From Basement Brewing Setups to a Thriving Pub: The Story of The Broken Axe Brew House
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN – The Broken Axe Brew House located at 1 East Bald Eagle Street in Lock Haven has become well-known for its wide range of craft beer options and its distinctive menu. Owner, Nick Hawrylchak, was inspired to open an establishment that offered a wide variety of locally brewed beer and top-notch cuisine in a pub atmosphere.
Since its opening in 2015, The Broken Axe has gained a solid base of satisfied customers and maintains a 4.7-star rating on Google Reviews.
Hawrylchak and his wife Jocelyn own and operate the pub, with Nick running the front-of-house bar and dining operations and Jocelyn managing the kitchen, coordinating specials, creating the menu, and crafting new recipes.
Nick’s background in brewing and his desire to offer something different in the Lock Haven area compelled him to open The Broken Axe. He wanted to create an establishment that catered to craft beer enthusiasts and that also offered a unique food menu to accompany it. “The beer brewing side has always been a passion and a side project,” he said. “I was a manager at Hangar 9 for seven years and wanted to branch out and do something different. At the time our area didn’t have any place that was focusing on the craft beer scene or pub fare to accompany it, so I thought maybe I could fill that niche and offer something different.”
The interior of The Broken Axe is designed in what Hawrylchak describes as an English pub style, inspired by traditional European, English, Irish, and German pubs. Upon entering, new customers will find a cozy atmosphere that features a historical logging theme incorporated into the decor. Hawrylchak made the establishment unique in many ways, but one standout is the showcase of Lock Haven’s pivotal role in the Pennsylvania lumber industry, with historical photos adorned on the walls of the pub. Honoring this aspect of the community’s history hits home for Hawrylchak, whose family has been deeply involved in the logging industry for generations.
Hawrylchak chose a fittingly symbolic name for his pub, paying homage to his family’s rich history in the lumber industry which goes back several generations. Hawrylchak, a native of upstate New York, is a Lock Haven University graduate who has called Lock Haven home since 2002. His family currently operates a successful wood processing yard in Albany, NY. Hawrylchak’s grandparents had an illustrious journey in the lumber trade, spanning from the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine to the forests of Canada. Their legacy even left its mark on the shores of the historic Hudson in New York.
Hawrylchak says that the name of the pub also cleverly plays on the phrase “not the sharpest tool in the shed.” Despite being the youngest of five siblings and considering himself somewhat of a “black sheep” for not having attended a prestigious university like his siblings, Hawrylchak’s business venture is certainly nothing to scoff at.
Unlike most college students who typically spend their 21st birthday on the customer side of the bar, Hawrylchak had his sights set on working behind it.
Hawrylchak had become a well-known figure behind the bar long before opening his establishment. He started his first bartending job at the former Fallon Hotel after having worked there as a bouncer for some time. He was also a bartender at The Town Tavern and later became a bar manager at Hangar 9 Restaurant and Lounge. “I was at Hangar 9 for seven and a half years,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of different bar scenes.” Hawrylchak’s versatile experiences while working as a bartender may be a major contributor to his success with The Broken Axe.
During his time as a bartender, Hawrylchak developed a passion for brewing beer. What started as a hobby involving a simple setup in his kitchen later progressed to a handmade basement brewing setup as his love for the craft continued to grow. Having studied countless brewing books, collaborated with fellow brewers, and participated in several beer festivals, Hawrylchak is a beer brewing enthusiast with a deep appreciation for the art.
Hawrylchak also discovered a love for fine spirits and enjoys putting a modern twist on traditional cocktails. This fall, customers can expect drink specials that match the changing season. A few of the latest drink specials include the brown sugar old-fashioned, pumpkin pie martini, and the salted caramel white Russian. “We’ve really ramped up our cocktail options. We make our own simple syrups, which are featured in our brown sugar old-fashioned as well as our chai espresso martini,” he said.
The bar offers an extensive range of beers on tap. “We have over 30 beers on tap, but when our inventory is completely full it’s closer to 34,” he said. “We carry everything from ciders, blondes ales, and pilsners to fruit-influenced beers like shandies and wheat beers. We have pale ales, IPA’s, brown ales, red ales, scotch ales, porters, stouts, and seasonal selections too, which we rotate.” For those who prefer domestic beers, Hawrylchak says that he offers a variety of blondes and pilsners, ensuring that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The Broken Axe Brew House has partnered with several breweries in the Central PA area with intentions of not only expanding the drink menu but also supporting other local brewers. Hawrylchak emphasizes his openness to collaboration with other local businesses and has even partnered with a neighboring brewer, offering craft beers from Floating Feathers Brewing Company located in Mill Hall.
Beer mugs hang above and around the bar in the pub, all belonging to members of what Hawrylchak has dubbed “The Mug Club”. “Customers can join by purchasing a mug for $40,” he said. “These mugs hold more beer than a regular serving, so as a Mug Club member, you get a larger pour.” Mug Club members receive a new mug each year while maintaining their membership, along with promotional discounts during their birthday month.
Currently, there are 215 mugs in the bar area, and new memberships are not being accepted, however, Hawrylchak noted that each year members can decide to renew or forfeit their mug, potentially opening up spots for new members. A new mug design is created and issued to both new and current members annually.
Earlier this week, Hawrylchak announced via The Broken Axe’s Facebook page that the pub has adjusted its hours of operation and will now be open on Mondays. Hawrylchak highlighted that he’s also extended happy hour at the pub, giving customers a broader time frame to grab a drink. Happy hour begins when the pub opens and continues until 5:30 p.m. “If people are feeling adventurous with craft beers on tap, we do have a ‘flight happy hour’ Monday through Thursday until 5:30 p.m. During happy hour on those days, a flight of 6 beers is only $9.”
In terms of the food menu, The Broken Axe serves what Hawrylchak describes as “elevated pub fare”. Jocelyn creates the signature dishes, which she and her staff prepare from scratch daily using locally sourced ingredients. Purchasing through local food and beverage suppliers has always been a priority for the Hawrylchaks. “We pride ourselves on the fact that we offer fresh food made from ingredients that are locally sourced,” Hawrylchak said.
The menu includes staple items that have become fan favorites, but each week a new special is offered in addition. “Our food menu includes our staples, but we do switch it up seasonally. Every week we offer featured entrees starting on Friday and running until the following Thursday,” Hawrylchak explained. “Currently we have the apple chutney chicken sandwich on special, and that sold out several times last week, so that one is a favorite.”
The pub fare is a product of Jocelyn’s love of food and her dedication to continually educating herself when it comes to learning new methods of cooking. “She spends a lot of time learning different recipes and also different techniques in terms of cooking,” Hawrylchak said. “Every day she’s cooking at home and trying out new things,” he added. When The Record spoke with Hawrylchak at his establishment in the morning hours, Jocelyn was already hard at work in the kitchen preparing food for the evening, a testament to her dedication, hard work, and passion for creating dishes that keep patrons coming back.
Hawrylchak noted that the Broken Axe’s weekly specials are always listed on the business’s Facebook page and website, which he keeps up to date as they change. These dishes will be swapped out in exchange for the next special entree that Jocelyn crafts.
In addition to indulging in fresh, high-quality food and beverages at The Broken Axe, customers can also enjoy live music provided by local musicians almost every Saturday night. On Saturday, October 14th, live music will be provided by Sean Farley from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Next on the list will be Anchor and Arrow, who will play on Saturday, October 21st at 8:00 p.m. Ben Griswold is set to close out the month, performing live on Saturday, October 28th at 8:00 p.m. Committed to providing live music in the pub, Hawrylchak mentioned that he has already booked musicians for the rest of the year, and is now in the process of booking musicians for 2024.
When asked what he is most proud of about The Broken Axe Brew House, Hawrylchak expressed that he’s gained a diverse customer base who’ve made his establishment their gathering place. “I would say I’m most proud of the community that’s sort of grown inside The Broken Axe over the years that we’ve been here. We have so many customers from different walks of life who are on a first-name basis with each other simply because they run into each other here,” he said.
The updated hours of operation are Monday through Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. with happy hour from open until 5:30 p.m.
To see the latest dining and drink offerings or to check out the schedule of upcoming live music, visit The Broken Axe Brew House’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BrokenAxeBrewHouse/ or visit the website at www.brokenaxebrewhouse.com. For takeout orders, call (570) 858-1933.
