A new kind of bar is coming to downtown State College this summer.
The Press: Cider and Craft Beverage Tap House will open in the former location of The Deli at 113 Hiester Street and its owners hope to have it ready by the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in July.
It aims to be an intellectual merging of town and gown, co-owner and Penn State professor Kory Blose said.
“The Press is the collaborative vision of a small team of Penn State alumni and long-time Pennsylvania residents—people with deep roots in beverage fermentation, agriculture and science,” Blose said. “The idea grew from a shared passion for not only making exceptional cider, mead and wine, but also creating a space where ideas and people could mix. We wanted to build a place that celebrates craft and conversation equally — something different from anything else in town.”
Whether it’s putting together the toughest trivia night in town or simply inspiring intellectual conversation over mead, The Press wants to set itself apart from other downtown bars. That all starts with its menu.
The Press will offer 10 rotating taps of cider, mead and wine from its brands and local collaborators, four taps of Pennsylvania-based craft beer, two taps of guest Pennsylvania cider and a rotating cocktail menu featuring Pennsylvania-made spirits with unique cocktails featuring its own cider. There won’t be a full kitchen available at The Press, but it will offer pre-packaged food and encourage guests to check out nearby restaurants.
Blose said The Press will offer Cider Society memberships that include perks like a free weekly pint, exclusive tastings and invitations to special events. It’s also interested in hosting talks or department events from Penn State faculty.
The Press expects to be open from 4 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday, noon to 1 a.m. on Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday. The bar will take the day off on Monday and Tuesday.
“We’re not just another bar — we’re a destination for thoughtful drinking and meaningful connection,” Blose said.
The Press is one of at least eight new food and beverage establishments planning to open in the downtown area. That includes two nearby on the corner of East College Avenue and Hiester Street, where Chinese restaurant Kung Fu Noodle is getting ready to open in the former Liberty Craft House location at 346 E. College Ave., and a deli is in the works for Hi-Way Pizza’s former downtown location at 340 E. College Ave.
Geoff Rushton contributed to this report.
