in close proximity to each other. We were curious about how the growth in town & the microbrew industry has had a positive or negative effect on ShuBrew.
Zach says, “ We got into this knowing that this industry was growing at a rapid pace. The statistics were there to prove that back when we opened in 2013. Competition has never been something that we considered a threat. I’m personally stoked to have other breweries close to us. ShuBrew has gained so much by building relationships with so many of the other talented people who do what we, too, love to do.”
The relationships between the brewers can be seen in the beer collaborations ShuBrew has released over the last few years. One of our favorites is Shoots Like a Girl – a Pink Boots collaboration. Pink Boots Society is for the women of brewing, which Erika is a member of. As the number of women in the brewing industry grows, the Pink Boots Society brings these women together and provides a platform to learn from one another as they become more prominent in the industry.
Craft Beer Spotlight: Pink Boots Society – Western PA Chapter
ShuBrew has also collaborated with Millie’s Ice Cream for the London Fog Ale, a blend of Earl grey tea, vanilla, and milk sugar. The perfect late fall/early winter blend!
We asked Zach if they ever saw themselves in the early days of ShuBrew where they are today?
“I believed that “we could do it” so to speak. I just didn’t fully see the path in which everything would take. This sort of goes back to one of our strengths is being adaptable. We try setting ourselves up to be able to take advantage of good opportunities as they arise. A lot of opportunities have come and gone. Some, we didn’t want; some, we couldn’t get. We learn from all of these experiences and eventually we have the ability to do great things.”
As for their favorite moment on this epic journey?
“Picking a favorite moment is like picking a favorite beer. As my friend Bob McCafferty from North Country always says, “whatever one is next.” Last year it would have been the first Magic Mushroom release. This year could have been a number of things. My proudest moment has to be that we were able to open our new restaurant in less than three months. That says a lot about the amazing people that we get to work with every day. But yeah.. my favorite moment is whatever one is next.”
If you haven’t been to ShuBrew or the ShuBrewery yet, YOU SHOULD! They are more than beer and food. The establishment is a gathering place; a community table where you meet someone new every time you visit. Where politics are set aside over the love of libations and conversations about the happenings in town. Its seasonal changes and celebrations. And for Shawn and I, its part of the place we call home.
'Round Here 
We as Zachary’s Parents are tremendously proud of Zach and Erika and the vision they had owning and operating ShuBrew. As the soul owners they have created a vision and ran with it. In Seven years of marriage, Six years of owning ShuBrew, Becoming parents to Four year old Wolfgang and Two year old Beatrice, these two are to be applauded.
Mama and Papa Shu
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