The people who make beer seem to me to be one big family. And, like all families, there are occasional conflicts.

But major acrimony doesn’t seem to be common. However, the partnership group behind Yard’s Brewing Company in Philadelphia are parting ways.

Founder and co-owner Tom Kehoe is splitting with his partners, Bill and Nancy Barton, and will move the 13-year-old brewery to a new, to-be-chosen location. Production of the beer is expected to continue without interruption.

The Bartons will keep Yards’ hulking brewing facility in Kensington and begin producing a new brand.

The breakup ends an occasionally bumpy, eight-year partnership that saw the beloved brewery grow into the city’s most popular microbrewed brand.

Unfortunate. Mr. Kehoe may be taking his brand and recipes with him, but will the water be the same? There are lots of stories of small brewers who didn’t make it. Will both companies be able to thrive? In the same market? Time will tell, I suppose.

(via Foobooz)