Driving from Chicago to Philly: What Breweries should I hit?

Victory, right off the Turnpike.

 

Well, since you've already hit the top breweries in West Michigan, as well as Ohio's jewel Great Lakes, my suggestion would be for a lesser-known, but equally impressive Cleveland-area brewery called Fat Heads. They make an award winning IPA called Headhunter that is a true beauty.

 

Fat Heads is awesome. DFH is in DE and close too.

 

Troegs really isn't that far out of the way and is really an awesome brewery. I was there about a week ago and definitely recommend if you have never been there. Also, if you go, go hungry. The "snack bar" is amazing.

 

What major highways will you be taking? If you are crossing on 80 you could drop down to North Country in slippery Rock its right off of 79 about 30-40 min from 80. http://www.northcountrybrewing.com/welcome.htm Depending on the day you could hit Sprague farm in Venango http://www.sleepingchainsaw.com/brands.htm Voodoo isn't very far from there as well. Are you planning on taking 2 days to do the trip? You could drive to western PA hit the breweries there then stop in Reading at Spring House.

 

Spring House is Lancaster, not Reading. 30 minutes off the turnpike.

Edit: And agree that if you have the time pop off the turnpike and hit Troegs.

 

Some good suggestions in here so far, most a good 20-40min off the highways. How about a couple right off the highways. If you are taking the turnpike, Stoudt's and St. Boniface are right off the first Reading exit, about 5min and 10-15min on and off for both. A few more a little further off some of the exits as well. If you take I80, Turkey Hill and Marley's are in Bloomsburg and Berwick Brewing is in Berwick, all are less than 10min on and off. They all make some decent beers.

 

Since you're starting in Chicago, I assume that you've already Ben to Goose Island and Two Brothers. You might wanna try Columbus Brewing, here in Ohio. They have some tasty brews.

 

I hear Stoudts is pretty cool. That's on my list of places to visit.
Troegs is awesome. There's also a Fat Heads in Pittsburgh. The food & beers are excellent.

 

Tired Hands: Don't get full pours. Buy $1.50 to $2.50 4oz pours and experience the entire draft list. Also, get a panini or two.
Victory: You did it wrong the first two times and their menu is always changing. Get 4oz sample pours for $1.50 to $3.50 and try all of the lagers. That's what Bill's passion is and it shows.
SpringHouse: If you skip this, you lose.
East End: See SpringHouse.

 

Well, it honestly depends on which way you take. Fat Heads is a fantastic brewery and is a great suggestion. If you are taking I-70, the suggestion for Columbus Brewing is also good. Columbus makes, IMHO, the best hoppy beers in America, between their IPA, Bodhi DIPA, and Creeper. Also in Columbus is Seventh Son, which has been doing some nice stuff. Just off 70 in Buckeye Lake is Buckeye Lake Brewery, and they make very solid, if not anything rare or super special. Their Irish is extremely drinkable, as is their stout. Also near Buckeye Lake in Heath is Homestead, which just opened up not too long ago. They're the only one I don't know a lot about, but that said, they've been bottling their Pale Ale and IPA and selling it in Columbus, so if you do stop in any shops in Columbus, you may be able to find it while there. Further east just off I-70 is Weasel Boy. We will have several BA beers on tap the week of Thanksgiving, including Barrel Aged Brown Stoat Stout, Bourbon Barrel Anastasia (2012 GABF Gold Medal in RIS), Bourbon Barrel Rauch Wiesel Smoked Porter, as well as the Sour Brown Ale with Concord Grapes. We'll also have the regular Rauch Wiesel Smoked Porter, Snow Ermine Holiday Ale (Blackfooted Porter with Ohio honey, vanilla beans, and aged on cocoa nibs), and Bitter Sable Imperial Black IPA.

Regardless of where you stop, most likely you'll be pretty happy with your choices

Cheers,
Kef

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Tired Hands is a must. Their food is good too.
Get off I-80 at exit 161 and get onto (99-26-144) to 322 to Harrisburg, then 283 to route 30. This will put you to Victory also.

 

Troegs in Hershey, PA.
Sly Fox in Phoenixville.

Both great breweries about 15 mins off I-76E.

 

There are some awesome beer bars in Philly. You can usually find cigar city, Russian river and sometimes hill farmstead. Check out phillytapfinder.com and click on "on tap"

 

While fatheads head hunter is awesome, try their hopportunity knocks. It's a great ipa and I personally like it more then head hunter.

 

Along 80 you could try Berwick Brewing nothing big but the beers are good, around MM241 on 80. If you take the PA Turnpike along the south Troegs in Hershey, and Victory in Downingtown. If you want to tour a little further you can go North a bit from cleaveland [where Fatheads and Brew Kettle are] and hit Southern Tier and Ithaca Brewing then down to Philly. You have to watch when they are open though so you aren't disappointed by stopping at a closed place.

 

Hit up pizza boy in harrisburg. GREAT brewery.