Groove Brewing

Our latest stop on the DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop brought us to Scranton’s working-class Pine Brook neighborhood for a chat and a pint at Groove Brewing.

Groove Brewing operates out of a former body shop in Scranton’s Pine Brook neighborhood. The true heart of the city is on display here with quiet streets, local businesses and light industry sprinkled throughout and its storied history looming and ever-present in the form of renovated and repurposed factories. In that regard, Groove Brewing, in its simplicity of mission, its unassuming footprint and its blue-collar ethos, has found its perfect little place in the world.

Keepin’ it simple

At first glance, the roll-up glass garage doors, the bright, white cinder block and stucco exterior and an understated sign offer a welcomed subtlety. The brewery almost camouflages itself against the surrounding neighborhood in some quiet agreement. Sounds of the old railroad echo in the imagination and the cool Lackawanna River rolling nearby checks you back into reality. On its long, winding path, this corner property once housed a popular beer distributor, then a mechanic’s shop and now a craft brewery. It’s come full circle, in a sense. And while they’ve scrubbed the old grease stains and boot scuffs into a collective faded memory, the building remains a source of tireless vocation – one who’s roots and rewards sing in simplicity. They make beer, and they offer it fresh and cold and in a quiet, friendly place.

Let’s go have a quick pint and a look around, shall we?

Groove Brewing: The Brewery

Behind the curtain

The brewhouse at Groove Brewing, maintains a bit of mystery behind the bar, half walls and stacks of grain and hops. A peek inside, like a look into the mind of Master Brewer, Ed Generose, reveals the unfinished, unadorned symphony of the creation of beer. Natural light creeps through a few windows to remind of a world in motion outside. It mingles with the glow of fluorescent bulbs overhead and breathes life into the white walls and shimmering brew tanks. It traces the snaking pattern of pipes and hoses and finds its way into forgotten corners where beakers and measuring cups crowd every available shelf. It glistens in puddles on the concrete floor where the memory of the morning’s work is still finding its way to the floor drain.

Envelop the senses

In short time, we’re noticing a bready, cereal quality to the air. Nameless beers boil and foam in their infancy. Sneakers squeak from task to task. The brewers, in a fury of sweat and creative spark, conduct these moving parts in some innate mastery over their domain. The brewhouse and all the things in it seem to liquify around them – swirling, steaming, becoming that simple golden pleasure spelled out in clever names on the taproom slate.

Groove Brewing: The Taproom

A taproom that tells a familiar story

It’s Scranton encapsulated in brick, wood and steel. The ancient cracks in the painted concrete floor trace a history that carries well beyond the walls and inky black ceiling. There’s a welcomed weariness to this place. Over a century of foot traffic and labor scars the old floors. The once-sharp edges and corners of the brick have rounded smooth under countless layers of paint. The overhead doors still creek and squeak on their way up. And yet, on the whole, the room remains bright and awake. The massive glass doors facing south and east flood the room with daylight. The intersection of Glenn St. and Sanderson Ave. just outside creates an intimacy with the regular buzz of the neighborhood.

Big and small, quiet and communal

The taproom at groove Brewing almost feels like two separate entities. In one space, the lengthy bar seats about a dozen comfortably. A few smaller tables scattered about add a little more seating, but keep this side of the room quieter. It’s also the perfect spot for taking in the splendor of golden hour as the fading sun spills out pink and electric orange over nearby rooftops.

If you prefer more of an Oktoberfest vibe, head up the ramp to the raised communal space. The expansive room features plenty of tables, a view into the brewhouse and two more massive overhead doors that paint the space with natural light. It’s the ideal spot for larger groups and regular brewery events. The outdoor space at Groove is limited, but large enough for food trucks and a few tables. With those overhead doors, however, isn’t it all just wide-open outdoor space?

Groove Brewing: The Beer

They keep ten taps running behind the bar at Groove Brewing

The mix of beers could be most suitably described as deceptively simple with a few masterfully-unique twists. Here, it’s not about hitting you over the head with hops or off-the-wall adjuncts. The brewer’s approach seems to lend itself more to a philosophy of follow the rules first and then break them (just a little). The board features all the classics from pale to dark ales to lighter lagers. You’ll find old-world influences and carefully planned experiments mingling with modern takes on the classics.

Let’s start with the lagers

Up first, the Groove standard, Steamtown Gold. At an easy 6%, this classic American lager would have been a hit a-in any railroadman’s thermos. It was cool, crisp and slightly sweet. Next, we opted for the heavier Japanese Rice Lager. At 7%, this was one of Groove’s heavier offerings, though you wouldn’t know it by the taste. This clear, golden lager was subtly bitter and finished pleasantly dry.

Ales for days

One area where Groove Brewing really shines is in the variability and consistent craftsmanship of their ale program. From IPAs to Saisons to interesting flavor profiles, they consistently produce tasty, session beers that tie so effortlessly to the season.

We started this trip with their true-to-form European ales. Big Al’s Brewski is classic Grodziskie, or Polish-Style smoked wheat ale. At 5.3%, this deep, slightly smoky and woody ale is an easy cruiser. Their Weizenfest at 5.8% was everything you want a classic Hefeweizen to be – slightly fruity and spicy, a little cloudy with hints of banana bread and clove.

Exploring uncharted territory

We then moved from the classics to some of the more experimental offerings. The Coal Town Black IPA at 6% combined in a beautiful symmetry the citrus notes and elevated bitterness of a straight IPA with the creamy, malt. Nuttiness of a porter. PB&H, or Peanut Butter & Habanero delivered a unique combo of savory, sweet and spicy in one delicious, copper-hued amber ale weighing in at 5.6%. Little Green, their green tea-flavored blonde ale clocked in at 5.8% and offered something more akin to a Sunday afternoon sweet tea on the front porch. And finally, the Vintage Dendelion at 6% brought a unique, grassy, herbal twist to an already deliciously-funky Saison profile.

We popped into Groove Brewing on an early summer afternoon

Scranton had just begun greening up. The oaks and maples and the shingled roof tops between us and downtown seemed to stifle its everyday hum. We felt away from it all, but not – in hiding without trying. This and a little sunshine and some cold, local beer and a bit of easy conversation reminded what it was always supposed to be about.

Next time you find yourself in the Electric City, be sure to pop into Groove Brewing.

Must Try:

Big Al’s Brewski –Grodziskie (Polish-Style Smoked Wheat Ale) – Not overwhelmingly smoky, light and crisp — 5.3% ABV

Weizenfest – Hefeweizen – Touch of sweet, bready notes with banana and cloves — 5.8% ABV

PB&H – Amber Ale – A little sweet perfectly balanced with a little spice — 5.6% ABV