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By all accounts Virginia colonists where brewing ale using corn back in 1587 and in 1789 George Washington without a huge marketing budget started his “Buy American” campaign by only drinking porter made in America.
Well I salute George Washington and his policy. We have so many fantastic ales, porters, lagers and pilsners brewed by large and small breweries across this fine country of ours. There is so much history in beer. So much so that it would take much longer time then either you or I have to both collect and publish. Especially since it's already available and it will definitely cut in our time of doing something much more important. Yes, the responsibility of tasting and sharing our experiences.
For this BLOG I will be asking for your opinion. What is your favorite beer, where do you like to be to enjoy it and who do you enjoy it with?
We will start this dialogue with my taste and yes I am very lucky to live in the middle of Pennsylvania German beer country. With a very short drive I can visit some of the most fantastic micro and national breweries. In one day with a designated driver you could visit Allentown Brew Works, Allentown, formed in 2007, Appalachian Brewing Company, Harrisburg, formed in 1994, Barley Creek Brewing Company, Tannersville, formed in 1994, Bethlehem Brew Works, Bethlehem, formed in 1998, Bullfrog Brewing, Williamsport, formed in 1996, Lancaster Brewing Company (they have a number of locations), Lancaster, founded 1840, Legacy Brewing Company, Reading, Lion Brewery, Inc., Wilkes-Barre founded in 1909 (a.k.a. Gibbons Brewery 1943-1974), Red Bell Beer Company, Philadelphia, founded in 1993, Sly Fox Brewery, Phoenixville, founded in 1995 and Royersford, second location opened in 2004, Stoudt’s, Adamstown, founded in 1987, Tröegs Brewing Company, Harrisburg, founded in 1996, Union Barrel Works (http://unionbarrelworks.com/) Reamstown, founded in 2007, Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, founded in 1996, Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Easton, founded in 1995, and D.G. Yuengling & Son, Pottsville, established in 1829, America’s oldest brewery. Whoa, now I’m really thirsty. That give you some fantastic opportunities and yes over the years I have had the pleasure of visiting everyone but one and I have made it a pledge to do that sooner than later. All of these Pennsylvania breweries are worth a visit.
I really do not have a favorite. It’s kind of like my feelings toward spirits. I have not imbibed in one that I do not like. Now there are some I love but as with anything all taste is personal. So if you start tasting (responsibly) now, by the time you’re my age you will be able to find many new favorites. I’ll take this opportunity to recommend a few friends.
First let me introduce Legacy Brewing Company. www.legacybrewing.com When you catch them there, it is a short tour but long on beer knowledge. The location is not really set up for tours but if you’re polite and their not in the middle of shoveling mash they will be happy to show you around and with proper I.D. even give you a taste of wort. Legacy is kind of close to me in both location and my heart. They have recently re-introduced Reading Beer. www.readingbeer.com. The brew I cut my teeth on. Yes it was my very first beer and at that young age I really did not like it, but I will tell you today it is a great everyday drinker, and will more than satisfy. Not the original recipe but the same ingredients tweaked to today taste. They also have recently introduced Fat Boy Amber Lager. A nice chewy lager. Find it and I guarantee your enjoyment.
Another great choice is Stoudt’s Brewery http://www.stoudtsbeer.com/brewery.html in Adamstown. They almost have as much gold as Fort Knox. I love their Scarlet Lady, as well as their seasonal Old Abominable Barley Wine, aged in whiskey barrels for 7 months. Try this hand corked brew on a cold night with a hard pretzel. By the way save time for dinner. Stoudt’s features some of the best aged beef you will ever find as well as a great selection of raw seafood and cheeses. Weekends do require reservations or a long wait which is not all that bad as long as you find a seat at the bar.
One of the more recent additions to the Pennsylvania Dutch Beer trail is the Union Barrel Works http://unionbarrelworks.com/index.html in beautiful downtown Reamstown, just don’t blink or you will pass through town. This circa 1911 building is a perfect place to enjoy one of their collections of their un-filtered brews. Kind of making it a health food. Now that's how i like to get my vitamins. You may also want to try the smoked trout chowder and give Tom a HAY!
Now it’s your turn. I need a beer!
Send and share your favorites and we will post them for the world to enjoy.
Serve smart…live well!
Social Chemist
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