An American Farm Brewery

The brewery guys and Delicious stand proudly in front of the Twin Lakes Brewery.

Twin Lakes Brewing Company is passionate about preserving the art of American brewing. In the true spirit of patriotism, we are inspired to produce only premium American ales and lagers. Our devotion to quality and tradition ensures that we use only the finest ingredients: whole flower hops, the best grains, cultured brewer’s yeast, and most exceptionally, water from the deep rock aquifer located on the Twin Lakes Farm. Our pure water, perfectly balanced and rich in minerals, adds a refreshing smoothness and unique quality to our beer.

A converted art studio and tractor barn houses our 25 barrel, steam-fired, gravity-fed, five vessel brew house and tasting room at the historic Twin Lakes Farm (est. 1826) in Greenville, Delaware. The beauty and rich heritage of the Brandywine Valley move us to be good neighbors in our community by providing fresh, local, delicious beer for the enjoyment of our patrons.

We are not extreme brewers, but we produce extremely drinkable, “all natural” beer. We believe our American farm brewery and its exceptional beer are part of what makes Delaware and the surrounding region so special.

History of Brewery

Our environmental commitment maintains we use renewable energy resources for our beer production.

In 1985, while attending the University of California at Berkeley, Samuel Hobbs wrote a chemistry paper, for a laugh, on “aqueous beer foam” (the head of a beer). It would take 21 years for that initial interest to manifest itself into something drinkable. The spark would come after 9/11 while he drank homebrewed stout with five of his friends. Motivated by patriotic feelings and the American dream of creating a business, the energy was set in motion to start Twin Lakes Brewing Company. Weeks later, Sam and his longtime friends Matt Day, Jack Wick, and Mark Fesche developed a unique 15 gallon gravity fed pilot system and began working to create their first signature brews.

They decided to locate the brewery at the beautiful “Twin Lakes Farm” in Greenville, Delaware. This historic 252 acre farm has been in Sam’s family for seven generations and has a deep rock well aquifer which supplies perfect water for brewing. Local artisans converted an old tractor barn and art studio to accommodate a five vessel, gravity fed brewery and tasting room. Finally, on April 13, 2006, the first two brands, Greenville Pale Ale and Route 52 Pilsner, were launched. 

Today Twin Lakes Brewery also produces Tweed’s Tavern Stout, Caesar Rodney Golden Ale and Winterthur Wheat, as well as seasonal styles Oktoberfest and Jublicious. Currently, Twin Lakes beer is available on tap at many fine restaurants and taverns in Delaware and Southeastern Pennsylvania. Growlers (half gallon jugs of beer) can be purchased at the brewery and kegs are available at most regional beer and liquor stores.

The Tasting Room

Everybody enjoys coming by the tasting room for a sample of all our freshly brewed beer styles.

The tasting room, originally an art studio of George “Frolic” Weymouth, has a wonderful, historical feel and an old world charm, and offers a relaxing atmosphere in which to unwind while tasting sensational beers. Matt’s tours are quickly becoming the stuff of legend – a guided tour through the history of beer and America and our unique brewing process. The brewery hosts intimate corporate and private gatherings as well as seasonal festivals and charitable fund-raising events.

In 2008, Twin Lakes Brewery began a plan to become a “green” company over the next decade. Initially, a two kilowatt system of solar energy panels was installed. Future plans include making the entire brewery completely energy independent. Matt envisions using electricity generated by harnessing the hydro power of the ponds and windmills in the fields. Twin Lakes is careful to recycle brewing byproducts by sending spent grain to a local dairy farm and composting used hops. The owners of Twin Lakes are committed to conserving the land and resources for future generations.

In 2009, Twin Lakes Brewery expanded its distribution beyond Delaware’s borders into nearby southeastern Pennsylvania. Fresh, Local, Delicious beer is now available on tap in Philadelphia and its five surrounding counties. A canning line, in the planning stages, will make Twin Lakes beer available to enjoy at home.

Sam, Matt and Rob and the many volunteers and assistants at Twin Lakes Brewery are passionate about preserving the art of brewing and making a positive impact on the community. Please stop by to visit the brewery and remember to ask for Twin Lakes brews at your favorite local bar or restaurant.

History of Twin Lakes Farm

Skating on the pond at Twin Lakes is a community tradtion going back around as anybody here can remember.

Twin Lakes Farm has a long and prestigious history dating back to our founding fathers George Washington and Caesar Rodney. At the entrance to the Farm, the Washington Pear Tree stood for 200 years and now its offspring stands in its place. It is said that General George Washington rested here and legend identifies the old Pear Tree as the spot where Washington planned the Battle of the Brandywine.

Twin Lakes’ 252 acres contain one of the most important watersheds in the state of Delaware. The pristine environment plays a significant role in providing clean water for Delaware’s largest reservoir. Hoopes Reservoir supplies drinking water for the entire city of Wilmington. Each generation of the family has been committed to preserving the land and the quality of the environment for themselves and the community.

The biodiversity on the property has been noted as some of the finest in Delaware. Twin Lakes is the site of some of the state’s biggest and oldest hardwood trees dating back over 500 years. The spring-fed ponds are home to over thirty waterfowl species as well as white-tailed deer, red fox, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, grey squirrel and groundhog. Occasionally, an American Bald Eagle can also be spotted.

For generations, local residents have enjoyed the tradition of ice skating at Twin Lakes Farm. When the ponds freeze, people from the community enjoy the natural beauty of the Farm and the winter season.

Twin Lakes Farm borders Route 52, which was designated as a National Scenic Byway in 2005 and is part of the picturesque Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway extending into neighboring Pennsylvania. Twin Lakes Farm is the largest tract of privately held land along the byway.

Today, Twin Lakes Farm has entered a new era as the home for Delaware’s finest American farm brewery, producing Fresh, Local, Delicious beer. Twin Lakes Brewery is proud to be part of the continuing history of the Farm.