Sterling Pig Brewery

What Sterling Pig Brewery does

Sterling Pig Brewery is an independent craft brewery and brewpub founded in 2015 by Loïc Barnieu in Media, Pennsylvania. The company operates two physical sites — a flagship brewpub and restaurant at 609 W State St, Media and a taproom in West Chester — that serve as the anchor for both on-premise beer and food consumption and packaged beer takeaway. Its core production technology is small-batch brewing, with a rotating recipe slate spanning year-round flagships (Shoat Pilsner, Big Gunz Double IPA, Technicolor Haze, The Snuffler IPA, Lil' Tech Hazy Session IPA), the rotating This Little Piggy single-hop IPA series, seasonal releases, and one-off collaboration beers with partners such as Saint Joseph's University, Philly Sisters, The Stoop Pigeon, and Deer Creek Malthouse. Brewing output has earned third-party validation including a 2018 World Beer Cup Silver Award and a 2019 Philadelphia Inquirer Brewvitational first-place win.

The business runs a hybrid go-to-market: direct-to-consumer through taproom sales, full-restaurant service featuring wood-fired pizza and Texas-style barbecue, e-commerce ordering with pickup at Media, and in-state DTC shipping via the 'Pig on the Fly' service across Pennsylvania; plus a B2B wholesale distribution arm managed by a dedicated sales team covering bars, restaurants, and retail accounts throughout the Greater Philadelphia Area (Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery Counties plus Philadelphia proper). Ancillary revenue streams include branded merchandise (apparel, drinkware, gift cards ranging $15-$300) and private event hosting at the Media brewpub, which accommodates up to 60 guests. Marketing is executed through Instagram, an email newsletter, community events (anniversary parties, comedy nights), earned media from outlets such as NBC Sports Philadelphia, 6ABC, PHL17, and Visit Philly, and co-marketing collaborations.

The company is privately held and founder-controlled with no disclosed institutional capital. It employs 51-100 staff and is Brewers Association Independent Craft certified. Distribution is constrained to Pennsylvania (with some shipping extending to DC and VA), and the company has not signaled expansion beyond the Mid-Atlantic region.

Name

Sterling Pig Brewery

Legal name

Sterling Pig Brewery

Website

https://sterlingpig.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sterling Pig Brewery is an independent craft brewery and brewpub founded in 2015 in Media, Pennsylvania, operating two taproom locations with full food service and distributing craft beer to bars and restaurants across the Greater Philadelphia Area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer Brewing

NAICS

Breweries (312120), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082)

akta.pro primary industry

Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA), Beer Brewing & Craft Brewing (AFAFAAAA), Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Brewpub restaurant
• Craft beer distribution
• Taproom beer sales
• Branded merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

Media

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Taproom Sales: On-site beer sales at brewpub and taproom locations including Media (headquarters) and West Chester taproom
2. Direct-to-Consumer Online Sales: Online ordering with pickup at Media location and shipping to Pennsylvania addresses for beer and merchandise
3. Food Service: Restaurant and food service at Media brewpub featuring Texas-style barbecue and elevated pub favorites
4. Distribution to Retail: Distribution of packaged and kegged beer to bars and restaurants throughout Greater Philadelphia Area
5. Merchandise Sales: Branded merchandise including apparel sold through online store and at taproom locations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sterling Pig Brewery produces small batch craft beer at its Media, PA brewery and sells it through two brewpub/taproom locations, a direct-to-consumer online store with statewide Pennsylvania shipping, and wholesale distribution to bars, restaurants, and retail outlets across the Greater Philadelphia Area. The company complements its beer portfolio with full food service at the Media brewpub (wood-fired pizza, Texas-style barbecue), branded merchandise, and private event hosting.

Product overview

Sterling Pig Brewery is a craft brewery and restaurant group operating in the Greater Philadelphia area. The company offers a diverse portfolio of craft beers centered on their core This Little Piggy single hop IPA series, flagship beers (Shoat Pilsner, Big Gunz Double IPA, Technicolor Haze, The Snuffler IPA), seasonal releases, and collaboration brews. Beyond beer, the business operates two brewpub locations (Media and West Chester) with full food service featuring wood-fired pizza and Texas-style BBQ, plus an e-commerce platform selling beer by the can/case and branded merchandise. The company also offers direct-to-consumer shipping (Pig on the Fly), distribution services to retail/hospitality partners, and private event hosting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shoat Pilsner World Beer Cup Silver Award-winning pilsner featuring Mt. Hood and Crystal hops from the Pacific Northwest with a subtle, clean malt character. Sold in cans and on draft to consumers and wholesale accounts.
• Big Gunz Double IPA Drinkable double IPA brewed with Chinook, Centennial, Simcoe, Cascade, Columbus, and Horizon hops over Pilsner and Cara Hell malt, sold on draft and in cans.
• Technicolor Haze Year-round hazy IPA featuring Citra, Simcoe, Meridian, and Nugget hops with Golden Naked Oats and Pilsner malt, producing a velvety, full-bodied brew sold in cans and on draft.
• The Snuffler IPA Year-round easy drinking house IPA brewed with Columbus, Simcoe, Centennial, Crystal, and Citra hops over Pilsner and Cara Amber malt, with citrus and tropical fruit notes. Sold on draft and in cans.
• Piggy Stardust Belgian Tripel Seasonal Belgian Tripel featuring Crystal hops with Pilsner and Vienna malt, balancing a clean malt backbone with fruity esters and subtle citrus. Released on a seasonal basis.
• This Little Piggy Single Hop IPA Series Unfiltered single hop IPA series using a consistent base recipe with a rotating single hop as the star, including Amarillo, Centennial, Citra, Galaxy, Nelson, Simcoe, Strata, Triumph, and Cascade variants.
• Orange Street Wheat Rotational Belgian style wheat beer spiced with orange zest and fresh ginger.
• Hell Pig Helles Seasonal crisp and crushable Helles Lager sold in cans.
• Lil' Tech Hazy Session IPA Core session hazy IPA built for easy drinking with soft, juicy citrus character and a smooth, hazy body.
• The Pig Pack Variety Pack 12-can variety pack featuring core favorites including The Snuffler, Technicolor Haze IPA, Orange Street Wheat, and award-winning Shoat Pilsner.
• Hawk Hill Hazy Session IPA One-off collaboration brew with Saint Joseph's University; a juice forward and feather-light hazy session IPA with juicy citrus and silky finish.
• Philly is a Women's Sports Town! Collaboration beer with Philly Sisters and The Stoop Pigeon supporting women's sports in Philadelphia; a portion of sales supports grassroots organizations.
• Sterling Hard Craft Seltzer: Mango Alcoholic craft seltzer in mango flavor sold in cans.
• DEC HAZE (Hazy IPA with Acaí) Hazy IPA brewed with Acaí, released as part of the 10th anniversary birthday beer series in July 2025.
• Brewpub & Restaurant (Media) Full-service brewpub and restaurant at 609 W State St, Media, PA offering in-house brewed beer, wood-fired pizza, Texas-style barbecue, craft cocktails, wine, and cider, with private event space accommodating up to 60 people.
• Pig on the Fly Shipping Direct-to-consumer shipping service that delivers Sterling Pig beer directly to consumer addresses anywhere in Pennsylvania, with additional pickup option at the Media location via the website.
• Wholesale Distribution Services Distribution of Sterling Pig beer to retail and hospitality partners across the Greater Philadelphia Area, managed by Sales Head Megan Armor and the regional sales team.
• Sterling Pig Merchandise (Apparel & Gift Cards) Branded merchandise including hats, beanies, aluminum wall tacker, and gift cards ranging from $15 to $300, sold through the online store and at taproom locations.
• West Chester Taproom Taproom location in West Chester, PA offering Sterling Pig beers on draft alongside local Pennsylvania spirits and merchandise.

Quantifiable outcome

• Silver Award at World Beer Cup 2018 for Shoat Pilsner
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Deer Creek MalthouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on SPB x Deer Creek Malthouse Oatmeal Stout - a co-developed beer recipe utilizing malt from this supplier
• St. Joe's UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Hawk Hill Hazy Session IPA developed with St. Joe's University
• Philly Sisters™minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-marketing collaboration for 'Philly is a Women's Sports Town!' promotion
• The Stoop PigeonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-marketing collaboration for 'Philly is a Women's Sports Town!' promotion alongside Philly Sisters™
• Stateside VodkaminorOthersListed on beer menu alongside craft cocktails featuring this spirit brand

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Victory Brewing Company: Downingtown, PA craft brewery with brewpub operations and regional Mid-Atlantic distribution. Operates in overlapping geography with Sterling Pig with a similar brewpub + distribution model.
• Tröegs Independent Brewing: Pennsylvania craft brewer with a brewpub/taproom in Hershey and multi-state distribution. Comparable in product mix (flagship IPAs and pilsners), independent craft positioning, and PA-based distribution footprint.
• Sly Fox Brewing Company: Southeastern Pennsylvania craft brewery with brewpub/taproom locations and regional distribution. Closely comparable in scale, geography, and brewpub-distribution hybrid model.
• Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant: Multi-location brewpub chain in PA, NJ, and DE combining full-service restaurant with on-site brewing. Comparable in food + beer hybrid model and Mid-Atlantic footprint.
• Levante Brewing Company: West Chester, PA craft brewery operating a taproom and regional distribution. Comparable as a PA craft producer competing for taps and shelf space across the same local geography.
• 2SP Brewing Company: Delaware County, PA craft brewery with taproom and regional distribution. Directly comparable as a neighboring craft producer in the same core Philadelphia-area geography.
• Yards Brewing Company: Philadelphia-based craft brewery with a brewpub/taproom model and broad distribution in the Greater Philadelphia market. Highly comparable to Sterling Pig in product category, geography, and target customer.
• Weyerbacher Brewing Company: Easton, PA craft brewery with broad Pennsylvania distribution and award-winning products. Comparable as a PA craft producer competing for the same shelf and tap real estate in the region.

Others

• Brewers of PA: Pennsylvania trade association representing the state's craft brewing industry. Relevant as a peer-ecosystem participant that Sterling Pig would engage with for advocacy, marketing, and industry networking.

Broad incumbents

• Dogfish Head Brewery: Delaware-based craft brewery now part of The Boston Beer Company, with national distribution. Comparable craft product portfolio and Mid-Atlantic origin, but operates at materially larger scale and is no longer independently owned.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/sterlingpigbrewery
• Xx.com/sterlingpigbeer
• Facebookfacebook.com/640109369425199
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sterling-pig-brewery

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sterling Pig Brewery