Taps are open at Brewery ARS on West Passyunk

Twin brothers Sean and Andy Arsensault moved to Center City Philadelphia from Upstate New York in 2005.

Sean worked in the chemical industry, while Andy was an environmental engineer.

They found that the Foodery - and its wide selection of beer - was their frequent meeting point. After awhile, "we said, 'Why can't we make something of our own?'" Sean recalled.

They started homebrewing in 2007, and then they started to turn pro. Sean got a transfer to France, where he said he spent the better part of his leisure time over four years by touring breweries in Germany, the U.K., and Belgium to get pointers.

Meanwhile, Andy chucked it all and went to the University of California, Davis, to study brewing. He came back and got a job with Victory Brewing.

From there, they wrote a business plan. To raise money, they hosted tastings out of the house Sean shares with his wife, Erica. "We kept telling friends to bring friends," he said. No matter that there'd be 30 to 40 people quaffing beers in their rowhouse.

A year ago, they leased a former garage at 1927 W. Passyunk Ave., bought a 10-bbl brewhouse, and started navigating not only the federal and state brewing permits but the city L&I and Health Department requirements.

Saturday, Dec. 17 will mark the debut of Brewery ARS - they use the first three letters of their last name. They'll have three beers on tap at first, and eight are expected soon in their tasting room. Their ales use whole flower hops, and are never pasteurized, centrifuged, or filtered.

There's no kitchen. On the opening day (noon to 10 p.m.), Michael Strauss of Taproom on 19th will have his Mike's BBQ smoker parked out front, and he'll sell barbecue. On other days, various food trucks will set up. Or just do it right: Pop into Nick's Roast Beef around the corner at 20th and Jackson and take out a "roast beef wet" to enjoy in the tasting room. The Clymer, a high-carbed saison with 5.8% ABV, will pair quite nicely.

The Arsenaults, 34, will offer their beers in the tasting room. As production steps up, Brewery ARS beers will be sold to local bars and restaurants in kegs.

Tasting room hours will be 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Here's a video preview shot on Dec. 16, 2016.