For some, the pursuit of happiness lies in downing an ice-cold, well-crafted beer – and the Keystone State has plenty of places to do just that. Whether it's a visit to the oldest brewery in the nation or to a time-honored church-turned-brew-house, Pennsylvania boasts more than 280 brew pubs and small breweries for your sip of fall. Explore some of our favorites. Come on – “hoppiness” awaits.
Yuengling Brewery - Upstate PA
Pottsville
www.yuengling.com/breweries/pottsville/
Only one brewery can claim fame as the oldest brewery in the United States, and it’s Yuengling. David G. Yuengling established the Eagle Brewery on Centre Street in Pottsville in 1829, and for almost 190 years, this family-owned and operated business has prided itself on its quality production and taste. Traveling through the factory, visitors can examine beer production, get a sneak peek at the cave under the factory and sample this historic beer.
Victory Brewing Company - Philadelphia and the Countryside
Downingtown
Named one of the best craft breweries in America, Victory opened in 1996 in an old Pepperidge Farm factory and immediately gained national recognition with its Victory Hop Devil. Most recently, Victory won “Sour Beer of the Year” and was nominated in six other categories at the 6th Annual Best of the Philly Beer Scene Awards in 2017. The German-trained brewers at Victory now brew 10 year-round brands, and 15 seasonal and specialty brands that are carried across 35 states and nine countries.
Tröegs Brewing Company - Dutch Country Roads
Hershey
Brothers Chris and John Trogner have always shared a love for great beer, and since 1997 they’ve been handcrafting world-class beers in Central Pennsylvania that combine traditional English brewing techniques with the eclecticism of new American brewing. Today, visit the expanded brewery in Hershey, where guests can sample more than 20 different beers including Hopback Amber Ale, Java Head Stout, and The Mad Elf (seasonal) in a large tasting café. Visitors can also choose from a guided tasting tour for those 21 and over, or a free self-guided tour available to all ages.
Church Brew Works - Pittsburgh and its Countryside
Pittsburgh
A brewery in a church? Only in Pittsburgh! Painstaking attention to detail and the integrative reuse of existing fixtures all help to create a spectacular atmosphere to enhance an unusual brewpub experience, offering handcrafted North German Style Pilsner, Bavarian Dunkel, British Special Bitter, and rotating Blast Furnace Stout varieties. Finish off your visit with a delicious meal at the in-house restaurant offering unique cuisine, such as pierogi pizza, that draws on the culinary styles discovered throughout the country by Chef Jason Marrone.
Straub Brewery - Pennsylvania Wilds
St. Marys
Deep in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds, the Straub family has been brewing beer using all-natural ingredients and nearly the same process since 1872. With no sugars, salts or preservatives, the Straub formula has made it a favorite for locals and around the country. After a tour, enjoy a complimentary glass of ice-cold Straub Beer to taste the all-natural, fresh beer right from the source.
Stoudts Brewing Company - Dutch Country Roads
Adamstown
Stoudts Brewing Company was Pennsylvania’s first microbrewery, and has grown and evolved from a small brewery with limited draught distribution to a packaging regional microbrewery. With distribution in more than 10 states, Stoudts produces more than 10,000 barrels of handcrafted beer each year. Visitors can tour the brewery and then dine at Stoudts Black Angus Restaurant and Pub.
Erie Brewing Company - Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region
Erie
Known as the home of “the taste of real beer,” Erie Brewing Company has been brewing traditional-style ales and lagers for more than 20 years. The brewery’s six year-round brews and five seasonal varieties are all handcrafted on site. Visitors can enjoy tastings and tours of the brewery Monday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. -10 p.m., Friday through Saturday 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and Saturday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Weyerbacher Brewing - Lehigh Valley
Easton
Dan Weirback showed more than a little horse-sense when he decided to open an English-style microbrewery with the Old Country version of his German family name, Weyerbacher, in an old livery stable in Easton. The award-winning Weyerbacher beers are true to the British style of ales, and its bourbon barrel beers – Heresy, Insanity and Blasphemy – are aged in real bourbon barrels. In 2016, the first release of its Brünicorn series earned top honors for the Sour Divisioin of The Inquirer’s 7th Annual Brew-vitational.
Lion Brewery, Inc. - Upstate PA
Wilkes-Barre
For more than a century, Wilkes-Barre’s Lion Brewery has merged rustic architecture with state-of-the-art brewing technology, evidenced by the gleaming stainless steel aging tanks that sit alongside the traditional copper brew kettle. Lion uses the traditional English method to create lagers and ales, and each product is an original recipe especially created to deliver a fuller flavor than ordinary beers, yet with an approachable style and character.
Selin’s Grove Brewing Company - Susquehanna River Valley
Selinsgrove
Located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Valley, this unique brewery opened its doors in 1996 and has been known as the “pub” to locals ever since. At this neighborhood brewery, visitors can sample up to a dozen ales and lagers on draught and beer engines.
Appalachian Brewing Company - Dutch Country Roads
Harrisburg
Appalachian Brewing Company (ABC) is located in a historic, three-story brick and heavy timber building in downtown Harrisburg with portions dating back to 1890. ABC is one of the largest microbrewery/brewpubs in the nation and the first brewery in the Pennsylvania State Capital since 1951. Free brewery tours are available every Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Yards Brewing Company - Philadelphia and the Countryside
Philadelphia
Founded in 1994, Yards began as a garage-sized operation in Manayunk, outside of Philadelphia. Now located in Philadelphia, the brewery continues to grow by creating English-inspired style while embracing the innovative spirit that defines American craft brewing. The brewery offers free tours on weekends, and the Tasting Room is open every day.
Penn Brewery - Pittsburgh and its Countryside
Pittsburgh
Penn Brewery is Pittsburgh’s first craft beer house, and this traditional German brewery has been crafting brews at their facility since 1848. The brewery continues to craft award-winning beers, including flagship Penn Pilsner, Penn Dark and seasonal favorites such as St. Nikoulas Bock and Oktoberfest, which Pittsburghers know and love. Tours are held at 1 p.m. on selected Saturdays each month. Private group tours are also available.
Susquehanna Ale Trail - Dutch Country Roads
Adams, York, Lancaster, Lebanon and Dauphin Counties
www.yorkpa.org/things-to-do/susquehanna-ale-trail/
The Susquehanna Ale Trail is comprised of a newly expanded collection of 8 establishments in the lower Susquehanna Valley that celebrates the beer-loving heritage of the Germans who settled in PA. Visitors can enjoy a pint while learning about the brewing process and how brews are tweaked to achieve the perfect flavor.
Great Barn Brewing - Philadelphia and its Countryside
New Hope
Opening as the first microbrewery in Bucks County, Great Barn Brewing embodies truly local farm to glass essence, going back to the land and honoring the ingredients that naturally grow in abundance. The brewery is located on a family farm that has been actively farmed for more than 40 years and remained true to its roots, creating distinctive beer that is truly a product of the soil.
Thirsty Farmer Brew Works - Dutch Country Roads
Biglerville
www.facebook.com/pg/ThirstyFarmerBrews
Enjoy a great selection of ales, lagers, and ciders hand-crafted on a family-run farm brewery that creates small batch brews and delicious light fare made with farm fresh ingredients grown on site. Sit out on the deck, sip a signature craft, and enjoy the beautiful scenery Adams County has to offer!
East End Brewing Company - Pittsburgh and its Countryside
Pittsburgh
A brewpub, taproom, and production brewery all in one - East End Brewing Company has been Pittsburgh's home for fresh local beer since 2004. East End boasts two locations both offering pint and tasters flights, big bottles, cans, and growlers and crowlers to go. While at East End, try their flagship beer Big Hop for an American Ale with big hoppy flavor and a Munich Malt backbone. Both brewery locations also invite guests in for brewery tours ranging from 30-60 minute tours!
Separatist Beer Project - Lehigh Valley
Easton
https://www.separatistbeer.com/
What started out three years ago as Sřle Artisan Ales, a singular Gypsy Brewer’s fermentative experiment, has evolved into a more expansive, exciting, and inspired group effort by a team with an enduring passion for beer. Separatist brews beer in a very different way - rustic brewing, foraged ingredients, and local partnerships with producers. From lagers, pale ales, pilsners, ciders, wines, and even kombucha, Separatist Beer Project has it all.
Tired Hands Brewing Company - Philadelphia and its Countryside
Ardmore
Tired Hands started in a garage eight years ago out of the founder’s curiosity and passion. The brewery is inspired by the farmhouse brewers of France and Belgium and the pioneering, heavy handed brewers of America. Tired Hands also values giving back to the community and prefers local over imported, sourcing nearby raw ingredients and materials and employing local talent. Stop into its three locations across Ardmore – the Brew Café, Fermentaria, and the General Store.