Welcome to THEbreweryauthority's comprehensive list of the Top 10 Pennsylvania breweries! Since PA is our home state and we have been to almost every brewery we think we know a thing or two about the brewery scene here. This list takes a number of different factors into consideration and not just beer quality. Basically we are going to let you know which breweries you will have the absolute best experience at. This includes the physical venue itself and unique attributes that set the brewery apart from others. Make sure to let us know if you agree or disagree on our Instagram!
#10 Boxcar Brew Works, DuBois
Boxcar Brew Works may be one of the most UNDERRATED brewery destinations in all of PA. Sure, there's lots of train themed breweries but when do you get the chance to actually drink IN A TRAIN?? Boxcar features a few train cars lumped together with wooden decks connecting it all. Is this what it was like when you drank at a bar on a train in the wild west?? I'll just pretend it is.
It's a shame Boxcar isn't located near Pittsburgh or Philadelphia because people would be talking about this place nonstop. Not only is the venue amazing and the beer top notch but there are multiple other business in the same complex. And YES they are also in train cars. Order a pizza from next door. You won't be disappointed. And eat it on one of the authentic railway pushcarts! When you are doing the long track across I80 please stop Boxcar Brew Works!!
#9 Dancing Gnome, Pittsburgh
Dancing Gnome has recently opened up a bigger and better taproom down the street from their original location. Sure the old place was great but this new spot launches Dancing Gnome into the Top 10. Actually, the quality of their hazy IPAs and hand crafted lagers may have gotten Dancing Gnome into the Top 10 anyway! Not many other breweries in PA can compete with their unbelievably delicious beers and now you may actually get a seat when you visit the brewery.
This bright, naturally lit taproom is made to be visited during a Saturday afternoon. The wide open eggshell painted taproom really shines and the indoor plants give it an atmosphere like none other. There are many must visit breweries in Pittsburgh and Dancing Gnome is certainly one of them.
#8 Therapy Brewing, Montoursville
Therapy Brewing truly lives up to its name because there's nothing but pure Therapy here! The taproom isn't the star here. I wouldn't recommend even considering sitting inside because the real attraction is the scenery. The views of the majestic mountains, rolling pastures, and even the brewery itself are postcards in the making. During the pandemic they let you drink in the parking lot or sit in the fields and I hope they still allow that. They would be nuts to stop that as this is where you become one with nature. You can also sit on their wrap around deck attached to the brewery which offers all the same views.
As for the beer....pure Therapy as well! Sip on their unique versions of ipas, amber ales, rye beer, white stouts, and so much more. Your taste buds will have no idea what's going on but they will love it. Hidden away in the Central PA mountains, Therapy Brewing is a destination brewery that all must experience.
#7 Fourscore Beer Co, Gettysburg
Fourscore Brewing has pretty much everything you can ask for in a brewery. Brewery enthusiasts will be drawn to this place as they drive by simply because it "looks" like a brewery. The type of brewery you know is amazing before you take your first sip. From the charcoal paint scheme clashing with their logo to the green umbrellas and incandescent light strands.
Walk inside and you are greeted by a simple yet effective taproom and a ridiculously easy beer and food ordering system. The beers at Fourscore are the main event here followed closely by the food. Some may argue they have the best fruited sours in PA with their Jahmba series. In my opinion they are the best. HOWEVER...it's not just fruit bombs. Go on a Sunday and get a $3 side pull from their Czech lager menu. Four side pull beers?! Awesome. Their hazy ipas hit the spot and almost every other kind of beer. Bring your Coors Light drinkin dad cuz they got a beer for him.
Short and simple....food is almost as good as the beer. Get the fries! And in a town like Gettysburg there's so much else to do. Go for lunch, check out Little Round Top and Devils Den and come back for dinner. DO IT!
#6 Troegs, Hershey
Troegs may be THE brewery destination of PA in most people's eyes. Every Pennsylvania resident has heard of Troegs and probably drank some of their popular beers. They opened this massive structure about a decade ago which catapulted them from a regional brewery to an east coast powerhouse.
Troegs has one of the most popular tours in all of the state. The in depth tour takes you behind the scenes, provides samples of barley to chew on, samples taken right from the fermenters, and of course free beer! The tour even takes you on a catwalk overlooking the taproom!!
The expansive taproom has all their flagships, seasonals, and taproom only experimentals. You may be the first to try a Troegs beer that will one day be in coolers everywhere! Not just ipas here...from their imperial amber (Double Nugget Nectar) and their famous Christmas beer (Mad Elf) this place have something for everyone.
Don't forget the gourmet gastropub style food! And the huge gift shop is a testament to the destination brewery. With a prime location next to the equally as famous Hershey Park there's no reason not to stop.
#5 Yuengling, Pottsville
Yuengling needs no introduction. Many may not consider them a craft brewery, but there is no contesting the fact that Yuengling is one of the premier destination breweries in the country. The brewery tour is so in depth and so unique that non beer drinkers will love it.
This FREE tour starts in the underground caves where beers were lagered in the pre refrigeration days. Wind your way through the ancient brewery up narrow steps and look down on the massive kettles. They don't make breweries like this any more. Walk into the canning/bottling line (make sure to go during work hours) and see boxes and cans running along the intricate assembly line. Head back through the machine shop and the old bar where they filmed commercials.
After the tour head on over the the old ice cream shop they made during prohibition where you get you FREE SAMPLES! They also have a large gift shop and a few more artifacts to check out.
The Yuengling experience isn't about the beer. It's about the history of America's oldest brewery. This is a cathedral to beer and in many ways a museum of beer history. Seeing how preprohibiton beer was made is something all beer lovers must experience. Who knows....you may even meet Dick Yuengling (we did.)
#4 The Church Brew Works, Pittsburgh
Church Brew Works is one of the original craft beer destinations since the mid 90s when they took over this formal church and turned into a (literal) cathedral of beer. Sure, there's many breweries that now occupy a church, but back then this was probably considered sacrilegious. Beer in a church?!
Fast forward to modern day and Church Brew Works is still an awe inspiring place with the brew tanks up on the altar and the stained glass windows that still remain. Possibly one of the most photogenic breweries for all us untappd-ers.
Church Brew Works paved the way for many other creative brewery/restaurant spaces and is still considered the best in a biz for many. This is the first spot in Pittsburgh for many people when they travel here. Words don't really do this place justice....just look at the pictures! If you're ever in Pittsburgh make some time for Church Brew Works. You will not be disappointed!
#3 Imprint Beer Co, Hatfield
Imprint may not be the prettiest of the breweries on this list. This place is the Number 3 destination mainly because of the amazing quality of their beers. Imprint is widely known for their heavily fruited sours (Schmoojee series being the most famous) but also has a full menu of underrated ipas and pastry stouts. Not just quality here....but QUANTITY too. Dozens of mouth watering brews to try at the brewery and to take home!
They recently busted down some walls to make more taproom space and thank God they did because boy was it tight in there on a busy Saturday. Now there's plenty of space with some food truck options making it even easier to spend a whole afternoon there trying all the beers.
Like I stated earlier, Imprint does not have they prettiest venue. A bland and basic industrial park setting with tables set up in a practical fashion. However, depending on your preferences Imprint may have the best beer in the state. These are full flavor, high calorie beers. If those aren't your style then Imprint just isn't for you. But for us Imprint Beer Company is a MUST VISIT DESTINATION!
#2 Rusty Rail Brewing, Mifflinburg
Rusty Rail Brewing is the definition of a destination brewery. Being in a small town like Mifflinburg with not much else to do it kind of has to be! This old red brick building was a few things throughout history but is mostly known as a carriage manufacturer. The present day owners spared no expense making the brewery the envy of the beer world!
Why is this such a destination? Well you can actually stay overnight here in one of their rooms! Looking to get married? Rusty Rail serves as the premier wedding venue in the area. Who wouldn't want to get married in a brewery?? Not to mention events and live music to go along with all the regular activities that go along with a brewery.
The picturesque exterior is a sight to behold. Antique cars and mini steam engines are just some of the decor adorning the parking lot and amazing patio area. Once inside you will feel like you're in a lodge in the middle of Montana with high wooden beams, taxidermy, and 19th century style bar. Look up and check out some of the painted murals that feature some of the local history. Look through the glass windows and you will see the brewhouse. Head upstairs where there is another bar with even more taxidermy. With an array of table games, a full food menu, and many different types of beers it's no wonder Rusty Rail is considered such a destination. You can easily spend not only a day here, but an entire weekend!
Do yourself a favor and make the effort to get to Rusty Rail Brewing! You won't be disappointed.
#1 Hidden River Brewing, Douglassville
Our Top 10 Brewery List of Pennsylvania ends with a brewery that has it all. Hidden River has one of the most unique taproom venues and possibly the best beer (possibly most underrated as well) in all of PA. If this brewery was closer to Philly or in Pittsburgh you would hear much more about it.
The brewery resides in a 300 year old lodge called the Brinton Lodge. This prerevolutionary building was once home to a manufacturer of ammunition during the War of 1812, was a stop on the underground railroad, and was a hotel for the rich and famous! Drinking here is like drinking in the haunted mansion....because you are literally drinking in a haunted mansion. Ghost tours are available! There are 3 bars and several different rooms that all have a unique theme. Rustic lodge, library, hay barn, and an intricate deck outside. Words can't describe the atmosphere!
The beer hits the spot. The haziest ipas, foeder aged lagers, saisons, and barrel aged stouts are just some of Hidden Rivers offerings. For beer alone this place should be on everyone's top 10....add the historical venue and you have the perfect brewery! Hungry? The kitchen is just the cherry on top.
From wherever you are you NEED to get to this destination brewery and all the destination breweries on this list. Agree? Disagree? Let us know. Thanks for reading!!
Cheers
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