3 Breweries of Lancaster, PA

Escaping from Maryland, we headed to the historic city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania to visit 3 brewing companies: Spring House,  Lancaster, and Wacker. For me, Lancaster brings thoughts of rich farmland with Amish buggies. Lancaster City, a lively town of about 60,000 people, is a lot more than just that. I love their Central Market, a terrific farmers’ market, which was closed during our stay.  Pennsylvania’s only U.S. President, James Buchanan, lived and worked in Lancaster. His historic home,  Wheatland, is worth a visit. Lancaster’s German heritage helped establish over 14 breweries years ago.Then prohibition hit. Today, the beer scene is bustling.  Currently, there are 3 breweries in the city, all within walking distance of each other.

Taproom Spring House

On a quiet afternoon, we entered the Halloween themed Taproom Spring House, hungry and wanting a beer. Only a few people sat in the taproom – we missed the lunch crowd.  The taproom was created because of the demand at the nearby Spring House Brewery. The Taproom has its own 1-barrel system on the premises.

I order the Reuben Sandwich, which was wonderful. The beers were nearly as good:

• Seven Gates Pale Ale – Sweet nose. Juicy Citrus hop taste. Their flagship & delicious!
• Lexicon Devil Grapefruit Pale Ale – Nice grapefruit nose. Fruity taste.
• The Astounding She-Monster Mango I.P.A. – IPA blended with mango. Not too sweet, well balanced beer.
• Easter Egg Nog Stout– At first, it tastes like root beer. Later I tasted the egg nog. An unusual beer.
• Big Gruesome Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout – I somehow expected a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup or a Sweet Baby Jesus (DuClaw). This was very different and much smoother. It is a Chocolate peanut butter stout with a peanut butter nose, smooth

I am guessing that all their pale ales used Seven Gates as their base — all consistently tasty. The other beers I tried were fun and novel, very experimental. I relished my first experience with the enthusiastic Lancaster craft beer community. The obvious pride in their Lancaster (and Pennsylvania) beers proved a common theme throughout the day.

I asked for walking directions to Lancaster Brewing. Despite recommendations for Uber, I headed out on foot.

Lancaster Brewing Company

I hiked to Lancaster Brewing Company, maybe a 20-minute walk. This is a long-time Lancaster brewer. The Lancaster Malt Brewing set up at that location in 1995.

I was still full from lunch at the Spring House, so I stayed away from the food. I ordered a flight of 6:

• Double Chocolate Milk Stout – Very sweet stout with coffee and cocoa flavors. Astringent medicinal finish
• Bobbly Head Apple Ale – Tastes like a cider. I can’t taste the “very small amount of Tettnang hops”
• Boss Hog – Grapefruit nose, Juicy citrus flavor. Honey sweet malt blended with hop flavors. Well done! (a double IPA)
• Fest Beer Amber Lager – Sweet amber, honey nose with apple/rose taste. Light & drinkable
• Milk Stout – Creamy stout, coffee & oat(maybe)? Sweet finish
• Celtic Rose – Meh

All Lancaster Brewing’s beers were well-made but less daring than Spring House’s. The star of my flight was the Boss Hog double IPA. Unfortunately, I did not try any of their Hop Project series – a missed opportunity.

This brewery had the feel of a tavern, with several people eating. Young and old regulars kept the place busy, playing pinball, having growlers filled and talking among themselves and the staff. I had a long talk with a local, again hearing the pride in his voice as we discussed Pennsylvania beers. I was surprised he had never heard of or tried any Maryland beers like Flying Dog or Heavy Seas.

Wacker Brewing Company

I should have “Ubered” to Wacker but instead, made the long walk. The thin crowd mostly sat around the bar. I mentioned this was my first time to Wacker and I was from Maryland. Expecting the young locals to keep to themselves, I was surprised to be suddenly involved in a group discussion suggesting where to eat dinner, what beers to drink and a good place to hear some music. The warm welcome I received was matched by the pride of their local brewery’s beers. I ordered a sample of 5 beers.

• Wacker’s German Pale Ale – Typical Kölsch, light yellow. slight spicy sweetness. Sparkling and refreshing.
• Irish Extra Stout – Very dry with cocoa
• Märzen – Very clean, mild for the style.
• Irish Redish – A malty red, caramelly sweet.
• American Strong Ale – This one really stood out. Nice hop character. 7.4% ABV.

I should not have been surprised at the traditional taste of beers considering the brewery’s German heritage. For me, the Kölsch and American Strong Ale were my favorites.

Wacker was one of the original breweries with roots dating back to 1853. It remained open until 1956. In 2014, Wacker Brewery is “reborn”.

Besides the tasting room, Wacker beer can be found in some of the Lancaster restaurants and bars. Wacker also shares space with the Thistle Finch Distillery (see the picture above).

Cheers!

Warren