Bucks County has been flourishing with historical architecture for several centuries - from Victorian-style to Georgian - and some of these structures are still standing today.The Grundy Museum, once a four-story brick house built in the popular 19th century Federal-style (literally described as a simple square or rectangular box using plain surfaces), is now a beautifully elegant “red brick Queen Anne-style house”, remodeled from its original style in 1884. The Grundys were directly linked to local history spread across the region, including William Penn and John Hulme, founder of Hulmeville, but I’ll get into that a little later.
Broken Goblet Brewing is an out-of-this-world experience - you probably have not visited a brewery even close to the uniqueness Broken Goblet portrays - it’s pretty cool. Plus, they have some of the best craft beer in the area, live music and movie nights! (And, if you show up hungry or are hankering for some great food, Nick’s Roast Beef is conveniently located right outside at a stationary food truck.) Count me in!
About the Museum
The Grundy family’s ancestors were some of the first early European settlers in Bucks County - one of which, Mr. Giles Knight, actually came to America alongside William Penn aboard the ship “Welcome,” according to the Grundy Museum’s website. Edmund Grundy, a prominent merchant and figure in Philadelphia and Bucks County, married Rebecca Hulme. Her father, William, was also a direct descendant of a notable figure in Bucks County - Mr. John Hulme - founder of Hulmeville, Pennsylvania.
William Grundy, born in 1836, and was the second son of Edmund and Rebecca Hulme Grundy. He established a worsted yarn manufacturing company that moved to Bristol.
The Grundys resided in homes located throughout Bristol Borough until 1884 when they purchased and renovated the Grundy home that many of us know today.
The family expanded the house, adding a two-story, wrap-around porch, a new grand staircase, and elegant wood and decorative details reflecting the Queen Anne style. The rooms are still adorned in the same fashion that the Grundy family would have left it over a hundred years ago.
William also served as Burgess for the Borough of Bristol and was very active in improving the town, lobbying for the interests of American business and protecting American industries. His children, Margaret and Joseph, were the two last direct descendants of Edmund Grundy and the Grundy family, a group that has helped to shape the area we know and love today.
To register for tours of the Grundy Museum, visit the Grundy Library at 1:15pm or 2:30pm Tuesday - Thursday and Saturday. Please note: the Museum is closed January - March. While admission is free, donations are kindly accepted to help maintain the museum’s historical significance and programs. (If you pop over, please donate to this beautiful establishment, as well as any other historical structures and organizations existing today - many rely solely on the donations from local residents and supporters.)
About the Brewery
Broken Goblet Brewing opened its 1,400-square-foot tap room and 1,500 square foot brewhouse on July 12, 2014 and has since become a top craft beer staple in the area.
Co-owners Mike Lock and Jay Grosse (lifelong Bucks County resident) formed a beer club as a way to generate support, test out their beers and marketing, and determine if opening a brewery was within arm’s reach - and it was. They formulated the brand, invented a mascot, and grew the Brewtal Beer Club to 30 members in six months. They hosted events and eventually found their remaining two “brew guys” - Andrew Grosse and Joe Fazekas.
If you’re into Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or the Metal music genre, then this place may tickle your fancy even more. With beers like, “The Fall of Ryesengard” and “Thorin,” you will feel like you fell right into the center of Middle-earth. (Looking at you, LOTR fans!) Plus, they have a cool brew blending an ale with Teavana Strawberry Grapefruit Xue Long Green Tea, creating a “unique and complex flavor and bouquet.” If you like pairing tea, movie references, or witty puns with your beer, this brewery is the place for you.
The brewery received its unique name through, well, a “happy accident.” Originally, the founders fought for months to maintain the rights to their original name, but were forced to back out due to trademark disputes. When co-owner Mike shared the bad news, Joe Fazekas threw the goblet he was holding on the concrete, breaking the goblet, literally making the best out of a bad situation, and thus the name “Broken Goblet” was born.
Fun fact: All of their beers are Vegan compliant, meaning that they do not use any animal product in the clarification process, nor do they use any milk-sugar based products in their beers! (Not that I’m a Vegan, but I sure do enjoy knowing that “no animals were harmed in the making of this beer!”) Something even cooler? Broken Goblet sends the brewery’s spent grains to a local farm which in turn supplies them with meat for their annual pig roast.
“We look at how to reinvent how you come to find out about our beer, and how you experience it for the first time. Broken Goblet Brewing will change your perspective on what a microbrewery can be.” - Mike Lock, Co-owner.
