Somewhere near the edge of the Southern Reach section of the DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop, we rolled over dormant, wind-swept acres along I-80 and into Marley’s Brewery & Grille.

We headed west toward Bloomsburg on an overcast Thursday in November. The sun broke through in fits, but proved otherwise futile against a fortuitous chill. Sure, we have specific dates for the changing of seasons. But that’s just for us – simple reminders to create a shift in the human mind toward preparedness for harsher weather, for longer bouts of dark. The wind has little regard for measured time. The rolling hills along I-80 – some left for winter foraging and others lying in poetic repose, dually await the killing frost. Clouds form and block out the sun. And the air temperature drops irrespective of our incessant reminding about solstices.

It’s about time we head inside (for like a few months)

And like that, with this first cold day of the season and the long, gray fingers of winter stretching themselves across NEPA’s rural reaches, that perennial query – How long will autumn last this year? – had been answered. It was now time to button up the yard, to pull out the shovels and open the coat closet. It was time to seek out those familiar, warm places and to allow yourself a little extra time inside by the fire, by the soft glow of the television, in the comfiest sweater with a soul-warming beverage by your side.

And that’s precisely what we did at this cozy Irish brewpub on Bloomsburg’s eastern outskirts that they call Marley’s Brewery & Grille.

The Brewery

A peak behind the curtain

The brewhouse at Marley’s is situated in a quiet back corner of the building. Just beyond the bar and dining room, through the kitchen, around a few corners, you’ll find a quiet brewer at work in his quiet space. It’s sterile. White walls rise to a white ceiling. Between, the familiar machinery of beer shines in contrast. Daylight pours into the room from a wall of east-facing windows. It seems to electrify the tangles of pipes and hoses. Steel brew tanks and boil kettles bounce the clean whiteness of the walls and worn concrete floor about the room like a hall of mirrors. The day’s task spills out in the form of tools resting on carts, on shelves and in places they seem to not belong, but belong all the same.

In all its simplicity and singularity, the brewhouse at Marley’s exists as a monument to consistency – by far the most critical ingredient of good beer.

The Taproom

That warm & fuzzy feeling

The taproom at Marley’s Brewery & Grille, though quite expansive, serves up the cozy vibes of an old countryside pub. A long, wood bar zig zags its way from the front to the back of the room. Fire clay tiles on the floor work with the copper-hued tin ceiling to lend an iron ochre tint of warmth to the eye. It’s all reflected by polished natural wood tones throughout from floor to ceiling. And in all things, there is beer – the star of the show. From growlers filled with hops and grains to bone-shaped flight boards hanging from the walls, there’s a not-so-subtle hint here that a few things will be expected of you – drink delicious beer, make new friends, be happy.

A family-friendly brewpub

While there’s a clear divide between the dining room and the taproom side of things at Marley’s, that same effervescent warmth keeps it all tied together. Of course, the glowing flames of the centrally-displayed brick oven might also have something to do with that. Just beyond the window wall separating the bar from the dining space, you’ll find comfy, private booths and tables. The dark wood tones and pub feel carry over into the dining room via polished and boot scuffed floors and wainscoting. Daylight blasts through a south-facing wall of windows. And, if you’re here to catch a bit of the game with dinner, you’ll be pard-pressed to find a spot where you can’t see one of the many TVs.

In the warmer months, Marley’s taproom and dining space spills out onto an expansive patio.

The Beer

All the classics with a hint of measured experimentation

Since 2011, Marley’s Bewery & Grille has staked its reputation on simple, true-to-form classics. Their lagers are familiar. The IPAs and other ales deliver exactly where you need them to when it comes to flavor, but, at the same time, they’re distinctly and consistently Marley’s. Sure, you’re going to find that delightful seasonal beer, or the funky Saison or even something with a little peanut butter in it, but its experimentation built on tried-and-true foundational beers. From the lighter side to the darker, heavier end of the tap list, the brewer reveals both a mastery over process and a respect for quality ingredients.

And we started where we always do, with a lineup of light to heavy. Of course, we saved the decorated, award-winner for the very end.

They’re not afraid to mix it up

The lightest offering on the board was the locally-popular Townie Lager. At 4.7%, this crisp, American style lager drinks about as smooth as a beer can get with bright floral notes and a punchy carbonation. From there, the Pigeon Falls Pilsner at 5.3% drew on traditional European inspiration with an herbal backdrop and a perfectly balanced bitterness.

The delightfully complex Panther Porter was our next stop. This gorgeously dark beauty offered notes of coffee and caramel with a chocolatey malt bill and minimal bitterness. It rang in at a light 5.6% Abv. We then totally switched gears with the Fishing Creek Pale Ale. Hovering just under 6%, this perfect representation of the style poured a golden amber and effervesced with a notable hoppy aroma and a touch of citrus.

Did someone open a jar of Skippy?

With the Oktoberfest offering, we stepped into the heavier side of things. The copper-hued, 5.9% German style Marzen delivered all things Bavaria with mild hop aroma and notes of toasted bread. From there, we hopped aboard the Flight 870 West Coast IPA. At 7%, this wonderfully bitter ale poured a beautiful golden amber. And when it came to flavor, it was spot on with notes of citrus and pine resin. The Swimmin’ Hole Saison, at 7.2% brought us to the top of the ABV mountain at Marley’s. This brilliant take on the farmhouse style ale brought a bit of spice and combined it with a refreshingly tart fruitiness in a dry and superbly-carbonated mouthfeel.

Last but certainly not least, we absolutely had to try the two-time, GABF award-winning Pack Dog Peanut Butter Ale. This impressive take on a traditional English brown ale brings together heaps of roasted peanuts and a light to medium hop profile to create one uniquely tasty, smooth-finishing beer. If you’re a connoisseur of atypical brews, you’ve gotta’ give this one a try.

The Food

Achieving other levels of pub-style comfort food

If you consider all of the elements of a cozy, neighborhood pub, so far, Marley’s has it all. There’s the warm, inviting atmosphere, the unique lineup of craft beers, a local following, lots of stained natural wood surfaces. If only they had a menu based entirely on that feeling… And they do.

Marley’s menu ventures from lunchtime favorites like hearty soups, fresh salads, burgers and sandwiches. Their entrée list ranges from comfort classics like pork chops and fish & chips to crab cakes, steaks and pasta, including award-winning mac n cheese. But what really sets them apart is their massive brick oven. All day (except on Tuesdays) they dish out crispy flatbreads and a wide variety of perfect pizzas, calzones and stromboli. There are even some who occasionally utter that daring phrase – “best pizza around.”

A classic NEPA brewpub experience

We stopped into Marley’s Brewery & Grille on a blistery, cold day in mid-November. Our bones ached for warmth. Our hearts sought friendly conversation. And our appetites pined away for tasty craft beers and a steaming hot pizza fresh from the oven. They had all three and then some. And it almost wiped our minds entirely of any notions of the impending winter.

Must Try:

Townie Lager – American Lager – Light, crisp, bready and a bit floral — 4.7% ABV

Panther Porter – American Porter – Roasty and chocolatey with a touch of rich maltiness — 5.6% ABV

Flight 870 West Coast IPA – West Coast Style IPA – Dank but not offensively so with a slight semblance of citrus — 7% ABV