Breweries/beers I should check out

Pizza Boy is well worth the minimal effort, if it wasn't on your list. It's a must-visit for me.

 

What about the larger breweries in Hershey?

If you're going to be right there, don't forget about Troegs.

 

Plan Troegs to be a lunch stop, they have great food.

Also, I'm a bit anal and a dork when it comes to brewery tours so I have a spreadsheet of PA that my buddies and I did a few years back. Just pm me if you want it.

 

There are small breweries in Hershey? Anyway, definitely hit Troegs and Victory., and I would nominate Stoudt's, especially if you like tradional German lagers.

 

Definitely Troegs and Pizza Boy if you can swing it. Also, I'll throw out the obligatory Max's in Baltimore.

 

If you have time, and want a history lesson, Yuengling

 

Near Baltimore hit Heavy Seas, Jailbreak (in Laurel, MD brewer was from Dogfish), and try Duclaw. There are a few Duclaw locations.

 

I'm just confused because as far as I know Troegs is the only brewery in Hershey. I thought maybe you knew some start ups I missed. I later realized that you might just be looking at a larger area including Harrisburg and/or Lancaster, which would include a bunch of smaller brewpubs.

Anyway, have a terrific trip.

 

There is one small brewery near Hershey, in Middletown, "The Brewery at Hershey" which is on the same property as the Vineyard at Hershey. I went there for the first time around Thanksgiving and wasn't impressed (with either the brewery or winery), by the offerings (both in terms of taste and price). They did offer free very salty popcorn. Know of others who have had the same impression.

 

I've never been but Moo-Duck is in Elizabethtown, which isn't too far from Hershey. And Gunpowder Falls, which does traditional German style beers, would be on your way from Hershey to Baltimore.

Lancaster Brewing has a satellite in Harrisburg and there is Appalachian brewing there too.

 

Union in Baltimore and DC Brau in Washington.

 

Tired Hands is too close (and reportedly too good) to Victory to not stop, if you already have the latter on your list.

Troegs is awesome in so many ways, but less so if there are no attractive Scratches on and you're already familiar with their staples (I love Troegs--going there Monday, but if you're pressed for time, you gots to prioritize). Pizza Boy (Al's in Carlisle), with 100 beers on tap is a great place to drink good beer while being treated like shit. Just the worst service and no samples/flights. Federal Taphouse (Harrisburg) is nearish and boasts 100 beers as well, but they don't brew their own.

In DC, BlueJacket sits in the shadow of Nats stadium and, though only around since 2013, has a solid draft list, including sours.

Hope this helps; cheers.

 

+1 on the Bluejacket and they have some good food as well. If you have time check out DC Brau but the two aren't exactly close to one another

 

Al's is in Enola not Carlisle, about a twenty minute difference. And LOL at the rest, I am not even going to start this fight again.

 

Enola and Carlisle are both such megacities, I mixed them up--apologies. And their exact location is definitely the most germane part of my post and salient to the conversation. Thanks.

 

Wasn't aiming to start a "fight;" just to answer the OP's question with my personal suggestions. If you disagree, maybe he'd like to hear yours as well.

 

+1 to pizza boy. I live pretty close but have only been there a handful of times but it's always great. I've seen talk of the poor service but have not seen it. The only thing in that sense I've seen is subjective (it doesn't bother me but I can see how it would some others) is that sometimes the employees can be kinda short with you while trying to deal with crowds. Whatever.

I'll throw this one out there: liquid hero in york. Not far out of your way going from hershey towards Baltimore. The beers are ok, nothing great, but imo not terrible, especially compared to some of the ratings. It's small, and has limited hours, but I like it because you can easily have a conversation there and the staff are some really cool guys from my experience talking to them.

Mudhook is also in york and despite living there I've not been there, but I've heard it's simply not that good. But if you're stopping in town and want to hit more places, it'll be no more than an extra 5 minutes out of your way.