Oh, sweet Brewery.

I never thought we’d see this day.

After over 50 years of serving crisp PBRs, vodka crans, and truly any beverage I could ever crave, the State College Borough decided to pave over your historical, charming public house to make room for an uncontested atrocity: another parking garage.

Dearest Brew, you were there for me every Friday night without fail, and now, in your time of need, there’s little that can be done for you. Your unwavering support hit just as intensely as the hot air I felt when I entered your basement abode. I’d do anything to experience that feeling again.

I celebrated birthdays, Halloweens, and graduations within the comfort of your brick walls, and the sounds of Lowjack will forever remind me of you. Listening to “Feathered Indians” and “One Headlight” never let me down, and neither did you.

I think about the photographs scattered on your walls throughout your exquisite establishment and the history embedded inside. Few bars have stood the test of time like you, Brew, and it breaks my heart that you can’t go out on your own terms.

As a piece of State College history and a magnet to those who cherish tradition, you were often home to regulars, and I’d see many of the same faces every week. However, I never failed to make an additional friend, meet a Penn State alum visiting for the weekend, or chat with someone new about their favorite Dave Matthews Band song.

And while there’s a revolving door of old and new friends to chatter with, one thing always remained constant: Rockey and Shooter. The bartending duo that did it all.

Rockey and Shooter never complained when I ordered 14 “Kermit in a Blender” shots at once for my friends, and they did it with a smile. I thought one day I’d cross every specialty Brew concoction off my list, but I was wistfully wrong.

Still, despite once ordering 14 Kermit in a Blenders, I never waited longer than five minutes for a drink. A true feat in the town we call home.

McAllister Alley won’t be the same without you, Brew. No Friday night is complete without a walk down your long hallway and the sweet sound of a basement fiddle. The dulcet sound of the fiddle now plays the tune of “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell. The State College Borough has truly paved paradise.

“I just like being around people, talking to people, having fun, making friends, and enjoying life,” Shooter told Onward State last year. “Everyone is really welcoming at the Brew. We’re like family.”

Enjoy life at the Brewery we did. Hug your friends tight and your favorite dive bars tighter. Thank you for your service, Brew.