McCall Collective Brewing Co. will take over and rebrand the Brü Daddy’s Brewing Co. brewpub in Allentown with its own name and drinks.
The transition at 732 Hamilton St. will be complete in September, a news release announced. Brü Daddy’s opened there in 2019, and will remain open throughout the transition.
Richard Ryan, Brü Daddy’s CEO and co-founder alongside his son Kevin, told The Morning Call Wednesday that they have been friends and collaborators with the McCalls, who also run a family business.
“That’s why this made all the sense in the world,” Ryan said.
He said Brü Daddy’s is leaving behind the Hamilton Street property to focus on distributing alcohol they produce at their facility that opened in 2023 at 635 S. 10th St. in Allentown, including beer, ready-to-drink cocktails and nonalcoholic drinks.
“It’s the resources you have and it’s time, it’s deployment of people, and it’s money,” Ryan said. “And those are the resources that we need to direct to our wholesale manufacturing and packaging business that is really growing. And the restaurant is … a great thing, it’s a fun thing, but it’s not really … the engine that’s driving the boat here.”
People enjoy creating fall-themed wreaths Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, during Crafts and Drafts at McCall Collective Brewing in Allentown. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
The transition makes sense, and Ryan said Brü Daddy’s could potentially open another brewpub in the future, but he feels mixed emotions saying goodbye to Hamilton Street.
“From a business viewpoint, we know we have to do this because focusing on your strengths and where your passion is is very, very important,” he said. “But we’ve developed relationships with all of the constituents of downtown Allentown. We’ve had reciprocal relationships with City Council and [property owner] City Center Group and all the residents and whatnot. And in particular our employees, and that’s probably the most important part, is our team of employees. So yes, there’s going to be great sadness in parting ways with them, and it’s something that we’ll certainly … shed some tears on that. But like any business situation, you have to do what’s right for the business, and we know that this is the right thing to do. But it does come with mixed emotions, no question about it.”
Kaitlin McCall is the owner of McCall Collective, which she said will continue to operate at at 102 E. Susquehanna St. in Allentown and 7743 Hamilton Blvd. in Upper Macungie Township.
She said the new Hamilton Street location will serve drinks and some food from McCall Collective, but plans to retain some Brü Daddy’s dishes as well as the majority of, if not all, the employees who want to continue working there.
“When the opportunity arose for us to be a part of now downtown Allentown, we were extremely excited,” McCall said. “We’re excited to take over this beautiful space that Brü Daddy’s has cared for for seven years. We’re excited to talk to their team and learn a little bit about their operations, and we’re excited to grow. We have some great employees that have been with us for over five years, and this opportunity is also for them to continue their career paths. And for us to, of course, meet new customers and be an awesome spot for everybody in downtown Allentown. But under McCall’s now, with our own vibes and all that we bring with our team and our quality … of beer and art and food.”