The Legend of the Sandflies
In the mid-18th century, a Native American sorcerer appeared in the Mahoning valley and began attacking travelers east of the land currently known as Punxsutawney. A brave young chief, eager to prove himself, sought out the sorcerer and challenged him in battle. The chief slayed the sorcerer, bringing the body back to his tribe as proof of his victory.
In order to completely destroy the evil medicine, the tribe burned the sorcerer’s body. However, they watched in dismay as the sorcerer’s ashes turned into “ponksad”, or sandflies, and spread out over the nearby land to continue to plague the local Native Americans. From that time on, the tribe called their town “ponksad-uteney”, which means “the town of the sandflies”. The name was adopted by English settlers and thus was born Punxsutawney.
Sandfly’s Modern Legend
In late 2017, a Punxsutawney-based home brew club called The Jefferson County HOPZ was founded by Matt Koppenhaver with Jason Huffman as an original member. Both already had some home brewing experience and were looking to share knowledge with other home brewers. The club started pouring samples at local events and eventually started hosting pizza and beer pairing dinners with local business Punxsy Pizza. Both the beers and the events themselves received such positive feedback that Matt and Jason became increasingly convinced that not only could Punxsutawney support a craft brewery, it also needed one. And they had just the right tools to make that a reality.
A years-long search for a suitable location, reliable business partners, and affordable funding eventually led to Sandfly Brewing Company as we know it today. Several buildings were seriously considered before finding the perfect location in 2022 - an old car wash with an owner just as passionate about the brewery project as Sandfly itself. Having already paired with two established local businessmen for additional clout, Matt and Jason were able to secure financing from The Progress Fund and North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission. So began an eight-month sprint to open the Sandfly Brewing Company brewery and tap room.
Craft beer in Punxsutawney
As the first Punxsutawney brewing company in the craft beer era, Sandly takes its role in the area very seriously. Their mission is simple - make great craft beer, and create an environment that everyone can enjoy.
Using only the freshest ingredients, and highlighting local products when possible, allows Sandfly to produce consistent and quality beer. The beer is brewed right on site - you can see the brewhouse while sitting at the bar - so you know it is fresh! The five barrel (155 gal) brewhouse allows Sandfly to make enough beer to leave no one thirsty while still keeping a steady rotation of new styles or returning favorites. Seasonal styles are right alongside stalwarts like Sandfly Sour, with occasional small-batch special releases. Sandfly Seltzer is also constantly changing flavors.
Sandfly’s brewery and tap room were created from an old industrial car wash. While that sounds a little crazy, all of the utilities required were already present, and the building was equipped with floor drains. Thanks to Day Services, LLC, any required renovations were completed quickly, including a one-of-a-kind bar-in-a-wall. The location also provided a spacious, paved outdoor area complete with a large canopy providing cover for food trucks and patrons. After being outfitted with several picnic tables, it became the perfect location to enjoy a pleasant afternoon or evening with family and friends.