Beer that’s “creative and not always mainstream.” That’s how brewer/owner Aaron Risser describes his approach at Fetish Brewing Company.
“The beer that started the company,” he explains, “was a chocolate stout with ghost pepper, which is still a fan favorite to this day. That’s a feather in our cap.”
It’s officially called a Ghost Pepper stout Fetish. There’s also a Pumpkin Ale Fetish.
“We’re even doing a Rustic Farmhouse Ale [Fetish] with local malt and herbs—rosemary and thyme,” says Risser. “Those are three beers that are definitely unique to us.”
But there are always 14 brews on draft at Fetish—a “careful curation,” he describes, so that there’s truly something for everyone. For example, the lineup often includes a few ciders—Tart Cherry, Elderflower, and Mango Ciders, to name a few. There’s also a Hazy 100 Pale Ale, as well as a Macro Lager—“a simplified, easygoing lager, because ultimately, a lot of people want that,” says Risser.
Cocktails—starring seasonal fruit such as peaches or strawberries—layer vodka, house-made lemon soda, and fruit puree, often topped with a big, juicy slice of fruit, making them “popular and refreshing,” Risser describes.
And if you think Fetish drinks rock, their venue does too—literally.
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Rockstar Location
Location, as they say, is everything. Fetish is part of the 108-acre Rock Lititz campus, a collection of 35 entertainment-related companies plus the Hotel Rock Lititz. The still-growing campus employs nearly
1,500 professionals focused on the live event industry.
Within that setting, Risser, 40, describes the Fetish vibe as “very analog” as well as “industrial.” Behind the bar, an old-school chalkboard lists what’s on tap, aside vintage audio reels and speakers.
“There are no TVs—we spin records, and it’s a social environment,” he says.
The classic vinyl collection ranges from Bon Jovi to Bruce Springsteen, Steely Dan to the Scorpions, the Rolling Stones to the Beach Boys. It’s a soundtrack to match the setting.
Fetish opened its doors at Rock Lititz in January of 2018, but Risser’s brewing talents were born back in 2005, when he created his first beer.
“I was dissatisfied with corporate life, and I always had aspirations of entrepreneurship—that led me into it,” he explains.
A native of Millersville, Lancaster County, Risser’s roots are in graphic design.
“Part of my own ethos is making something that somebody else gets to enjoy—that applies to visual art, just as it does to beer-making,” he says. “It’s a satisfying process.”
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Tapping Local Connections
Before Fetish hit the big time, it started small. Fetish launched as a business in 2012 by selling small-batch brews on a monthly CSA subscription basis. Today, Fetish is one of nearly 25 members of the nonprofit Lancaster County Brewers Guild. Within the craft beer industry, Risser says, “Lancaster County has come a long way.”
Risser says he’s always on the lookout for local relationships. At Fetish, customers can enjoy a longtime Lancaster staple, Hammond’s Pretzels. Farm-fresh brewing ingredients often hail from Cherry Hill Orchards and Brown’s Orchards.
About 15 local bars and restaurants have Fetish brews on the menu. But Fetish is also mobile, making appearances at local events and markets.
“I basically took a 6x12 single-axle trailer and built a bar into it, to create a mobile beer trailer,” says Risser. “We can serve beer on-site from the trailer—it’s like a Fetish beer wagon, and it’s bookable.” (Follow its travels on Instagram at @fetishbeerwagon.)
Every Thursday is trivia night at Fetish, while Fridays feature live musicians—mostly local artists.
All of those local connections and relationships, built one by one, bring energy and synergy into Fetish Brewing Company.
“The variety of what we offer, from the beer wagon to the in-person events, and the local purveyors we use—those are all great selling points for business. Now, more than ever, that stuff is important,” Risser says. “The trend, as I’ve seen it—people are patronizing local businesses more, caring about what goes into their bodies, and caring more about a thoughtful way of living.”
Fetish Brewing Company
201 Rock Lititz Blvd #22 (Pod 2), Lititz
717-917-0974
