Altered Genius Brewing in Ambridge will make its debut with growler sales, until the statewide ban on sit-down pubs and restaurants is lifted.

AMBRIDGE — Altered Genius Brewing originally had planned a nice grand opening for last Saturday.

A few food trucks, promotional support from the Ambridge Regional Chamber of Commerce, and a chance for the public to step inside for the first time to sample the beers from the Beaver Valley’s new craft brewery.

Those grand opening plans went down the drain, however, due to the coronavirus and a resulting statewide ban on sit-down restaurants and pubs.

But here’s the good news for craft beer enthusiasts: Altered Genius has put together plans to open online purchasing, focused on growler sales.

This weekend, the Ambridge craft brewery will test its online sales system with friends and family.

If all goes well there, Altered Genius will offer the public curbside pickup of growlers beginning the weekend of May 7-10.

Mike Haas, one of the partners launching Altered Genius, recommends checking for updates on the Merchant Street brewery’s website and social media pages.

Bridgetown Taphouse, a restaurant five blocks north on Merchant, already has been selling takeout growlers of Altered Genius’ Lazy Chestnut Brown Ale soaked in bourbon barrels.

"We do not have canning yet," Haas said. "We are looking into canning and bottling in the very near future. We may do some 22-ounce bottles."

Initial growler varieties will be limited, though among the beers Altered Genius will brew are four India Pale Ales — including two flagship IPAs; a New England style and a more West Coast version — as well as a Chocolate Fudge Coffee Stout, using coffee beans from Prestogeorge Coffee & Tea in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.

Two saison style beers, a traditional version and one with blueberry and thyme, also are planned, along with a peach milkshake IPA.

And brace yourself, beer lovers, for Altered Genius’ Red Hot Chili Porter infused with habanero.

"It’s subtle, not super spicy," Haas said. "We believe in letting you taste the beer, not just the flavor."

Altered Genius’ pub, at 411 Merchant St., will open "as soon as it’s allowed to be," Haas said. "We have space for about 100 people inside plus the patio outside we’ll be trying to expand sooner or later."

He and partners Donnie Cardone, Kerri Jaram and Ken Jaram are eager to greet customers at their cozy, inviting space they spent considerable time converting from a former Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe and barber school.

Peering in from the curb, it looks like the kind of craft brewery you’d see in a vibrant, trendy place like Lawrenceville or Millvale.

A teacher at an alternative school, Haas and co-worker Cardone discovered they had a mutual interest in craft-beer making, and 11 years ago began practicing together their then-hobby. As time moved on, the encouragement of others gave them the ambition to open a craft brewery.

That dream became a reality after they met Ken Jaram, who owned a suitable property in Ambridge.

Haas grew up outside of Millvale, and saw how a few craft breweries raised the stature of that blue-collar town as a nightlife destination.

"I’ve seen what they’ve done there, and I think we have the same potential here," Haas said.

London Cain, president of the Iron Horse Community Theatre in Ambridge, said he’s thrilled about Altered Genius opening right around the corner.

"I believe this new local brewery will be a source of local identity and pride," Cain said. "I am sure that our theater patrons will be thrilled to know that they can get a pint of locally made beer within walking distance to the theater. The economic ripple effect will be great for the entire community."

J.J. Hrechun, administrator with the Ambridge Regional Chamber of Commerce, said "It's impressive to see what they've done already in renovating their new Merchant Street location. With their passion and determination, we see Altered Genius as a new anchor business for Downtown Ambridge, that could entice similar businesses to invest here. We can't wait to have them open for business."