I tell you what, Dale and Sasha Frailey are doing things right out in the small town of Smithmill. They are living the dream, you might say, working hand in hand together with their family, operating a greenhouse, winery, and, now, a brewery out on the southeast edge of neighboring Clearfield County.
With a unique setup inside a repurposed greenhouse, the family’s Muddy Paws Brewery celebrated its one-year anniversary back in March, the weekend before I went out to visit. Over that year, it has continued to grow, keeping them busy. Like any good father, Dale is quick to give his family their credit when it comes to their success.
“There is no way we could do it without our boys [Dakota and Levi] and their wives [Kayla and Brooke]. They sometimes work 80, 90 hours a week in spring,” says Dale, with the right amount of pride. “And we have two granddaughters who are here with us every day.”
So, while it is a bit of, shall we say, an interesting drive to get there from the Centre Region, with a trek that takes folks out through Tyrone and then on a windy road up towards the Allegheny Front, to me it was worth the effort to see what they have going on out there.
After all, it is that time of year again where the grass is growing and gardens need planting and tending, requiring many trips to the greenhouse. And the Fraileys have a greenhouse situation that is sure to satisfy both the green thumb of the family and those who would rather enjoy a beer or glass of wine with a wood-fired pizza straight from the oven. I mean, why not just make a whole day out of it?
After all, the sunlight sure shines beautifully and bright inside the Muddy Paws Brewery greenhouse, while overhanging canopies help the light from being overwhelming. On colder days, a firepit helps to keep things warm, while the outdoors provides a perfect place to hang out and enjoy the sunshine on nicer days.
Either way, dry or muddy paws are always welcome.
“We all love dogs and we only have one rule here: If you bring your dog with you, you are not allowed to come back without it,” Dale says. Indeed, on a wall near the bar are photos of all the dogs who have stopped to say hello.
The fun here all started back in 2015 when Dale and Sasha decided to leave their jobs and follow their dreams by opening Frailey’s Greenhouse and Garden Center. Before long, Dakota and Levi moved back home and joined the team.
In 2018, they decided to expand their business with Uncle D’s Sassy Glass Winery. Inside the tasting room and bottle shop, customers can try some of their more than 20 different varieties of wine made with 100% real fruit. For Dale, it was something that came naturally to him.
“I was born and raised on a farm and I started off making moonshine with corn, and we gave away a lot of apple pie moonshine back in the day. But then we decided to try wine, my wife and I,” says Dale. He adds with a laugh, “We messed a bunch of it up at first, but, you know, we got pretty good at it and really enjoy it. Wine is a lot of fun. You get to see what the good lord’s hand plays every year.”
Then, with Dakota and Levi on board, Dale ventured into the brewing process.
“That’s the best part of brewing beer — I get to do it with my boys. You know, most days when I go home on days we are brewing beer, my sides hurt from laughing,” Dale says. That fun turns up in the end product. With about 10 different styles typically on draft, they try to keep a variety of flavors for customers’ different palates. Typical offerings include pilsners, red ales, IPAs, stouts, and an island lager (I’ll be back to try the red; it was out when I came up).
It all seems to pair well with the food offerings that vary from brick-oven pizzas, smash burgers, and mac and cheese to local food trucks. Dale says the whole setup was designed in a way for people to hang out and get to know each other.
“We need interaction in our world. There is too much looking down at phones. Here people walk around, they bump into someone and they start talking to them and make new friends or they meet people they haven’t seen in a while,” says Dale. “We know it is a drive to come out here, but if the food is good, and the beer is good and the atmosphere is good, people will come back. That is what we are working for.”
Yes, indeed, it all sounds pretty good to me. I can say one thing for sure: With a nice selection of beer and some tasty looking food, this was the best greenhouse I have ever been to. I am sure I’ll be back to try that red ale. Maybe I’ll bump into you when I am there. T&G
Vincent Corso enjoys drinking local and meeting new people at Central Pennsylvania’s many interesting establishments.
