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I'm Coming Back! - West/Central PA, Western NY

Discussion in 'US: Mid-Atlantic' started by tdm168, Jan 4, 2014.

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  1. tdm168

    tdm168 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,348) Aug 10, 2010 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    After being in NC for the last 7 years, my wife wants to return to PA. After the birth of our daughter, the holidays, and now the birth of her niece, she wants to be closer to family (Ridgway, PA). I have been surrounded by great beer since moving to NC. There are great bars, bottle shops, and breweries. I can mix six packs, buy beer at gas stations and grocery stores, etc. It's been great. Since I am willing to consider my wife's desire to move closer to home, I am hoping that we can move somewhere that has something for me. Closer to home (Ridgway) is about a 3-4 hour radius meaning Buffalo/Rochester in the north, Pittsburgh/MD/WVA in the south, and Harrisburg/Hershey/York in the east.

    What I am hoping you guys can help me with is the following:
    1. Is there anything you like/dislike about your area? Good bottleshops or breweries?
    2. In PA, have the laws changed or do beer laws still suck, and am I going to be forced to buy by the case unless I live in a city area with more selection?
    3. I'm a math teacher so if you know of any vacancies in your area help a brother out!!!
    4. If we finally take the plunge and move closer to family, please welcome me warmly!

    Thank you! I really appreciate all that you may be able to offer!

    Tom
     
    #1 tdm168, Jan 4, 2014
  2. BeerIsland

    BeerIsland Savant (1,229) Feb 9, 2003 Pennsylvania

    Tom,
    Unfortunately, the area immediately around Ridgeway is a bit of a beer desert. Central Susquehanna Valley is a good bet and there is lots of action near Rte 80. Pittsburgh is closer and real good but a slower drive.
     
    #2 BeerIsland, Jan 4, 2014
  3. tdm168

    tdm168 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,348) Aug 10, 2010 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Oh I know Ridgway is a desert. It's gross almost. So is the immediate area as far as I can tell like St. Marys, Dubois, Clearfield, Bradford, etc. I'm hoping to find some gems somewhere.

    Where about on 80? I'm very familiar with that interstate. Pittsburgh is also a possibility but my wife would probably prefer to live outside the city.
     
    #3 tdm168, Jan 4, 2014
  4. BeerIsland

    BeerIsland Savant (1,229) Feb 9, 2003 Pennsylvania

    Tom,

    There is an enormous amount of activity in Pittsburgh right now but, as I live most of the ways across the state, I'm not up on the details. I've attached the links to two pretty useful beer maps; you can see that from State College east, things pick up considerably. SC is home to some pretty solid breweries and some excellent tappies and bottle shops and is reasonably close to your target area. Northwest PA is another hot spot with a good number of well established quality makers. http://www.brewingnews.com/webpdfs/MABN/MABN_Pennsylvania.pdf and http://www.brewingnews.com/webpdfs/GLBN/GLBN_Pennsylvania.pdf. Of course, Ridgeway is right near Straubs; a crafty, if not craft, brewer that is coming out with some more innovative brews. Denny's Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield maintains some pretty good taps.

    Have Fun ! - Beer Island
     
    #4 BeerIsland, Jan 4, 2014
  5. SBALDWIN

    SBALDWIN Zealot (590) Feb 27, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Harrisburg York area is booming now. With Lancaster a short distance. Lots of schools also for jobs.
     
    #5 SBALDWIN, Jan 4, 2014
    jbaker67 likes this.
  6. Ozzylizard

    Ozzylizard Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,347) Oct 5, 2013 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Lots of luck! Straubies is still functioning and the beer scene in Erie is slooowly picking up. That northern tier is pretty desolate with PBR style brewskies still predominating. Brew pubs are slowly blossoming around the state in general and bottle shops are opening. Some grocery stores now sell beer (Wegman's, Giant eagle, etc) depending on the store and area. Most distributors stock some craft beers, but selection varies depending on who distributes to the distributor. Southern Tier (Lakewood, NY, burb of Jamestown) is pretty much stocked by everyone, as are selections of Sierra Nevada, Founders, Great Lakes, Boulder, Shiner, Victory, ubiquitous Sam Adams, etc. at least the flagship beers. Good luck with the job since even the universities are reducing staff - turning out too many teachers for too few jobs.
     
    #6 Ozzylizard, Jan 4, 2014
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