Things to Do , Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries , Places to Eat & Drink
DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop
Posted: November 26, 2018
Celebrating NEPA’s exploding craft beer scene — one pint at a time.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Celebrates a Proud, Long-Standing Tradition of Brewing Beer
Currently, there are 38, publicly-accessible breweries making great beer in Northeastern Pennsylvania. In honor of these intrepid artisans, their tasty beers, and those who happily imbibe, we’ve put together the DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop.
The Loop, as we like to call it, traverses 10 counties and stops in 28 incredible towns. All told, it stretches out over 390 miles, and makes for quite the scenic tour of Northeastern Pennsylvania. It snakes along forested mountain highways, surfs green pastures, and swims rivers cold and clear.
All of the breweries along the Loop uniquely embody NEPA’s trademark blue-collar ethic. Designs are simple, charming and often elegant in their workshop-turned weekend hangout type of way. The beer is straightforward, honest and true to those who brew it and believe in it.
An unpretentious artistry weaves from point to point on the Loop in the form of some inexplicably mingled, cosmic inspiration. And these men and women so fortunately tuned to it are governed only by the limits of their creativity. For the rest of us, this translates to hundreds of great beers. And we’d be fools not to celebrate that.
Take a trip on the DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop.
The Brewer’s Loop is essentially a trail of well over 500 beers.
Collectively, NEPA’s craft breweries offer an eclectic journey along the broad spectrum of beer. From light to dark, bitter to sweet, intensely hoppy to subtle malty nuance, there’s a beer for every palate.
Every stop on the Loop features delightfully bitter IPAs, smooth, chocolatey stouts, crisp lagers, easy, drinkable wheat beers, sours and so much more. In fact, many of NEPA’s brewers source ingredients locally. Add to that heaps of inspiration from regional lore and mythology, and you have a stable of unique beers that embody the spirit of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
It’s a long road.
In its entirety, the DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop is quite the haul. Even if you could complete it in one day, we wouldn’t recommend it. For the sake of convenience, we’ve broken the Loop down into three easily navigable sections.
Go ahead. Find yourself a designated driver, make use of a local rideshare, and set out on your very own NEPA craft beer journey. Be responsible. Be safe, and tell em’ DiscoverNEPA sent you.
The Susquehanna Stretch
This portion of the DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop totals just over 100 scenic miles. It covers 3 counties, with stops in 10 unique towns, and it includes 12 breweries. Much of the route runs along the mighty Susquehanna River.
This section is book ended by some of NEPA’s most picturesque pastoral farm country. And the river valley in between is dotted with quaint towns and bustling cities.
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Turkey Hill Brewing Company
Bloomsburg is becoming a beer town, and the Turkey Hill Brewing Co. is leading the charge. This charming brewery and pub welcomes visitors with exposed beams and stonework. The beers are the true standout here, but the comforting and delicious food gives them a good run for the money.
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Berwick Brewing Company
The Berwick Brewing Co. is a true, old -school, classic hometown brewery – the only exception is the stunning variety of beer. With over 20 taps, it’s tough to settle on just one style. Stop by in the summer and enjoy their German-style biergarten overlooking the Susquehanna River.
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Conyngham Brewing Company
Belly up to their classic, horseshoe bar, grab a table overlooking the yard or find a seat on the porch. This small-town brewery runs 12 rotating taps featuring their freshest beers made with only local, homegrown ingredients.
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Five Mountain Brewing Company
Surrounded by lush, green mountains, this Shickshinny favorite has become a go-to spot for fresh brewed, cold beer. The cozy taproom is the perfect size for a relaxing night out with friends. They also fill growlers.
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Bearded Barrel Brewing Company
This scrappy microbrewery in Plymouth brings a fresh spin on the IPA game. Make your way to Bearded Barrel Brewing Co. for their insanely popular can releases and growler fills. You can also find them at many local bars and restaurants.
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Benny Brewing Company
You can see all the magic happen from the comfort of your table at Benny Brewing Co. in Hanover Township. The pristine, wide open brewery and kitchen are on display as you sample any of the eleven beers on tap. FYI – they have a BBQ pit out back.
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Lanahu Ales
Get your island groove on at this Hawaiian-inspired brewpub in Mountain Top. The brewery features a state-of-the-art, self pour tap system. The tap list offers a tasty selection of 10 beers including hazy, juicy IPAs, stouts, porters and pilsners.
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Breaker Brewing Company
Housed in a former monastery in Wilkes-Barre Township, this popular brewery and brewpub offers an ambitious dining menu to pair with their 8 unique rotating drafts. It is also home to arguably the best hand-rolled, fresh baked soft pretzel in all of NEPA.
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Susquehanna Brewing Co.
Noted for their incredibly laid back and informative brewery tours, this pioneer in NEPA craft brewing also features a tasting room with 8 of their fresh brewed beers on tap. And if you’re a true fan, you’d know that they also regularly tap casks of rare and experimental beers.
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North Slope Brewing Company
Exposed brick and rafters, live edge, wood plank tables and finished metal chairs offer a cozy industrial vibe for this Back Mountain favorite. It also helps that they always feature 11 tasty beers and an innovative modern menu.
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Back Mountain Brewing Company
NEPA’s blue-collar roots are on full display in this veteran-owned nano brewery in Dallas. The iconic location’s modern industrial vibe blends with a laid-back atmosphere and expertly crafted brews to deliver the quintessential craft tap room experience.
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Nimble Hill Winery & Brewery
NEPA’s expansive northern countryside provides the tranquil setting for this winery, brewery and tasting room. They feature a regular line up of 7 year-round beers and the occasional seasonal offering.
The Endless-Pocono Run
This section carries travelers from the Endless Mountains in the north, through historic Scranton and to the Pocono Mountains in the east. It traverses nearly 165 miles of simply stunning terrain. Take in swaths of rolling green fields, the Electric City’s fascinating architecture and scenic mountain vistas.
In total, you’ll come across 16 breweries along this route. It spans 5 counties, makes stops in 13 towns, swings by the picturesque Delaware River and concludes in historic Downtown Stroudsburg.
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2 Dogz and a Guy Brewing
This microbrewery in Susquehanna has partnered with a legendary, local BBQ joint to deliver a combination of heavenly delights. You can’t go wrong with fresh, cold beer, a tantalizing menu and a little live, local music.
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Endless Brewing
With a cozy, little tap room, and eight reliably tasty beers on draft, this Montrose brewery is a favorite among locals. Sample a few of their experimental beers and take home your favorite in a growler.
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Iron Horse Brewing Company
This Susquehanna brewpub enjoys the title of northernmost craft brewery in NEPA. Iron Horse sits just a stone’s throw from the river and the famed Starrucca Viaduct. Sample their whole lineup of IPAs, Blondes, Sours, Stouts and many, many more (that also includes a wide-ranging pub menu).
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Last Minute Brewing
This rural brewhouse in Scott enjoys a quiet, scenic northern Lackawanna County address. The winding country roads and wide-open swaths of golden field treat the eye nearly as much as their delicious beers treat the palate.
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Groove Brewing
This neighborhood microbrewery in Scranton offers a peaceful respite from the bustle of the Electric City. Enjoy brewery-fresh beers in their cozy taproom, or spread out in the dog-friendly back yard. The brewery features a wide selection of expertly crafted beers, and all are also available to go.
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Iron Hart Brewing
With a coveted corner locale in downtown Carbondale, this brewery and tap room typically features a 10-beer rotation. They also offer a limited menu with unique twists on old favorites and frequent live, local music.
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Irving Cliff Brewery
History courses through this landmark Honesdale brewery. It’s also evident in the brewery’s method of cask aging their hearty ales. The tap room and restaurant are also basically a celebration of everything great about beer.
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Here & Now Brewing Company
Offering a charming take on the neighborhood brewpub, this Main Street favorite delights with innovative beers, an ever-evolving menu and a reverence for classic rustic design. Sit down and pair a pint with a pizza, or grab a growler to go.
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Hopping Eagle Brewing Co.
History blends well with beer at this plucky nano brewery and taproom located inside the famous Hawley Silk Mill. The beautifully renovated space features tons of natural light, wood tones, a lengthy bar and at least 8 delicious beers always on tap.
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Wallenpaupack Brewing Co.
This contemporary Pocono brewpub offers the perfect spot for gathering with a few friends, or for a night out with the family. With 12 beers on tap and a fresh, locally-sourced menu, good times aren’t hard to find.
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Curran Brewing Co.
Situated directly between Scranton and Lake Wallenpaupack, this modest brewery keeps it simple with only tours and growler fills. What’s not so simple, however, is the beer. Try their local favorite Maggie’s Tail English Ale or look for their easy-breezy summer wheat beer. Stop by their taproom for brewery tours, tastings, pints, flights and growler fills.
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Jam Room Brewing Co.
It’s all about beer and great music at this little gem in the heart of the Poconos. Their often-whimsical beers and the funky tap room ambiance will leave you wishing the night would never end.
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Log Tavern Brewing Co.
Quaint, historic Milford offers an alluring setting for this popular brewery and taproom. Steel, stone and wood combine to create a rustic ambiance that fits the character and deep, bold flavors of their beers.
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ShawneeCraft Brewing Co.
This popular brewery nestled along the mighty Delaware River features a spacious tap room and an incredible pizza and pretzel menu. They offer live local music every weekend and the occasional open mic night. Also, the beers are ridiculously good.
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Bovino's Pizzeria & Brewery
Pizza and fresh-brewed craft beer are the name of the game at this popular East Stroudsburg hangout. Aside from a cool, spacious bar and dining room, great local music and an incredible menu, this joint’s got some amazingly tasty beers.
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Downriver Brewing Company
This intrepid craft brewery brings beer back from an eight-decade slumber in Downtown Stroudsburg. Dive into an impressive tap list featuring hefty imperial IPAs, deliciously comforting stouts and more.
The Southern Reach
This section of the Loop reaches into NEPA’s southernmost counties. It extends 110 miles to the southwest. Here, the route leaves the dense Pocono wilds for the undulating valleys of NEPA’s southern hard coal country. It then takes one last dramatic turn northward to Bloomsburg.
On this part of the Loop, you’ll cross through 4 counties, stopping in 7 towns. Altogether, you will hit 10 unique breweries and dive deep into NEPA’s industrial past.
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Pocono Brewery Company
There’s just as much emphasis on the delicious food as there is on the craft beers at this family run southern Pocono brewery and restaurant. Pair any one of their 8 beers with an oak-wood fired pizza.
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Barley Creek Brewing Company
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.
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Mountain View Vineyard
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.
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Half Barrel Brewing Company
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.
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Revere Brewery
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.
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Stoker's Brewing Co.
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.
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Black Rock Brewing Company
This brewpub inspired by Schuylkill County’s hard coal heritage makes its home in a restored historic, 19th Century Pottsville landmark. They offer up an eclectic mix of staple ales and lagers, and the brewery even partners with an iconic Harrisburg winery to offer a wide selection of local wines.
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Yuengling Brewery
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.
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Pilger Ruh Brewing
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).
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Marley's Brewery & Grille
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 your IPAs and Porters.
Get to know NEPA one beer at a time
The DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop pays homage to Northeastern Pennsylvania’s proud history of brewing. It honors the good men and women whose hard work and passion drive this exploding industry toward the future. Quite simply, it celebrates beer, those who dream it, those who drink it, and those who drive them home.
Follow along as we hit the road and bring you a closer look inside NEPA’s incredible craft breweries.
And don’t forget to cross this item off your DiscoverNEPA Bucket List.
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