{"id":83552,"date":"2017-07-20T07:40:58","date_gmt":"2017-07-20T13:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.craftbeer.com\/?p=83552"},"modified":"2019-03-18T09:26:45","modified_gmt":"2019-03-18T15:26:45","slug":"pennsylvania-breweries-craft-beer-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.craftbeer.com\/beercation-destination\/pennsylvania-breweries-craft-beer-guide","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to Pennsylvania’s Independent Breweries and Beer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pennsylvania has a long history of brewing that dates back to Colonial Days. George Washington made beer<\/a> for his soldiers in the battlefields of Valley Forge, and the state was home to an influx of German immigrants who introduced the lager to North America.<\/p>\n

As an example of that heritage, consider that more than 130 years ago in 1885, a man had already accomplished enough in the Pennsylvania beer world to warrant a statue. Frederick Lauer, a 19th-century brewing pioneer and the first president of the United States Brewers\u2019 Association, was immortalized in his hometown of Reading by a statue that still stands today. In 2016, the BA donated $25,000 towards its restoration<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He was a brewer, of course, but his signature work was in helping to establish a tax code for beer that would help keep unprofessional and unsanitary brewers out of the market. So yeah, Pennsylvania\u2019s been doing this beer thing for a long time.<\/p>\n

(VISIT: Find Pennsylvania Breweries<\/a><\/strong>)<\/p>\n

Pennsylvania\u2019s Beer Pioneers<\/h2>\n

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Weyerbacher is one of several Pennsylvania breweries that’s been open more than two decades. (Credit: Weyerbacher)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

As craft beer continues to grow throughout the country, it\u2019s important to remember that a good portion of it started in the East.\u00a0 While craft beer communities in the western U.S. get a lot of attention, you can\u2019t overlook the industry\u2019s pioneers east of the Mississippi. Pennsylvania is a hotbed for independent craft breweries who started in the early 90s.<\/p>\n

\u201cPennsylvania was right at the cusp of [the craft beer movement],\u201d said Christian T. Lampe, production manager of Weyerbacher Brewing<\/a>. \u201cMy company is 22 years old. Victory and Tr\u00f6egs are both more than 20 years old. Yards is 22 years old. Stoudts<\/a> in Adamstown was here long before any of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

(READ: How Stoudts Built a Craft Brewery to Stand the Test of Time<\/a><\/strong>)<\/p>\n

Before this new class of craft brewers made waves, brewers like Yuengling (Pottsville), Penn Brewing Co. <\/a>(Pittsburgh), and Straub<\/a> (St. Marys) embodied the state\u2019s German history by making American lagers.\u00a0 Yuengling opened in 1829 and is the oldest continuously operating brewery in the United States.<\/p>\n

Pennsylvania\u2019s Best City for Beer?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019d be easy to give Philly the nod if only for its historical roots in America\u2019s beer history.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink back to Colonial Days,\u201d said Dan LaBert, executive director of Brewers of Pennsylvania. \u201cI\u2019m sure plenty of our governmental structure was discussed over a pint of beer in Philly.\u201d<\/p>\n

History aside, the beer in the greater Philly area backs it up. With a portfolio of successful breweries that includes long-standing favorites like Yards, Victory, and Dock Street<\/a> to go along with newer, award-winning spots like Tired Hands, Philly might not be the legislative capital of the state, but it\u2019s the beer capital.<\/p>\n

Craft beer bars like Monk\u2019s Caf\u00e9<\/a> were instrumental in introducing a wider variety of beers (in Monk\u2019s case, Belgian-style beers) to the Philly market and paved the way for what is now an indulgence of neighborhood-style pubs dedicated to offering a wide selection of local and regional craft beers on draft.<\/p>\n

\u201cPhiladelphia is the heart of the craft beer movement for the entire East Coast,\u201d said LaBert.<\/p>\n

(READ: Get a Tattoo. Get Free Beer<\/a><\/strong>)<\/p>\n

Up and Coming Area(s) for Pennsylvania Breweries<\/h2>\n

There are two areas to keep an eye on in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

The first is Pittsburgh. Yards<\/a>\u2019 Founder Tom Kehoe said it is one of the fastest growing areas in the state for startup breweries and that the beer industry has played a part in the city\u2019s redevelopment, with breweries like East End Brewing Company<\/a> leading the way. There are now nearly 30 craft breweries in the Steel City. Keep an eye on Grist House Brewery<\/a>, Hitchhiker Brewing<\/a>, Voodoo Brewery<\/a> (barrel-aged beers), and Hop Farm Brewing<\/a> (grows its own hops on the rooftop).<\/p>\n

The second is the more rural south-central part of PA near Harrisburg. LaBerg said its position an hour from Philly and two hours from D.C. and New York provide direct business channels for the agricultural-based area, and breweries are taking advantage. Examples include Zeroday Brewing Company<\/a> in Harrisburg, Troegs in Hershey and Lancaster Brewing Co<\/a> in Lancaster.<\/p>\n

Beers to Know About<\/h2>\n

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Troegs opened its Splinter Cellar in 2016 in its Hershey brewery. (Credit: Troegs)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

When in Pennsylvania, keep an eye out for these brews:<\/p>\n