Reports: City Backs Down From Threats Against Free Beer Event; Weaver Still To Get Cited

The City of Pottsville has reportedly backed down from its threats to shut down a Free Beer event planned by an embattled downtown business.

According to a report from Republican Herald, Pottsville Mayor Dave Clews said Friday that the city was facing a “public relations nightmare” had it followed through with its threats to shut down an outdoor Free Beer event planned by Bobby Weaver, owner of the shuttered Black Rock Brewing Co., on S. Centre St.

Therefore, the Free Beer event is now on as planned.

However, according to report from WOLF-TV, Clews also said that the Pottsville Fire Chief and a police officer will visit the Free Beer event and cite the owner but allow the event to carry on.

“We’re very glad the city of Pottsville finally came to their senses and that this safe and free event will be able to be enjoyed by all,” Weaver told The Canary late Friday night after learning of the latest developments.

Free Beer Event in Downtown Pottsville Will Not Be Shut Down

Weaver announced recently that he was hosting a Free Beer event on Saturday, March 16. This announcement came soon after his business was denied a chance to reopen by the Pottsville Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals. Black Rock has been closed since mid-May 2023 following a small late-night kitchen fire, after which code inspectors allege the business had 67 code violations.

Despite his claims that those code violations have been addressed, Pottsville continues to deny Weaver a reopening, saying that he hasn’t met the code standards.

So, perhaps inspired by the frustration, Weaver decided to hold a Free Beer event, which really roiled City officials.

This week, City Solicitor Tim Pellish sent a letter to Weaver indicating that if the Free Beer event were to go on, the City would shut it down. A similarly worded press release from Clews on Thursday indicated the same.

Still, Weaver said he’d carry on with his plans. And now, it appears he’s outlasted those threats.

The Free Beer event is scheduled for Saturday evening, from 5-9 p.m., outside the Black Rock Brewing Co. on S. Centre St. Other establishments in downtown Pottsville are also planning big events to coincide with the city’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration, which starts with a parade at noon.

When The Canary asked Weaver on Thursday if he worried about upsetting fellow business owners downtown with his giving away free beer while they try to sell beer, he said he didn’t believe his event would do that.

Weaver believes his event may draw more people to downtown Pottsville and that most people will stick around for a beer or two and then move on to another establishment to support them as well.

A Battle is Brewing Over Free Beer Event in Pottsville on Saturday

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