Here in Pennsylvania, we’ve been brewing beer since the 1600s, so we know a thing or two about what makes a good brew. Today, we produce the second most craft beer in the U.S. and have more than 350 craft breweries all serving up the finest craft brews to pursue the perfect pour.
Use the beer trails below as your guide for discovering the best craft beers the state has to offer.
1. Bucks County Ale Trail
Pipersville
The 24-brewery Bucks County Ale Trail boasts creek-side brewpubs and fresh startups offering craft brews with nontraditional ingredients. Try Bucks County Brewery’s New England-styled IPAs or American Pale Ale offerings — or pair one of Vault Brewing Company’s drafts with creative eats that elevate typical pub fare to foodie status, like pork belly fries or duck and apple pizza. Whichever of the 24 breweries you choose, this Bucks County trail is a must do on your craft beer journey.
2. Cumberland Valley Beer Trail
Chambersburg
On the Cumberland Valley Beer Trail, you’re rewarded with more than just local craft favorites, great grub, and cool merch. By collecting stickers at each stop, you can redeem for prizes like bottle openers or a fun themed t-shirts. As you work your way through the newly released passport for this trail, spanning from Chambersburg to Harrisburg, sample brews at the Revolutionary War-themed Molly Pitcher Brewing Company or try something new with one of the more than 100 options at Al’s of Hampden.
3. Lancaster County Ale Trail
Lancaster
Stretching from Bird-In-Hand to Hershey, the Lancaster County Ale Trail features over 30 breweries and distilleries that pair perfectly with a Lancaster County adventure. Explore the wide variety of brews and maybe find a new favorite, like the Hegemony Stout at St. Boniface Brewing Company in Ephrata or the Astounding She-Monster, a mango hazy IPA, at Spring House Brewing Company in downtown Lancaster. You can also venture to Troegs Brewing Company in Hershey for 8 year-round, 18 seasonal, and 12 splinter taps from their new Splinter Cellars. Sip your way across the county and beyond!
4. Pittsburgh Brewers Guild
Pittsburgh
With more than 40 breweries to choose from, the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild is making it easy to navigate the ‘burgh’s suds scene with an interactive map and printed brewery guide. The breweries offer everything from a “spiritual” experience at Church Brew Works, directional advice at Eleventh Hour Brewing Company, and proper etiquette at Beer Gentleman. Purchase a brewery guide at participating locations, get it stamped at 30 locations, and you’ll earn a commemorative howler to add to your trophy case (and to enjoy your next case).
5. Lake Erie Ale Trail
Erie
Check out this Great Lakes city that’s known for its port and its porters at this collection of microbreweries nestled around Lake Erie. The region is home to a variety of breweries that make up the Lake Erie Ale Trail whose passion for their craft imbues novelty and personality into their ever-expanding assortment of flavors, styles, and funky names.
6. Adams County Pour Tour
Gettysburg
The Adams County Pour Tour is a self-guided craft beverage trail that pairs history with a series of breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cideries throughout rustic Adams County. Grab your passport and trail map at any participating location and collect stamps as you treat your palate to downtown Gettysburg’s tasting rooms and other locations throughout the Adams County countryside. Then redeem your passport and collect your swag.
7. Central PA Tasting Trail
State College
The Central PA Tasting Trail features three breweries, four wineries, two distilleries, and two cideries — all in Centre County. Buy your Tasting Trail Passport to get stamped at each venue and receive a free gift at each stop! If you visit all 11 locations within one year, you can submit your completed passport for an exclusive Central PA Tasting Trail sweatshirt that can’t be bought anywhere else.
8. Butler County Beer Circuit
Zelienople
You don’t have to travel far for refreshing beers and distinctive menu items — plug into something new on the Butler County Beer Circuit. Each brew pub on the circuit offers a variety of unique and local craft beers year-round. Those who visit all the breweries will receive a commemorative glass mug, as well as a certificate for a free beer from one of their pubs.
9. Pocono Beverage Trail
Tannersville
Take a trip down the Pocono Beverage Trail and discover the region's finest handcrafted and award-winning beers, wines, and spirits. Whether you're looking to taste a dry red or sweet white wine, sip on a handcrafted whiskey, or tour a working brewhouse, there's something for every craft beverage enthusiast. Each stop on the trail boasts its own unique style and ambiance, many with tastings, tours, food, entertainment, and, of course, amazing craft beverages.
10. BV Brew Scene
Downingtown
Chester County’s Brandywine Valley is home to more than 20 craft brewing companies, from large-scale Victory Brewing Company to the pint-sized Locust Lane Brewery — a labor of love by three former Penn State fraternity brothers. Each brew team is unique with distinct focus, personality, and, of course, flavor. The BV Brew Scene website is a valuable source to find brewers, events, accommodations, and more. New brewers are on the horizon as well; stay tuned to this growing story in southeast PA.
11. Susquehanna Ale Trail
Gettysburg
The breweries along the Susquehanna Ale Trail are not only locations where you can enjoy a craft beer, but also meet the brewmaster, learn their story, and gain insight into the art of brewing. The trail, which is part of the Good Libations Trails, is a self-guided, year-round beer tasting adventure, designed for you to explore at your own pace. Discover all the locally brewed craft beers with friends and family and get a glimpse into our unique craft brewery culture. PS: Good Libations also offers the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail and Keystone Craft Spirits Trail.
12. The Lumberjack Tasting Trail
Clearfield
The Lumberjack Tasting Trail offers 17 brewpubs to experience at your own leisure. Don’t forget to pick up a Lumberjack Brew Tour passport at the Visit Clearfield County Visitor's Bureau or at any of the hotels and motels in the area. The passport will help guide you through the brew tour. Make sure to get your passport stamped and completed so that you can return it for a free t-shirt or hat. The Eternal Tap and brewpubs await you and your friends!
13. Laurel Highlands Pour Tour
Irwin
Embark on a self-guided journey to discover the story and people behind every craft beverage in southwestern Pennsylvania. Grab your official Laurel Highlands Passport and collect stickers as you enjoy the wines, ciders, moonshine, meads, and craft brews found throughout the scenic Laurel Highlands. Then, cash in your sticker collection for must-have Laurel Highlands Pour Tour collectibles!
To learn more about Pennsylvania’s beer scene, check out the visitPA website. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram to stay up-to-date on even more great trip ideas and places to visit around the state. Don’t forget to never miss an update and sign up for our monthly Happy Thoughts e-newsletter.
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