Independent hard seltzer maker Two Robbers will open its first taproom in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood later this year.
“While a ‘seltzer taproom’ isn’t something typical for this industry, we’re doing it in true Two Robbers fashion, with a space that will serve our seltzers, innovation products like our nitro hard coffee, hard kombuchas and other drinks that we haven’t released, cocktails made with our seltzers, fruited seltzers, etc.,” co-founder and co-CEO Vikram Nayar told Brewbound.
The 4,000 sq. ft. taproom – titled Burgers and Seltzers – is the first seltzer taproom in Philadelphia. In addition to a beyond beer-driven menu, Two Robbers will serve smash burgers, beer and spirits. Hard seltzers will be served both on draft and in package.
Local artist Alex da Corte will design an installation for the space, which itself is designed by London-based Storey Studio and Ashok Nayar.
Seltzers and Burgers will join a smattering of other seltzer-focused taprooms when it opens in late spring or early summer. Boston Beer Company began construction in August on a Los Angeles taproom for Truly Hard Seltzer, the second largest brand in the segment. San Juan Seltzer operates a seltzer taproom in Seattle. Charlotte, North Carolina-based Summit Seltzer opened a taproom in its hometown in September 2020, according to VinePair.
Philly’s Fishtown neighborhood, where Seltzers and Burgers will open at 1221 Frankford Avenue, has been a popular destination for craft breweries. Brooklyn, New York-headquartered Other Half Brewing announced last year it would open a taproom in the space Goose Island vacated in 2020. Colts Neck, New Jersey-based Source Farmhouse Brewery opened a facility in the former Fishtown Brewpub in August 2021.
“This is definitely one of the biggest steps we’ve taken as a company, and we’re excited to further establish our roots in Philadelphia,” Nayar told Brewbound.
The new location will serve as both Two Robbers’ new headquarters and a consumer-facing retail facility; it will not have production capabilities, Nayar said.
In addition to the taproom, 2022 will bring about new markets for Two Robbers, which is the top-selling independent hard seltzer brand at off-premise retailers in the Northeast tracked by market research firm IRI, according to Nayar.
Later in the first quarter of 2022, Two Robbers will expand to the three New England states — New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine — where it does not currently distribute via the Sheehan Family Companies wholesalers in each state, as well as Ohio with Premium Beverage.
Following the brands’ 2018 launch, Nayar and his brother and co-founder Vivek Nayar focused on securing placement in buzzed-about bars and restaurants to introduce the brand to consumers. The on-premise channel is still key for the company.
“It’s slowed down a bit for sure, but still our fastest growing channel by far,” Nayar said, adding that on-premise sales in the fourth quarter of 2021 were up more than 200% compared to the same period in 2020.
Also this year, Two Robbers plans to expand Happy Coffee, its 5.2% ABV nitro hard coffee brand, which rolled out in late 2021.
“We sold out initially, and have really been focused on scaling up production for Fall 2022,” Nayar said.
In addition to its home state of Pennsylvania, Two Robbers distributes to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, Texas and Oklahoma.