For every Yuengling, Iron City, and Yards, Pennsylvania has dozens and dozens of small town craft breweries producing beer worthy of statewide recognition.
Beer is big business in the commonwealth — craft beer, specifically. D. G. Yuengling & Son in Pottsville — the oldest brewery in America — is the largest craft brewery in the country.
According to the most recent statistics from the Brewers Association, there were 530 craft breweries in the state as of 2023, third most in the U.S., up from 178 a decade ago. Those breweries produced more than 3.1 million barrels of beer in 2023, the second most in the country.
Pennsylvania’s beer scene includes the “household names” like Pittsburgh’s Iron City, Yards in Philadelphia, and the aforementioned O.G.,Yuengling. But you’ll find dozens and dozens of small town craft breweries throughout the state producing beer worthy of statewide — heck, nationwide — recognition.
Here are seven that beer enthusiasts should have on their radar:
Orr’s Brewing Company
Located in Titusville, population 5,224, Orr’s Brewing Company is a microbrewery and taproom. The establishment dubs itself “the premier location for craft beer, homemade pizzas, and live music in the region.” All Orr’s standard and seasonal brewers are made in house. Their small kitchen specializes in homemade pizzas, keeping it local with dough from Titiusville’s Patty’s Bakery. Live music and trivia nights are part of the fun at Orr’s.
Location: 109 S. Franklin St, Titusville, Crawford County
Olde Bedford Brewing Company
Located in Bedford (population: 2,846), farm-to-cask pub/micro-brewery Olde Bedford Brewing Company crafts its beers with spring water and hops grown on the owners’ ranch in the mountains. The award winning brewery does not serve food but they have the occasional food truck and customers can bring their own eats.
Location: 109 Railroad St., Bedford, Bedford County
Brew Gentlemen
Located outside Pittsburgh in the historic steel town of Braddock (population: 1,708), Brew Gentlemen makes soft, balanced beers, best exemplified by their flagship IPA, General Braddock’s. They have big screens to watch sports and are dog friendly. Brew Gentlemen doesn’t serve food, but customers can bring their own and they frequently have food trucks on premises.
Location: 512 Braddock Ave., Braddock, Allegheny County
Forest & Main Brewing
Yes, they’re in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood now, but we’re focusing on Forest & Main Brewing’s original location: a Victorian house from the late 1800s in Ambler (population: 6,803). It has 13 beers on tap, including three side pulls and three hand pumps. One of the more nationally known small-town Pennsylvania breweries, it was a featured brewery on Amazon Prime’s “Not Your Father’s Beer.” Philadelphia Magazine once named the brewery the “Place for Casual Day Drinking” in its Best of Philly list. The brewery does not serve food, but guests can bring their own.
Location: 33 East Butler Ave., Ambler, Montgomery County
Wyndridge Farm
Located in Dallastown (population: 4,176), Wyndridge Farm is known for its cider but it also crafts beer. The beer originally carried the Wyndridge label, but in 2020 they began to produce it under the Winding Path Brewing Brewing Co. label. The brewery sources only the best ingredients and their goal is to produce some of the best craft beer in the state. Their offerings—about eight beers—are small compared to many other craft breweries, but they’re made with “intention, identity, quality and purpose.”
Location: 885 South Pleasant Ave., Dallastown, York County
