McKenzie Brew House (#2)

In 1920 Anna McKenzie came to America from County Mayo, Ireland. Living in Philadelphia, Anna met and married Irishman John Mangan in 1922. Amazingly John grew up just a mile from Anna back in County Mayo but the two had never met. Together they began a family. John Mangan, a marble setter by trade, wanted to provide more for his growing family so he opened Mangan’s Café in 1942 – a local bar in South Philly.

This popular Irish pub provided funds for the soon to be orphaned Mangan siblings. Eventually eldest son, Bill, took the reins from his beloved uncle who helped raise them. Thus began Bill’s long and successful start in the hospitality business operating both casual ale houses and fine dining restaurants in suburban Philadelphia.

In 1999 the idea of opening a brew pub intrigued both Bill and his son, Bill Jr, who by then had joined the business. They believed that a brew pub run by restaurateurs could be brought to a higher level. The Mangan’s worked hard to create a quality restaurant-brew pub that offered unique craft beers, delicious upscale foods and true family hospitality under one roof. In 2001, the first McKenzie Brew House in Chadds Ford was opened, named for Bill’s mom, Anna McKenzie. Soon more locations opened in Malvern and Devon. Be sure to look for a painting of Anna that graces the entrance of each McKenzie Brew House.