Lolev Beer’s Going to Zelienople — And So Should You
The Lawrenceville-based brewery is opening a second site along the Butler County borough’s charming Main Street.
PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
Lolev Beer is moving up — to Butler County.
On Friday, April 25, the Lawrenceville-based business — named after the lower level of the house where brothers Ted and Scott Slesinski began homebrewing — will open a second location in Zelienople.
The building at 111 S. Main St. is no stranger to suds. Constructed in 1903, it served as a Barq’s root beer bottling facility for many years. Lolev now occupies the 2,800-square-foot warehouse space in the rear of the complex that also includes OOMA Home, Little OOMA and Studio Z Cycle. Exercise, then reward yourself with a pint and some retail therapy!
PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
The centerpiece of the taproom is the enormous U-shaped bar. The Butler Street taproom in Lawrenceville has a large lounge area and flexible brewhouse space, but limited bar seating. Co-owner Ted Slesinski says one of the many things he’s learned since launching the business in 2022 is that customers enjoy bellying up to the bar to talk about craft beer with the folks who make it. There’s plenty of room for beer bellies in Zelienople!
The company specializes in modern IPAs, lagers and barrel-aged beers that’ll have you sniffing, swirling and raising your glass like a certified cicerone.
In addition to 12 taps to keep you entertained, there will be a pool table, dart boards, lounge seating, an outdoor area and garage doors that open to a free public parking lot.
PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
The facility has a small kitchen, but the owners want to stay focused on beer. They plan to partner with local restaurants and host food trucks and pop-ups.
I grew up near “Zelie,” so I’m sentimental about the place. After every holiday parade, my family visits Santa’s house at the corner of Main Street and Grandview Avenue. Beer is always on my wish list, and boy, did St. Nick deliver this year. Next time I’m leaving him cookies and barleywine.
During the the summer, my daughter and I have lunch in town, sunbathe all day at Moraine State Park, grab dessert from The Snowman and then take the nostalgic route back so we can pick up Evans City Corn, sip from the lion-shaped water fountain and stock up on penny candy at Baldinger’s.
BALDINGER’S CANDY. PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
Sometimes we dine in neighboring Harmony, home to Union Brothers Brewing and The Harmony Inn, which, to my knowledge, is the only haunted restaurant in the world with a mustache.
Zelienople’s walkable Main Street is filled with quaint shops, attractions and eateries including Fisher’s Bar and Grill, Della Terra, Goodfello’s Pizza, Pasta & Grille, Kaufman Tavern and ShuBrew Brewery & Food. If you take a short stroll down New Castle Street, you’ll find Burghers Brewing, a company that also has pubs in Lawrenceville, the South Side and Millvale.
PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
The Slesinskis, natives of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, say community spirit is what drew them to Zelienople in the first place— and they’re happy to be part of it now.
