11 Local, Craft Breweries Bridge the Gap From NEPA’s Rural Southwest to its Busy Southern Pocono Mountains
This section of the Brewer’s Loop stretches over 110 miles – none of it on boring interstates or turnpikes. We’re heading west to east through Columbia, Schuylkill, Carbon and Monroe Counties, and we’re taking the scenic route. Rolling green hillsides connect one family farm to the next – some nearly as old as the Commonwealth itself. America’s lager was born here (and I don’t even have to say the name, do I?).
Let’s go tip a few along The Southern Reach, shall we?
This is why long weekends were invented
It all begins with an odd mixture of rural and hip in a bustling Bloomsburg beer stop. Then, the route dips southward for a stretch to Pottsville. Here we find America’s oldest brewery alongside a couple of NEPA’s youngest. After a quick zig, we zag north for a double stop at a pair of popular Tamaqua beer shops and pop in for a pint in Lehighton. Of course, we can’t pass up iconic Jim Thorpe. And, finally, we’re Poconos bound. Here, we hook up with a cluster of three local favorites in three distinct towns.
That’s a long road, and a lot of beer. Luckily, each stop also offers several to go options. With growlers, crowlers, cans and bottles, you can easily grab your favorite and move on down the road.
Get out there and enjoy some local beer.
There are always 13 fresh beers on tap at this popular Bloomsburg hotspot. But don’t worry, there’s more than enough delicious food on the menu to pair with tasty IPAs and Porters and an awesome, rotating seasonal selection.
Sample your way through an impressive 12-beer tap list at this artistic, industrial nanobrewery on Centre Street in Downtown Pottsville. Guests are also encouraged to BYOF (Bring Your Own Food).
If you’ve been around for nearly 200 years, you must be doing something right. This brewery has remained the beating heart of Pottsville since 1829. They were then and still are considered the king of American lager. There’s no better place to lose yourself in the brewing history of NEPA.
This neighborhood nano-brewery in Tamaqua’s Historic District celebrates the region’s hard coal heritage one beer at a time. The brewpub features an authentic Oktoberfest vibe, including real tables imported from the famous German festival. It’s just simple, blue-collar beer at its best.
At this blue-collar brewery and tasting room, every beer is pulled directly from the serving tank. And every sip embodies the rough and tumble spirit of Tamaqua. You’ll always find innovative, fresh cold beers on tap at their comfy tasting room.
This veteran-owned craft brewery in Lehighton operates a popular taproom out of Carbon County neighbor, Insurrection Distillery. They also distribute to many local restaurants and bottle shops. Keep an eye out for their distinct stubby bottles.
The focus is on hand-crafted, high-quality, low ABV lagers and ales at this family-run brewhouse in historic Jim Thorpe. Stop by the comfortably rustic taproom for a liter after an afternoon on the town, or just pop in for a 6-pack to go.
Get cozy in this industrial era mansion-turned brewhouse in iconic Jim Thorpe. Grab a comfy seat in the bar room or elegant parlor room and cruise through the tap list from lager to IPA, light to dark, you name it, it’s brewery-fresh.
The stunning mountaintop setting and the incredible views are enough to warrant a trip to this Stroudsburg winery and brewery. It just happens to be a bonus that they also make delicious beer and wine. The brewery also offers bottled 6-packs to go.
A Pocono favorite since the mid-90s, this brewery and restaurant has almost too much fun making great beer and food. There is also a spacious Beer Garden and mini wiffle ball stadium. Check out their popular tasting room located inside The Crossings Premium Outlets.
There’s just as much emphasis on the delicious food as there is on craft beer at this family run southern Pocono brewery and restaurant. Pair any one of their incredible beers with an oak-wood fired pizza. PBC also features an extensive selection of 6-packs to go.
Article Updated from its Original Version Published on 9/7/2020.
