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La Cabra: A Berwyn brew pub with a Latin accent

A homebrewer in Chester County goes pro on the Main Line.

Quietly, Spanish and English teacher Dan Popernack entered the brewing world from the garage of his Malvern home, amassing a fan base and glowing press for his sour ales and experimental beers that the inveterate homebrewer couldn't sell you.

At 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, Popernack, 28, enters the pro ranks with the opening of La Cabra, a gorgeously rustic brew pub, at 642 Lancaster Ave. in Berwyn, most recently a furniture showroom across from the train station.

He's backed by general manager Chuck Golder (formerly of Merion Golf Club) and chef John Hearn (last at the General Warren Inne).

Popernack took cues from his extensive traveling in Spain and Latin America to order up a Latin menu - a refreshing change of pace from the American fare served at most other brew pubs.

The sprawling La Cabra ("the goat") spans two floors, with bars on each; the second floor, designed for parties, has a fireplace and comfy furniture. Because of the building's layout, the 7-barrel brewhouse is tucked in the back on the first floor. Popernack also has a basement loaded with oak barrels for aging.

Popernack expects to open with a variety of eight or nine beers, whose names are written on a glass plaque. The Brew Lounge blog runs down some of them. There also will be Pennsylvania wines on tap.

La Cabra is open Friday to Sunday for lunch, Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. (Opening time Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday is 3 p.m.)