Halfpenny Brewing Company

Best friends since high school, Chris Reigrut and Chris Garner, owners of Halfpenny Brewing Company, share a love of beer that goes back almost as far as their friendship. Even before they met, brewing was a part of their identities. Chris Reigrut grew up in Germany, mostly in Bavaria, a part of the world steeped in brewing tradition. Chris Garner’s great-grandfather was a brewer and distiller in Pennsylvania who had to shut down the family business during Prohibition. With brewing in their blood, the two started homebrewing together in 1996–first in 5 gallon batches, then with a half-barrel all-grain system. Despite the larger production, they found they barely had a six-pack apiece after fulfilling the requests of thirsty friends, neighbors and family. They were making beer worth sharing!