Vault Brewing Company Redefines 'Gastropub'

Set in the unassuming suburban Philadelphia town of Yardley, Pa., the new Vault Brewing Company is a destination spot that is well worth the short 30-minute trip north of the city. Yardley is a fairly quiet yet charming area with a few family-owned restaurants, but the arrival of Vault Brewing Company, a gastropub, is the type of establishment this town has never before seen.

The young brewpub already has a following; it was on the popular a crowd project-funding site Kickstarter where it received more than $20,000 or its $30,000 goal after owners James and John Cain fell short with funds. The response they received from project backers helped make it possible for the Cain brothers to not only establish Vault Brewing Company but also bring it to a superior level in terms of both atmosphere and culinary quality.

The gastropub-meets-jazz-lounge doesn't have an extensive food menu, but what they do offer –small gourmet pizzas and simple tapas – is made particularly well with the freshest local ingredients. All beer is brewed on-site, poured directly from the serving tanks behind the bar for a true grain-to-glass experience, and what's on tap changes daily. From a smooth Belgian Blonde to an IPA to an even heavier Coffee Stout, you'll find an ale for every sort of beer lover.

Vault also places a strong focus on a diner's overall experience. Silverware and televisons – staples of most brewpubs – are replaced by finger foods and live or recorded jazz music, creating a cozy, friendly environment where diners don't feel rushed in the least. All these factors allow visitors to truly appreciate the food, drink and company. It's the sort of place you'll go to for a post-work brew and end up staying well into the night for fresh pizza, live music, and a few more beers.

Cameron Simcik is the Philadelphia Travel City Editor.