Award-winning Gettysburg breweries and distilleries quench your group’s thirst with satisfying craft beer and Pennsylvania flavors
Gettysburg is not just known for its Civil War-era history, it’s also home to some of the nation’s best craft beer breweries. Inspired by the long tradition of German immigration to this area, Gettysburg breweries are itinerary must-haves. They feature a combination of exciting new brews crafted with time-honored traditions and unique culinary experiences. You can’t go far without running into a plethora of award-winning breweries while walking downtown.
With all the options of Gettysburg breweries and distilleries, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. But Adams County, Pennsylvania has partnered with the area’s most distinct beer makers to present the Adams County Pour Tour: an interactive exploration into Gettysburg’s local tastes.
Photo courtesy of Land Conservancy of Adams County PA
Gettysburg Breweries Serving Craft Beer and Local Flavors
Muster up a thirst when visiting the area’s many battlefields on rolling green hills or following the footsteps of figures like Abraham Lincoln or General Robert E. Lee. Group travelers are invited to embark on an exploration of local Gettysburg breweries and experience refreshing craft beer. This tour provides each guest with a Passport that can be marked with a stamp for each brewery your group decides to visit.
Mason Dixon Distillery
Mason Dixon Distillery is housed in a beautifully restored, 100-year-old factory in the heart of downtown Gettysburg. In particular, all of its spirits are made on-site, crafted from local ingredients and bottled by hand. Meanwhile, the grains used in a variety of the spirits are grown down the road in Gettysburg National Military Park. In addition, the distillery has its vodka, rum, whiskey and gin available by the bottle, served on the rocks, or in one of its many craft cocktails.
Gettysburg breweries offer menus
Just like the spirits, the distillery’s menu is crafted with the same attention to historic tradition and local flavor. Dishes like the Hot Chicken Sandwich and Greek Lasagna are prepared with ingredients grown locally or in the restaurant’s back garden.
Thirsty Farmer Brew Works
Another notable stop on the Adams County Pour Tour takes you 20 minutes outside of Gettysburg to the farmlands of Biglerville, Pennsylvania. The brewery is located at its own family farm, kept by the Knouse family for four generations. Thirsty Farmer only features Pennsylvania-grown hops, either cultivated by their family farm or sourced from local growers. One notable mention the brewery has on tap is the Apple Graff, a unique combination of apple cider and craft beer. The apples used in this brew are sourced from the family’s apple orchard. In addition, Thirsty Farmer also has the classics on tap for the traditionalists, like the Vienna Lager.
Thirsty Farmer Brew Works for unique craft beer along the Pour Tour of Gettysburg breweries
Craft beer paired with delectable dishes
In like manner of the brews, the menu offers up a locally-sourced selection of plates. In fact, the Build Your Own menu is sure to be a sharable favorite among group travelers. Otherwise, be sure to pick up some fresh produce for the road, grown on-site. Seasonally offered produce includes apples, peaches, pears, nectarines and apricots. Your visit to Thirsty Farmer is sure to highlight the quality produce grown in rural Adams County.
Dawg Gone Bees
A sweet stop on the Pour Tour, Dawg Gone Bees is a family owned and operated business producing homemade honey and bee products, including mead. The quaint shop is located an 18-minute drive away from Gettysburg in New Oxford, Pennsylvania. Dawg Gone Bees’ mead is flavored with locally-sourced fruits and spices to create their range of semi-dry to sweet. Surely you’ll want to stop in to purchase mead by the bottle or come in for a tasting.
Stop at Dawg Gone Bees on your Pour Tour of Gettysburg breweries
Jack’s Hard Cider and Mela Kitchen
Across from Gettysburg National Military Park is Jack’s Hard Cider and Mela Kitchen. Their dedication to showcasing locally grown ingredients is displayed in the slogan: “Eat Well, Drink Well, Be Well.”
The production facility for Jack’s Hard Cider features multiple cider blends on tap which are pressed on site. A group travel favorite is the cider flight, a sampling of four of these artistically crafted ciders. Likewise, Jack’s also features craft beer brewed in Pennsylvania, wines under the Atomic Dog label and a wide selection of cocktails.
Head to Jack’s for delicious hard cider and craft beer and one of the must-visit Gettysburg breweries
Mouthwatering meals at Mela
Accordingly, Mela Kitchen features a modern menu of clean, fresh and rustic culinary offerings. They include Skirt Steak and Grilled Branzino, Roasted Vegetable Sub and gluten-free pizza cooked in a traditional Italian brick oven. Important to note, Mela offers cuisine based on any dietary restrictions or preferences.
Fourscore Beer Co.
Located in the heart of downtown Gettysburg, Fourscore Beer Co. is one of the top Gettysburg breweries to visit. Everything about Fourscore, from the menu of unique and trendy IPAs to the meme-filled Facebook page, caters to those looking for an out-of-the-box experience.
Accordingly, their quirky drinks have the names to match. For example, They See Me Rollin’ is a cinnamon bun imperial stout. Noon as Dark as Midnight Peanut Butter is a bourbon barrel aged stout with peanut butter, vanilla and coffee flavors. Besides their usual selection, Fourscore often releases limited-edition craft beer. So before your visit, check out its Facebook page to see their latest creation available in-store or for pick-up.
Locally sourced ingredients produce unique craft beer at Gettysburg breweries
Like many of the Gettysburg breweries featured on the Pour Tour, Fourscore Beer Co. sources the highest quality ingredients. They are sourced both locally and across the globe to use in its craft beer and dishes. The kitchen menu rotates with the seasons, featuring small plates that pair exceptionally well with their brews. In fact, many of these plates incorporate some of their craft beer as an ingredient.
Gettysburg Breweries, Craft Beer and Adams County History
With 31 brewing companies and restaurants on the Adams County Pour Tour, there are plenty of reasons to explore the rich history of Pennsylvania. If the excitement of trying high quality, innovative craft spirits isn’t enough, don’t forget your Passport. Turn in your completed Passport with all 31 stamps to enter a competition for the chance to win an overnight getaway to Gettysburg.
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By Isabella Wilkes
