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 amount of craft beer in the U.S. and have more than 500 craft breweries all serving up the finest craft brews to pursue the perfect pour.
Use the beer trails below as your guide for discovering some of the best craft beer the state has to offer.
1. 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, meaderies, 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.
2. Cumberland Valley Beer Trail
Chambersburg
On the 33 location, 29 brewery 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 such as bottle openers or a fun themed t-shirt. As you work your way through the current 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. Lanc Ale Trail
Lancaster
The Lancaster County Brewers Guild invites you to explore their 24 member craft breweries that comprise the Lanc Ale Trail. Enjoy the creative brews of Cartel Brewing & Blending, a nanobrewery in downtown Lancaster where you’ll find a wide selection of traditional and modern beer styles. Visit one of the newest members to Lancaster’s community of craft brewers, Starview Brews located in a historic building in Columbia and serving up a variety of tasty, brewed-in-house beer on tap, along with a nice selection of specialty drinks. Be sure to get your Lanc Ale Trail Passport from a participating brewery to enjoy great beer while collecting stickers for fun merch.
4. Lancaster County Craft & Cork Trail
Lancaster
In the mood for libations in addition to beer?! Stretching from Bird-In-Hand to Hershey, the Lancaster County Craft & Cork Trail features over 30 breweries, wineries, and distilleries that pair perfectly with a Lancaster County adventure. Explore the wide variety of brews and maybe find a new favorite, such as the Commander Salamander sour at Spring House Brewing Company in downtown Lancaster. You can also venture to Twisted Bine Beer Co. in Mt. Joy for great tasting brews and equally great tasting food at this microbrewery. Download the trail’s mobile passport, visit locales, and be awarded a customized bottle opener, blanket, or pint glass.
5. 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 the newest edition of the 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), or other great prizes depending on the number of stamps collected.
6. Lake Erie Ale Trail
Erie
Check out this Great Lakes city that’s known for its port and its porters at this collection of 16 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.
7. Bucks County Ale Trail
Pipersville
The 26-brewery, 32 location 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 26 breweries you choose, this Bucks County trail is a must do on your craft beer journey.
8. Central PA Tasting Trail
State College
The Central PA Tasting Trail features five breweries, five wineries, two distilleries, and three 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 passport 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!
9. 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. Visit all the breweries to receive a commemorative prize.
10. 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. Download the free mobile passport, visit participating locations and win a free embroidered truckers hat.
11. Chester County Cheers
Downingtown
Chester County’s Brandywine Valley is home to 27 locations featuring 22 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 Chester County Cheers website is a valuable source to find breweries, wineries, distilleries, events, accommodations, and planning inspiration.
12. Susquehanna Ale Trail
York County
The breweries along the Susquehanna Ale Trail are not only locations where you can enjoy a craft beer, but also meet the brewmasters, learn their stories, 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. Download the Good Libations Trails digital pass and earn free swag. PS: Good Libations also offers the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail and Keystone Craft Spirits Trail.
13. The Lumberjack Tasting Trail
Clearfield
The Lumberjack Tasting Trail offers 17 brewpubs, wineries, and distilleries 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 free Lumberjack Tasting Trail merch. Boxcar Brew Works and the other brewpubs await you and your friends!
14. 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 VISIT PA website. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, X, 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 PA travel e-newsletter.
You might also like: 13 Must-Attend Pennsylvania Beer Festivals