Delco Profile: Abby Feerrar of Four Birds Distilling Brings Locally Crafted Spirits to Havertown

Delco is home to a number of amazing breweries with comfortable tasting rooms where the community can gather, like Sterling Pig in Media and 2SP in Aston, as well as wineries, like Penns Woods in Chadds Ford.

But when it comes to distilleries … there’s not as much going on. However, thanks to Four Birds Distilling Co., a newer venture from Abby and Joey Feerrar in Havertown, this is changing!

 

 

This enterprising couple, who live in Newtown Square, started their entrepreneurial journey with Bald Birds Brewing Co., which has locations in Audubon and Jersey Shore, PA. Inspired by the success of their brewing venture, the Feerars decided to expand into distilled spirits, and they launched Four Birds in the Spring of 2021.

“We serve Pennsylvania spirits in our taprooms, and wanted to supply our own,” Abby remembers. “We also saw a huge opportunity, as the hard seltzer growth was slowing and the ready-to-drink canned cocktails were surging, in terms of market share and growth.”

 

 

Adding a distilling and canned cocktail arm of the business wasn’t a huge leap, since the Feerrars had the space and were already familiar with the process of alcohol production, and had a solid team in place to help them research the ins and outs of federal and state licensing.

They hired a master distiller, Robby Windborne, who had experience working at distilleries around the country.

“He’s a spirits genius!” Abby enthuses.

Four Birds launched with its own line of canned cocktails, including orange crush, Moscow mule and mojito, as well as bottled craft vodka. They started self-distributing to bars in the region, and have been working on getting on the shelves in more Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores between Philadelphia and Scranton.

 

 

Another important component of the business was opening the Four Birds tasting room in Havertown. The Feerrars were familiar with the building, which most recently housed Irish restaurant and market McKenna’s Kitchen, and then The Hearth, a brunch cafe. They were friendly with the building’s owners, and circumstances aligned to allow them to sign a lease and open in November of 2021.

“It seemed like a really good fit — we live close by and knew we could focus our energies on the space; plus we have lots of friends and family in the area!” Abby says. “It’s cozy and cute, which is the vibe we wanted to have, like a lounge-y vibe versus a big industrial space.”

 

 

The Havertown community greeted the Four Birds tasting room with open arms. Families and neighbors, both Delco lifers, as well as transplants, gather around the cozy tables to sip on house favorites, like the Honey Old Fashioned and Moscow Mules. The tasting room, which is adjacent to Haverford Middle School, is also a popular gathering place for teachers looking to unwind at the end of the week.

“Havertown is such a welcoming area, and the reception has been great!” Abby says. “There’s always someone looking for a spot to hang out, and it’s a really fun community to be a part of, with events like Havertown Day and Music Fest.”

 

 

When the tasting room opened, the space also hosted a kitchen partner, Sidebird Kitchen, which, after six months, decided to move elsewhere. After a search for a new food concept, Four Birds recently announced a new partnership with Sophie’s BBQ (formerly in Ardmore), which will be offering its crave-worthy food, like butterscotch swirl cornbread, brisket cheesesteak and crispy smoked duck, to compliment Four Birds’ fabulous cocktails.

 

 

Four Birds temporarily closed the tasting room in February to prepare the space for Sophie’s BBQ, but they are now back in action, ready for guests to enjoy the tasting room or the outdoor beer garden, complete with a sun-drenched patio and cornhole.

Find Four Birds Distilling Tasting Room at 1901 Darby Rd., Havertown, (610) 446-1428. Open Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 10 p.m., and Thursday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Monday.

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Want to know more about everything Delco? We’re more than just your source for good eats — we’re your source for where to stay, what to do and more in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We’re Visit Delco, PA, and we’ve got you covered from Philly to the Brandywine. Contact us at (610) 565-3679, by email, or online.
– Emily Kovach

 

All photos courtesy of Four Birds Distilling