Sonder Brewing Company
What’s in a name? “Sonder is the profound realization that every random passerby is living a life as complex, vivid, and detailed as your own, filled with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries, and unique stories, in which you are merely an extra. Coined by John Koenig in The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, it describes the feeling of recognizing that everyone is the main character of their own epic, intricate narrative— a concept that evokes compassion and wonder (Google AI).” It’s no coincidence that Sonder Brewing’s name reflects the idea that everyone has a unique, complex life story. Ironically, each craft beer also has one—from traditional brewing yeast brought to America by German immigrants to new hops cultivated in the Midwest. Behind every craft beer is a story, and behind that story is another—the story of the person who helped create it. Co-founder Justin Neff’s description/tagline of their beers, ‘Uniquely Crafted,’ echoes the words of the psalmist: ‘Fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139:14). Every beer has a maker, and so does every human being (Isaiah 54:5). No two personal life paths are exactly alike; the same goes for artisan beer batches. Assessing the character of either a beer or a person is similar, as certain qualities are always present. Even though not every beer will match everyone’s taste, it can still be appreciated for what it is, and so can people. We’re all different, but we’re all human with the same basic needs. Sonder Brewing’s family-friendly taproom, designed to bring people together, features an open layout with long tables and square tables. The stools around the bar are comfortable, and the atmosphere feels warm and inviting. We sat at the bar on a Sunday evening during our visit. Next to us, the steady flow of guests stopping by to pick up carry-out orders was greeted by friendly bartenders—a lively crowd for a Sunday night. In addition to craft beer, a full bar is available to cater to a variety of tastes and preferences.
The craft beer experience is just as important at Sonder Brewing’s West Chester Taphaus and Kitchen as the food, which is carefully paired with each brew style by the brewery’s Executive Chef Ian Moxley. Besides main courses, tender warm Bavarian soft pretzels served with beer cheese and house mustard are on the menu, and they are delicious. Sonder’s most famous beer, called VOSS, is a German-style Kölsch named after a family member of one of the founders. It is golden, bright, and sparkling, with a clean aroma. This balanced, light, and refreshing beer with a citrusy, semi-dry finish is very drinkable. It’s no surprise that it won the 2023 World Beer Cup Gold in the German-style Kölsch category. Drinking water between beer samples helps clear the palate for the next taste, which was Eagle Light, an American light lager. The lager is also gold, clear, and sparkling, but with a slightly thicker white head than the Kölsch. It’s an extremely light, refreshing beer, but compared to VOSS, its flavor is too mild. You Betcha!, a hazy, golden-amber New England-style India Pale Ale, more than made up for the Eagle Light’s super light flavor. Its name comes from a catchy phrase used by Sonder Brewing’s beloved team members from Wisconsin, and it was the next beer in the flight. This tasty IPA offers citrus aroma and flavor, gentle bitterness, and a clean, dry finish. Following the IPA was a light-amber-colored Oktoberfest Fest Bier, which matches the brewery’s description: “A malty, smooth, and drinkable lager with spice notes and a clean hop finish.” Additional samples included Brobie, a vanilla porter, and Nocturnal, a dark lager, both chestnut brown, delicious, and well-balanced. The vanilla porter’s aroma features floral notes, vanilla, and chocolate. It’s a rich, full-bodied beer with malty flavors and a smooth, dry finish. Similar to the porter, the dark lager is just as appealing with its chocolatey aroma and layered complexity.
Like a distinctive and intriguing craft beer, people come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, each just as valuable as the next. The word sonder is all about people, and people, like beer, can be simple or complex, effervescent or flat, fresh or spoiled, and well-balanced or imbalanced, ranging in color from black to pale. People from all backgrounds see life through their own perspectives, experiencing unique joys and setbacks. Sharing thoughts over a beer brings neighbors and friends together, fostering reflection on life’s journey. Sonder invites guests to relax, enjoy the surroundings, good beer and food, and most of all, the human experience.
