Hershey, PA

23 miles

their instagram account will tell you what cans are available

Troegs is worth a visit

 

I'm not sure it's the best place in the area (just because I haven't been there in a long time), but the Brass Rail is still there and I have some friends who live in Hershey that still like it a lot. They also recommend the Biergarten which is new. It's downtown on Chocolate Ave. IMO you can never go wrong with a trip to Troegs. When I go back there I always try to make it there. They have a fair number of rotating seasonals and Scratch beers, so it's always different. Plus Troegs is a short walk from the park. I live much closer to Pizza Boy and I'm a big fan of theirs. It is a 25-30 min drive from Hershey. Current cans for sale as of yesterday are Magic Under Where?, SSU, SSU mint, and two versions of Hopvision.

 

I'd also like to advise you check out Rotunda Brewing Co. in Annville. Maybe 10 minutes or so down 422 from Troegs/Hershey Park. And yes, Troegs is definitely worth a visit.

 

@guinness77 I forgot to mention there is a bottle shop in the Rotunda building, too.

 

Is the bottle shop still open? I think I heard they are going to close it and expand their brewery.

Breski Beverage in Harrisburg has a great (always expanding) bottle selection. They have everything from single bottles up to cases, sixtels and half barrel kegs. They also have a rotating 10-12 beer draft list available for crowler and growler fills. You can find their inventory and current draft selections on their website or Untappd also.

I don't think Fat Heads is regularly distributed in this area. Federal Taphouse in Harrisburg brings some in for draft, but no wholesaler has distribution rights around here. I think the Warwick Hotel in Hummelstown gets some from time to time also. They generally have a decent tap list, usually featuring a Tired Hands beer or two, and very good food. I would recommend it for dinner.

 

Absolutely go to Troegs if you are in Hershey and have any kind of time, particularly if you've never been. The new parking lot expansion should be done soon if it isn't already, so that should quiet some people down out in the wild.

Pizza Boy is about 30-35 minutes west of Hershey. Not sure where you're coming from so that might be right on your way or a bit out of it.

Haven't been to the Rail in a while but I did hear that they did some renovations with the law changes. They used to be one of, if not the only game in town a few years back, which helped me put up with some high pricing and out of date bottles, but options have broadened.

Where are you coming from? Might help if you can hit something on your way in to (but still a bit out of) town or on your way back home.

 

If you are dead set on getting some Fat Heads, it is distributed in Southeastern PA. So if you are taking I-78, you could detour south, there are some places about 10 miles south of Allentown/Bethlehem that have their beer. https://www.beermenus.com/beers/54773-fat-head-s-head-hunter-ipa

Or you could take 202 South from New Jersey, swing through the area then get on the PA Turnpike at Plymouth Meeting, going west to Hershey.

Either way that'd be a significant detour.

 

I am not quite sure why people are saying Troeg's is a must-hit, but if you are in Hershey---presumably for Chocolate World or Hershey Park--- then you might as well go.

I was there yesterday and would recommend the lime zest gose, but otherwise, I wouldn't say there are any must-try beers.

 

Now I am not entirely sure. I also did hear they were considering closing it to expand, but I do not know if they have yet.

 

Most likely people have different, more positive opinions of the place than you do. That's my guess as to why. That gose was really tasty. They indicated they bought more tequila barrels, so hopefully it comes around again.

 

Was just in Hersehy for a concert a couple weeks ago. The Biergarten was a cool little spot with huge draft/bottle list and decent bar food menu (think tacos, sandwiches, flatbreads). I had a flatbread and enjoyed it.

Also went to Troegs for the first time and agree that its a must visit. Just the overall experience (location, building, vibe, food, outdoor seating options, not to mention lots of good beers to choose from) makes it worth it. None of the beers blew me away, but I enjoyed all that I tried (most of what were on tap) and had a great time there just in general.

 

Yes, it's the sum of the parts that makes Troegs one of my favorite stops.

My last trip in the vicinity, I happened to come through Lebanon and stopped at Snitz Creek. Nice beers, good bar food with local ingredients, casual atmosphere. I'd stop there again. The only place I know where I can get a burger with Lebanon bologna on it.

 

All beer aside, go get food at A&M Pizza (super close to the park), their 'special' cheesesteak is one of the best I've ever had. And if you do happen to be in/near Lebanon, Shuey's Pretzels is nirvana. Saturday they do soft pretzels also (during the week just hard pretzels), the large soft puts all others to shame. The hard pretzels also have no comparable pretzel out there.

 

That's where Snitz Creek gets theirs. They also use Dieffenbach's potato chips which I was almost as excited about as the beer.

 

I'd vote for at least one meal at Troegs. Their food is really fantastic.

I've literally never heard of A&M, unless I'm blanking on what A&M stands for. I'll have to check it out.

One other place that could check both beer and food boxes in a potentially less hectic atmosphere is the Warwick Hotel in Hummelstown. Their tap list can range from ho-hum to impressive, but their food is solid and reasonably priced. Bottle prices there are so laughable, though. Smoked is in Hershey and is similar to The Warwick in terms of tap list and food.

 

I pretty much agree with everything in this thread already. The only place I would add is Boneshire Brew Works which is right up the road from Hershey, it is only 5-10min from the park, and has been making some solid beers since opening. They also have a solid BBQ "truck" there most days.

 

Seconding Boneshire. They're only a few minutes past Hummelstown and are off to a solid start. Haven't eaten there, though.