Raise a Glass to These Hidden Gems: Exploring 8 Great Pennsylvania Small Town Craft Breweries

For every Yuengling, Iron City, and Yards, Pennsylvania has dozens and dozens of small town craft breweries producing beer worthy of statewide recognition.

Craft beer is big business in Pennsylvania. 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 provided by the state, Pennsylvania ranks second in the nation for volume of craft beer production, having produced 3.2 million barrels in 2021, resulting in a $5.5 million economic impact.

According to the Brewers Association, there were 486 craft breweries in the state as of 2021, up from just 88 a decade earlier.

And among the “household names” like Pittsburgh’s Iron City, Yards in Philadelphia, and the aforementioned O.G., Yuengling, you’ll find dozens and dozens of small town craft breweries throughout the state producing beer worthy of statewide recognition.

Here are eight 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

Endless Brewing 

Located in Montrose (population: 1,293), Endless Brewing’s goal is to create delicious ales that are available fresh and local to their customers, friends, and neighbors. One Facebook reviewer says it’s a “small, intimate brewery, with folks who really know their beer.” Their beers and hard cider on tap are constantly rotated. Their beer-friendly food selection includes grilled cheese and bratwurst, and Sunday brunch changes from week to week. 

Location: 20610 State Rte. 29, Montrose, Susquehanna 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 

Logyard Brewing

Located in Kane (population: 3,560), Logyard Brewing is situated within the Allegheny National Forest in an old log yard. The region is known for black cherry and black birch hardwoods, which feature in the unique flavor profiles of their beer. Their food menu is small but satisfying. It changes frequently, and is designed to pair with their beers. 

Location: 20 Wetmore Ave., Kane, McKean County

Boxcar Brew Works

Located in DuBois (population: 7,460), Boxcar Brew Works—with the brewery and taproom situated inside old boxcars— is a regional nano-brewery with 20 rotating taps. They brew lagers and ales with the occasional sour or pastry beer. The brewery is part of the Doolittle Station with a restaurant, model railroad museum, a bed and breakfast, and more. A pizzeria on the premises provides brewery guests with food and live music on select nights provides the entertainment.

Location: 1290 Rich Hwy., DuBois, Clearfield County

Forest & Main Brewing

Located in Ambler (population: 6,803), Forest & Main Brewing is situated in a Victorian house from the late 1800s. 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

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