As head brewer, business operator, cigar and beer aficionado, podcaster, and mayor of Butler, PA, Ben Smith is a modern-day Renaissance man. He and his father did the brunt of the work to renovate and transform a historic building into the Reclamation Brewing Company, which is the first brewery to operate in Butler County since Prohibition. Today, the Smiths also operate RB Cigar Bar & Speakeasy, which is located just down the street from their brewery. In this episode, Ben talks about how he started brewing beer, why he ran for mayor, and the challenges of operating a bar and restaurant in the middle of a pandemic.
When Ben Smith and his father opened Reclamation Brewing Company in Butler, PA in 2015, it became the first brewery to operate in Butler County since the days of Prohibition. After years of disappointment with the mass-produced, watered-down beers that most bars and restaurants offered, the Smiths decided to once again “reclaim the good name of beer” and open their own establishment. Their mission is to show the public that craft beer doesn’t have to be pretentious or snobby. Instead, they set out to demonstrate that everyday beer can be delicious, enjoyable, and approachable for all who are willing to give it a try. Since they’ve opened their doors, they have elevated beer culture and created a community of fans in Western Pennsylvania and beyond.
In 2018, the Smiths opened a sister business, the RB Cigar Bar & Speakeasy. In that same year, Ben Smith became the mayor of Butler. He was recruited to civic duty by a group of concerned local citizens who admired his personality, leadership style, and business acumen. And if all of that wasn’t enough, he is also involved in producing and hosting two podcasts. In this episode, Ben talks about the roots of his brewing business, what it was like to renovate a building over 100 years old, and why approachability is central to his brand.
If you have any questions or if you’d like to chat, you can reach me at my contact info below. The purpose of this podcast is to share ideas, inspire action, and build a stronger small business community here in Pittsburgh. So please say hello, tell me what you think, and let me know how I’m doing. It means a ton!
YOU CAN REACH ME AT:
Podcast: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com
Website: https://www.thestartupshoppe.net/podcasts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano
Phone: 412-336-8247
YOU CAN REACH BEN SMITH AT:
Website: https://www.reclamationbrewing.com
Website: https://www.rbcigarbar.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reclamationbrewing
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReclamationBrewingCo
Email: Contact@ReclamationBrewing.com
Phone: 724-282-0831