Getting back into visiting breweries/brewpubs -- need suggestions for PA/NJ/DE/MD

Probably at the far end of your desired range, but I've heard good things about Captain Lawrence in Elmsford, NY.
Also Naked Brewing in Huntingdon Valley. Just about ready to open is Crooked Eye in Hatboro.
If you like Forest and Main's British styles, then The Ship Inn in Milford NJ is a nice drive up the Delaware.
Also, I don't see Cape May on either list, they are worth checking out. Note, the only one that is a brewpub is The Ship, the rest are just breweries with tasting rooms.

 

How is Philadelphia Brewing Co. not on your visited list?

I'd add Saucony Creek in Kutztown to that list- I haven't been yet, but everything I've had from there has been tasty thus far! Spring House in Lancaster for sure, love their stuff... A bit of a stretch of your boundaries, but Burley Oak down in Berlin MD puts out some great stuff as well, and while you're down that way you could hit up Evolution in Salisbury, another good one.

Hmm, let's see, others that would fit your requirements:
Argilla Brewing at Pietro's Pizza, Newark DE- beer's occasionally good, but the food is great
16 Mile, Georgetown DE

 

The only two worth mentioning in Jersey are Kane and Carton. Both are within maybe 10-15 minutes of each other. Carton has some pretty solid beers. Kane has GREAT beers. No food and limited hours for both though. I think Carton is Thurs-Sun for maybe 4-5 hours a day, and Kane is Fri and Sat for like 3-4 hours each day. Kinda tough, but worth the trip. Both are pretty cool places. I think I've heard that Kane lets you bring food in with you.

 

As a Baltimore resident I would have to strongly suggest:

1. Union Craft Brewing
2. Brewer's Art

You could do tap room hours at Union and then dinner at Brewer's ...

 

I ask this, yet I haven't been to the majority of the breweries in the city... shrugs

 

Baldy Beard Brewing, when they open their place in Lancaster PA in April.

 

Another one, which is on my list: The Brewery at Hershey

 

I know it's listed, but I'll just stress how much you need to go to EB&B. Not only is their own beer excellent, they always have one or two excellent guest taps on as well. And the food is really good.

Also, the Iron Hill in Media is worth checking out. They had a killer Berliner Weiss there last time I went. I get the impression that the brewer there has some pretty good chops.

As for glaring omissions, Dock Street in W. Philly. I've had a couple of really outstanding beers of theirs.

 

Barren Hill Tavern is 10 minutes from Earth, and IH Chestnut Hill is between them on the same road.

 

DuClaw in MD, if you are willing to go a little bit out of your range, DC Brau in DC. Also, Rinn Duin in Toms River, NJ opened a few weeks ago. They're doing pretty good representations of UK and Ireland styles. I'm having a hard time coming up with places worth visiting that you haven't.

 

Second for Saucony Creek. Burley oak is also a must in my opinion. 3 hrs max from Philly, small pub but the beer was fantastic.

 

Snitz Creek in Lebanon is a fun stop, as is Joboy's right down the road in Manheim. Both are easy stops right off the Turnpike.

 

- Shawnee Craft near Del. water gap.
- If you have not been to Weyerbacher since they remodeled the taproom, check it out plus they sell in any quantity to go now, not cases only.
- Can easily hit Berwick Brewing, Turkey Hill, Marley's and Old Forge Brewing in a day trip.

 

As for #1 on your list, Al's Pizza Boy, if you go on a Tuesday, it is Troegs Tuesday. $2.50 pints (true 16oz. pours) and $7.50 growler fills of their year round stuff. Can't be beat. Oh yeah and the other stuff on tap is OK too

 

Vault Brewing in Yardly? I havent been their but my buddy says it is pretty good. Also craftbeertemple.com did a video profile on them.