Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandy Bialek.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a lifetime learner and fun seeker who has always had a love for beer and adventure. After raising three kids then taking on the corporate world, I decided to pursue my lifelong dream of founding a small business – Fat Bat Brewing Company.
My Brewer is my baby brother – younger by 21 years. He grew up next door and started brewing in his early 20s. He always wanted to be a brewer.
In March 2018, after some health scares I decided it was time. I had enough management training, my brother’s beer and art were great, my husband recently retired – operations manager, and my daughter – a social media wiz – just started her own branding/marketing company (https://www.samanthabo.com/ ). After a little convincing, all were on board to get the business off the ground.
Building community is at the heart of my business mission. I believe in the power of beer to encourage social interaction. My aim is to promote engagement by creating the best atmosphere for sharing great beer with friends, neighbors and visitors, while supporting revitalization of the Hanover. At the same time, I am building relationships with local vendors for brewery supplies and merchandise, working with local charities to raise funds, and providing space for local craftsmen to sell their wares.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Funding – women still need a husband’s signature for a loan, while high school students get college money with their own guarantee.
Suppliers – many vendors have a hard time dealing with a female as the owner of a business, especially a brewery. They talk to my husband or brewer like they are making the decisions, even in my presence.
Post COVID economy – people do not get out of the house like they did pre COVID
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Fat Bat Brewiing Company?
Fat Bat Brewing Company is about building community, revitalizing Hanover, PA and encouraging the cultural growth of this small town. I promote engagement by creating the best atmosphere for sharing great beer with friends, neighbors and visitors, while building relationships with local businesses. Fat Bat manufactures beer and seltzer which we offer for sale in our Taproom. Our innovative, tasty libations are the talk of the town. We are the home of the original adult bubble tea and bubble seltzers.
I work closely with local vendors to purchase brewery supplies and merchandise and work with local charities to raise funds.
In many ways, Fat Bat is a cultural hub for Hanover, PA. Our fermenting room serves as a space for pop up shops for local artists and artisans that do not have a storefront and networking space: tables are offered to locals to sell wares or advertise their business at no charge. Our Taproom has a rotating display of museum quality paintings to advertise our latest offerings – all created by my brewer – one of Hanover’s local artists. We host many events that bring people together.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I would not have begun this journey without my core team: husband, Dave, works to ensure the equipment is operational, my brother, Kevin Smith, makes great beer and great art, my daughter, Samantha Bodenstine, built and keeps the website and marketing (Samanthabo.com). All three of these people do more than what is mentioned.
While building the brewery, I was offered a spot in a mentorship program with the Brewer’s Association. I got support from experienced owners and managers from around the country.
In addition, my entire family has been a great support system. They worked the first few weeks that we were open and continue to support events at the brewery.
Pricing:
- $6-$9 pints
- $9-$10 handcrafted drinks using taps
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.fatbatbrewing.com
- Instagram: @fatbatbrewing
- Facebook: @fatbatbrewing
