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Lancaster’s long brewing history has earned the nickname “Little Munich of America.” Thanks to its German roots, it has become a true beer paradise with 45 breweries, brewpubs, and beer bars sprouting around the city.
Lancaster breweries have made an impression on Pennsylvania’s craft beer scene. Whether searching for an award-winning beer or a great place to spend with friends and family, Lancaster will get you covered! Check out our list of the six best breweries in Lancaster County worthy of discovering!
1. Lancaster Brewing Company
If you’re looking for an award-winning beer in Pennsylvania, Lancaster Brewing Company is the place to go! It’s one of this state’s first craft breweries with a 39-year of brewing history, multiple taprooms, and brewpubs located within Lancaster County. Its year-round, seasonal ales and limited-edition brews offer classic and solid beer flavors. Thanks to the city’s rich farmlands, the brewery also serves fresh foods from locally produced ingredients making LBC a favorite dining place in downtown Lancaster.
Lancaster Brewing is housed in the former McGovern Tobacco Warehouse. A 1990s historic two-story red brick building with a rustic and warm atmosphere perfect for beer lovers and diners. Lancaster Brewing has contributed significantly to the thriving Pennsylvania craft beer scene by producing 20 selections of beer every year.
- Crowd Favorite: Milk Stout, 5% ABV. Lancaster’s 1994 flagship milk stout. Highly Recommended: Strawberry Wheat Beer, 4.7% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Lancaster Brewing offers brewery tours every weekend.
- Fun Fact: The Lancaster Brewing Company is the first brewery to produce commercially brewed beer in Lancaster since Prohibition.
Hours: Open Tues – Thur 4pm – 8pm, Fri & Sat 12pm – 9pm, Sun 12pm – 8pm, Mon Closed.
Address: 302 N Plum St, Lancaster, PA 17602
Contact: (717)391-6258 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
2. Spring House Brewing Company
Located in the heart of downtown Lancaster and West King Street, Spring House Brewing is a brewery worth seeking out. Thanks to its barn-raised roots, this brewery offers a genuinely different beer taste, one that’s uniquely Spring House! Its flagship taproom in Hazel Street features a rustic bar and dining area with arcade games, a dog-friendly patio, and its famous wood-fired pizza courtesy of Rosa Rosa Kitchen.
Spring House Brewing is also known for its annual Limited Artist Collab Series. This is when local artists collaborate with the brewery to showcase their talents and give life to the brewer’s innovative brews. With its constant rotation of seasonal and limited craft brews, pub grub, and welcoming atmosphere, you can never go wrong with Spring House Brewery.
- Crowd Favorite: Big Gruesome, Stout, 8.5% ABV. A full-bodied stout with chocolate malt and rich peanut butter flavor.
- Highly Recommended: The Astounding She-Monster, IPA, 7.1% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Spring House Brewing offers private spaces for events like weddings, conferences, and dinners.
- Fun Fact: Spring House Brewing once featured a skull and cobwebs motif, but the brewery re-branded to appeal to a broader audience.
Hours: Open Mon – Thur 11:30am – 10pm, Fri & Sat 11:30am – 11pm, Sun 11:30am – 9pm.
Address: 209 Hazel St, Lancaster, PA 17603
Contact: (717)984-2530 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
3. Iron Hill Brewing Company
If you’re in the mood for a cold beer and some good food, head to Iron Hill Brewing! The brewery is located at Harrisburg Pike and boasts a delicious menu of American cuisine. The beers here have won over 20 medals from The Great American Beer Festivals and offer 21 taprooms across states, making Iron Hill Brewing an international and nationally acclaimed brewery. You can enjoy award-winning brews while sitting at the bar or outside in their beer garden. Giving a perfect balance between its comfortable surroundings, casual ambiance, and specially crafted beverages, Iron Hill Brewing will leave you coming back for more!
- Crowd Favorite: Philly Phavorite IPA, 6.7% ABV. A hazy New England IPA with tropical fruit flavors.
- Highly Recommended: Pig Iron, Porter, 5.4% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Iron Hill accepts table reservations and calls ahead.
- Fun Fact: The brewery’s name comes from the story of soldiers who fought at a nearby hill called Iron Hill during World War II.
Hours: Open Sun – Tues 11:30am – 9pm, Wed & Thur 11:30am – 10pm, Fri & Sat 11:30am – 11pm.
Address: 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17603
Contact: (717)291-9800 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
4. Our Town Brewery
Our Town is a microbrewery located in downtown Lancaster. It is set at a century-old building, the former Chamber’s General Tire Company. It offers a rustic and cozy vibe that attracts tourists and locals. Aside from innovative rotating beers from a varied selection of IPA and other classic beers, they also had ciders, nitro, and wines. To serve if you were looking for something different during your visit. Aside from cold beers, they also do fresh, locally sourced foods. Beer enthusiasts could expect less than an enjoyable night with live music every Wednesday to Saturday and other exciting weekly events.
- Crowd Favorite: Press On, IPA, 6% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Proper Pils, Pilsner, 5% ABV.
Hours: Open Mon – Thur 4pm – 9pm, Fri & Sat 12pm – 9pm, Sun 12pm – 7pm.
Address: 252 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603
Contact: (717)435-9295 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
5. Wacker Brewing Company
Wacker Brewing Company is housed in a former 100-year-old Tobacco Warehouse. It pays tribute to one of the original Big Four of Lancaster County, the historic Wacker Brewing. The brewery specializes in producing authentic flavors of German-style beers like Kolsch, Dunkel, and pilsner and serves small bites that will fill you up. At the same time, you enjoy the beers courtesy of their in-house Pit Kitchen. If you are up for an adventure, you should visit their location, the Wacker Roadhouse. It is located at Willow Street and features award-winning Wacker beers, burgers, and bikes.
- Crowd Favorite: Bohemian Pilsner, 4.5% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Little Dutch Dunkel, 5% ABV.
- Fun Fact: Wacker Brewing’s founder, Michael Spichalsky, is a great-grandson of one of the original Wacker Brewing Company employees.
Hours: Open Wed & Thur 4pm – 10pm, Fri 4pm – 11pm, Sat 12pm – 11pm, Sun 12pm – 8pm, Mon & Tues Closed.
Address: 312 Beaver Valley Pike, Willow Street, PA 17584
Contact: (717)435-9295 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
6. Big Dog Craft Brewing
Located at the former Isaac Restaurant, Big Dog Craft Brewing is a 7-barrel brewpub and a new addition to Lancaster’s craft brewing scene. It is. With its welcoming vibe and tasty beers, it has quickly become a premier beer and food destination in Manheim Township. The brewery offers ten beers on tap, including IPAs, coffee porter, milk stout, and brown ale. It serves American pub grub, like wings, pizza, burgers, salad, and fries. Bring your friends and drop by every Friday to enjoy a cold pint with great live music while jamming out to great local bands!
- Crowd Favorite: Cloud Kicker, IPA, 6.5% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Sweet Equity, IPA, 7.4% ABV.
- Fun Fact: The Big Dog Brewery, which started as Lancaster Homebrew, is known for helping homebrewers create their breweries.
Hours: Open Tues – Thur 11:30am – 9pm, Fri & Sat 11:30am – 10pm, Sun 11:30am – 8pm, Mon Closed.
Address: 1559 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
Contact: (717)517-7466 | Facebook | Instagram | Website