OUR STORY
Rooted in engineering precision and a deep PA brewing legacy, CKW brings people together over exceptional craft beer across South Central PA. From our flagship Columbia brewpub (aka the mothership) to our historic taprooms in Lancaster City and Adamstown, every pint tells a story of community, history, and independent craftmanship.
Engineering A Shared Vision
The story of Columbia Kettle Works began in 2000, when Bill Collister and Rod Smith first crossed paths while working together in the robotic automation industry at Farason. Beyond their shared background as mechanical engineers — complemented by Bill’s background in business management — the two quickly built a lasting friendship over a mutual appreciation for great craft beer.
Before long, Rod dove into homebrewing, honing his recipes and taking home awards for his creations. Bill picked up a few brewing lessons along the way, but mostly excelled at judging the finished product. Conversations about opening a brewery of their own grew over the years. As Bill approached early retirement, the idea finally turned into a concrete plan over a few pints at Bulls Head Public House.
The location search spanned across Lancaster County, and Columbia ultimately emerged as the winner for two key reasons. Positioned just off Route 30, it offered a central hub between Lancaster and York — ideal for serving nearby Wrightsville, Marietta, and underserved neighboring towns during an era when craft breweries were still rare in the region. Add in an exceptionally persistent building owner who kept sweetening the rent deal until it was impossible to say no, and CKW had found its birthplace.
In Spring 2014, CKW officially opened its doors in a modest 2,000 sq. ft. rented footprint inside a historic 15,000 sq. ft. building.
Built on Variety, Local Sourcing, and Legacy
Over the years, CKW has grown alongside its community. We’ve expanded from our original rented room into the entire building — eventually purchasing the property — and upgraded from a rudimentary 5-barrel setup to an automated 10-barrel brewing system. Today, Head Brewer Chad Rieker guides our brewhouse, blending family heritage with technical mastery.
Our brewing philosophy is built on variety. Rather than focusing on a single trend, we craft a diverse tap list ranging from classic, obscure, and historical global recipes to modern favorites. Our goal is simple: whenever a group walks through our doors, every beer drinker — regardless of their palate — can find a brew they truly love.
That same commitment to quality extends to our food. Our Columbia and Adamstown locations feature kitchens serving elevated casual fare. Instead of relying on mass food distributors, we proudly source our food and kitchen supplies directly from small, independent purveyors in the region.
Heritage in Every Pour
Since joining CKW in 2015, Chad Rieker has served as Head Brewer, bringing formal technical expertise and a century-old family heritage to every brewed batch.
Born and raised in Lancaster, Chad carries a family name deeply rooted in local brewing history. He is a 6th generation descendant of Frank A. Rieker, whose legendary Rieker Star Brewery stood at 602 West King Street from the late 19th century until Prohibition.
A 2010 graduate of the American Brewers Guild, Chad built his foundation as an assistant brewer at Iron Hill Lancaster before serving as head brewer in training at Iron Hill West Chester. He then returned to lead Iron Hill Lancaster as Head Brewer from 2013 to 2015.
OUR HISTORIC LOCATIONS
Columbia Brewpub (the Mothership)
40 N. 3rd St, Columbia
Located in a river town rich in PA’s industrial and railroad heritage, our flagship brewpub opened in 2014 in the former home of the Columbia Telephone Company.
What started as a single room has expanded to include our beautiful Brewhouse Dining Room, sidewalk seating, and a second floor which now houses Switchboard Studios & Gallery. Our family-friendly amenities are designed to welcome everyone.
2nd Gear Taproom
112 N. Water St, Lancaster City
Opened in 2018 and situated inside a lively cultural block and courtyard shared with Zoetropolis Cinema and Cocina Mexicana, the location sits directly atop local Prohibition lore.
In the early 1930s, bootlegger Max Hassel famously ran a secret 3,000-foot rubber hose through the city's underground sewer lines along Water Street to pump beer undetected from Rieker Star Brewery to a nearby loading site. Today, 2nd Gear carries on Water Street’s brewing connection.
Adamstown Taphouse
2800 N Reading Road, Adamstown
In 2021, we opened in a location sacred to craft beer history: the former home of Stoudt’s Brewing Company, founded by Carol Stoudt — the first female brewmaster in the U.S. post-Prohibition.
After starting in a large multi-purpose space, we moved into our customized corner taproom in 2023. With natural light, patio seating, our Forge Dining Room, and an easygoing vibe, our Adamstown Taphouse proudly honors the space’s pioneering legacy.