UNION TWP., Pa. – A restaurant offering a creative seasonal menu and carefully selected variety of craft beer, wines and hand-crafted cocktails has ended operations in Berks County.
Fork & Ale, which featured a unique dining experience centered around fresh, locally-sourced food and exceptional craft beer and spirits, has closed at 1281 E. Main St. in Union Township, according to an announcement on the business’ website.
The Douglassville area restaurant, which opened in 2016 at the former Tim’s Ugly Mug site, featured an “inviting environment that is contemporary and fun, with the feel of an old-world neighborhood gathering place,” according to a business description.
“As our ten-year anniversary approaches, it is with sad and heavy hearts that we have made the difficult decision to close Fork and Ale,” owners Gary and Melissa Fry stated in the online announcement.
“For those who know us as owners, you are likely aware that this industry has been our passion for nearly twenty years, starting with Craft Ale House in Limerick in 2008, and following with Fork and Ale in 2016. Fork and Ale has been all about bringing a fresh, creative, local approach to food, craft beer, and cocktails to the area.”
Fork & Ale, located along the Schuylkill River Trail, offered a farm-to-table-inspired menu, with thoughtfully prepared pub standards and creative plates “grounded in home cooking where food is prepared from scratch with attention to detail and quality,” the business description continues.
Guests could enjoy starters and shareables such as house-made soft pretzels, local corn ravioli and shrimp, steak fajita flatbreads and summer tomato bruschetta; salads such as Asian chicken, Caesar and spinach (with optional grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon); and main dishes such as grilled wagyu steak, pan-seared grouper, bay scallops and farfalle pasta, a fried oyster sandwich, hot honey chicken sandwich and Fork and Ale burger (all-natural char-grilled, grass-fed beef, aged cheddar, house-made pickles, Gem lettuce, roasted garlic aioli and hand-cut fries).
“Everything on our menu — from dressings to sauces, soups and stocks — is house-made, and free of preservatives, MSG and chemicals,” the online description continues.
“We source from local vendors, procuring products that are all natural, grass-fed, free-range, and raised without hormones or antibiotics. Our seafood is wild-caught or sustainably farmed, and delivered fresh daily, never frozen. Produce is delivered daily as well, along with cheeses from local farms and creameries.”
Fork & Ale also offered a curated selection of craft beer, wine, ciders and meads, along with a seasonally changing cocktail list, consisting of handcrafted creations featuring top-shelf spirits, products from local distilleries and house-made infused syrups, bitters and seasonal herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables.
“As owners, there is nothing that fills our hearts more than seeing customers enjoying what we and our team have created,” the Frys stated in the closing announcement.
“We thank all of you who have valued and appreciated our business, and to those of you who have frequented Fork and Ale on a regular basis, you have become family to both of us and our staff. Since 2008, we have seen many changes in the restaurant industry. Varying difficulties have increased over the years, along with changing and often challenging times. Despite navigating many peaks and valleys over the past years, we feel it is time to step away to consolidate our efforts into one business, as well as look forward to some personal time and quality of life improvement.”
The Frys thanked current and past staff members along with everyone who’s visited and supported Fork & Ale over the years.
They plan to continue operating Craft Ale House in Limerick Township, Montgomery County.
“You all have contributed to our passion project and shaped Fork and Ale into what it is today,” they stated.
“We appreciate your loyalty and trust, and it has been an absolute privilege serving you. We hope this isn’t goodbye, and that we will continue to see your faces at Craft Ale House!”