TATAMY, Pa. – Just in time for Lehigh Valley Beer Week, a popular craft brewery is welcoming beer buffs to its new location in Northampton County.
HiJinx Brewing Company, offering a wide array of hand-crafted, freshly brewed local beer, on Friday held a soft opening of its new location at Tatamy Volunteer Fire Company, 164 Bushkill St., Tatamy, HiJinx owner Curt Keck told 69 News.
During its soft-opening phase over the next few weeks, the new location will operate with limited hours, Keck said.
Ryan Kneller
A grand opening event is expected to be held in early May.
This week’s hours are 4-11 p.m. Thursday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
“We’re so thankful for the continued support,” Keck said.
“This new spot has a fun, cozy and warm vibe, and we can’t wait to welcome back old friends while also meeting new friends. Community is everything to us.”
HiJinx’s new location, with indoor seating for around 60 guests, occupies a renovated space that previously housed the fire company’s social hall.
It debuted just in time for Lehigh Valley Beer Week, set for May 2-6 at locations throughout the Lehigh Valley, according to Keck, who’s on the Lehigh Valley Beer Week’s board of directors.
HiJinx Brewing Company, offering a wide array of hand-crafted, freshly brewed local beer, on Friday held a soft opening of its new location at 164 Bushkill St. in Tatamy.
HiJinx’s original taproom, at 905 Harrison St. Suite 111 in Allentown, closed on Dec. 20 with brewing operations at the same site ceasing Dec. 31.
Last week, Keck and the HiJinx crew shared an update on the brewery’s social media pages.
“After months of paperwork, planning, dreaming, and a few five-alarm headaches… HiJinx Brewing Company has officially received final approvals for our new home in Tatamy, PA!” the online announcement reads.
“… We’re beyond excited to bring our bold, creative brews to Tatamy… with a little extra firehouse spirit, a lot of character, and maybe a few sparks flying (the good kind).”
HiJinx’s new Tatamy space has been designed as a community-forward gathering spot with plenty to do beyond great beer.
Plans include room for fun activities such as cornhole, quoits, karaoke, live music and outdoor activities, along with indoor and outdoor seasonal celebrations.
The location also features an upstairs banquet and private event space, with additional experiences and offerings to be announced.
Ryan Kneller
“We have a small performance area for musicians and karaoke on the main floor, but our upstairs room is much larger and offers space to host big gatherings,” Keck said.
“Every Tuesday and Friday, we have a line dancing group that gathers here, and there’s also a kickboxing instructor who leads classes on Mondays. We want this entire space to be a great community asset for any and all types of events. We’re also looking to bring in some great local and regional bands once a month.”
Keck was attracted to the Tatamy spot for a few reasons, with one being that it’s a better fit for the business financially.
He also likes that it’s situated in a residential area with plenty of nearby homes, walking traffic and a great sense of community.
“The proximity to neighborhoods was a big draw,” Keck said. “I believe that’s a really up-and-coming area with nearby housing developments.”
Keck and the HiJinx team moved much of the brewery and taproom’s existing furniture and apparatus, including the bar, barrel tables and brewing equipment, to the new Tatamy location.
HiJinx Brewing Company
The bar features 12 draft lines, serving up primarily HiJinx beers and a couple of guest taps, Keck said.
Regional wines and signature cocktails made with Pennsylvania-made spirits also are available.
The brewing operation has been condensed in Tatamy, but customers can still enjoy all of the brewery’s popular beers, including Barista’s Coffee Porter, Wicked White (wheat beer), Citra Squeeze (IPA) and Pub Crawl (English-style bitter).
Guests can play games such as shuffleboard, and popular weekly entertainment offerings, including live music, karaoke and trivia, are also carrying over to the new location.
An outdoor seating area with picnic tables offers an al fresco retreat during nice weather, and additional games such as cornhole and quoits also will be available, Keck said.
“We’re still going to be HiJinx,” Keck said.
“We’ll still have all of the fun events, and there may even be some horseshoes outside during the warmer weather.”
HiJinx Brewing Company
Hours are still being finalized, but the new taproom will most likely operate Wednesday through Sunday following its grand opening, similar to its former Allentown taproom’s schedule, Keck said.
The HiJinx team is also in talks with a local food vendor who would utilize the on-site kitchen to handle food service, Keck said.
“Thanks for riding along with us,” last week’s online announcement continues. “The next chapter is about to ignite.”
HiJinx’s move to Tatamy is a positive development for the craft brewery, which announced plans in December to close its original taproom in Allentown.
“After 11 years on Harrison Street, we’ve made the tough decision to close the taproom on December 20th, 2025, with full brewery operations ending on December 31st, 2025,” Keck and the HiJinx team announced last year.
“… Like many small breweries, we’ve felt the impact of rising costs and shifts in the craft beer world. Even so, the spirit of HiJinx is very much alive.”
HiJinx’s Allentown location was no longer “conducive to what people want in the craft beer market right now,” Keck added.
HiJinx Brewing Company
“People want a place with indoor and outdoor space for hanging out and activities, that has ample parking and that is within walking distance of their homes,” he explained.
Over the past few years, Keck noticed a decrease in foot traffic and sales at HiJinx’s former Allentown taproom, and he attributes that to a variety of factors, including the economic climate and changing drinking habits and preferences.
In recent years, he’s observed more people drinking hard seltzers and less people drinking beer and alcohol beverages overall.
The concept for HiJinx began in 2007 when Keck was homebrewing and imbibing in his garage with friends.
One person in the group suggested that he open a brewery to share the product of his passion with the masses.
After some coaxing, and a few more pints, Keck agreed and said that the brewery needed a name that spoke to the hijinks and fun that took place in his garage.
There was a simultaneous “eureka” expression on everyone’s faces, and HiJinx was born.
In early 2011, the licensing process began and in November 2011, it became official. Brewing began on a one-barrel brewing system in the very same 400-square-foot garage where the idea was born.
After brewing there for two years, the HiJinx crew made the decision to expand and share their beers with a larger audience.
HiJinx Brewing Company
In 2014, HiJinx Brewing Company made the move to Harrison Street in Allentown, where it utilized a 10-barrel brewing system.
In its Dec. 1 social media announcement, the HiJinx team expressed its gratitude to the Lehigh Valley community for supporting its Allentown taproom over the past 11 years.
“We can’t thank you enough for all the love you’ve shown us over the years – from pints of Wicked White and CitraSqueeze to trivia nights, music events, seasonal releases, and every laugh shared in between,” the announcement continues.
“… Thank you for being part of the HiJinx Family. We’re hopeful, optimistic, and already dreaming about what comes next – and we truly hope you’ll be part of our next chapter.”
For the latest HiJinx updates, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram.