Harrisburg, PA 56°F
I have been a long time fan of Troeg's Brewery. The Brewery's prior location in Harrisburg was a mere 10 minutes from my in-law's house, which made it within perfect striking distance over long holiday weekends. During grocery runs for a used up dinner ingredient, ("oh my goodness, we are out of butter?!?!!!"), I would always volunteer to go, and my trusty Jeep would inevitably be magnetically pulled in the direction of Troeg's, where a quick pint, a six-pack of their special Scratch beer, or a growler full of Javahead could be quickly procured, providing a little refreshment and fortitude to enter back into chaos of a large long family dinner. So I was somewhat disappointed to hear that they would be moving to Hershey, although it was probably for the best......for my budget, for relationship with my in-laws, and for the expanding space-strapped Brewery.
Since they moved late last year, I haven't had the opportunity to visit the state of the art new Troeg's Brewery location, that is......until today. I was looking for a convenient place to meet my Father on a busy weekend, where we could sit and talk, and where I could spend a little of recently received birthday cash and maybe take a little souvenier home. Troeg's came to mind, which is a short drive down Route 39 off of Route 81 and just a little bit East of Hersheypark. In tow was my thirteen-year old budding foodie daughter, complete with teenage attitude. 
The new facility is impressive. The outside of the brewery looks somewhat like an airport and has a large veranda where events can be held in warmer weather. We arrived around 12 noon and the place was steady but not crowded yet. We sauntered down the broad aisles of the self-guided tour and admired the spanking new, spotless, stainless steel equipment. I managed to take a few pictures, pretty discreetly, I thought, although my teenage daughter was annoyed and she said I looked too much like a tourist and apparently embarrased her!
The self guided tour is informative, and there are several display signs with and I also enjoyed looking at the Troeg's inspired art and posters hanging on the wall.
I stopped by the gift show and picked up a fancy glass, a T-shirt, and a six-pack of Scratch #57. The Scratch Beer series is a series of unique experimental beers which occasionally become full-time offerings. Hopefully, with the expanded brewing capacity, Troeg's will be able to offer more of these excellent varieties on a longer term basis. The Scratch #57 is a German Bock beer, brewed with cocoa powder and berries and carbonated to a near champagne finish. The six-pack I bought was not chilled, so I will have to report back on my observations after I taste this beer.
After our tour, we stopped in the main tasting room for a snack and a beverage. Coffee is offered along with sodas, sandwiches and pretzels. You can purchase a pint or a tray of beer samples for $5. My daughter had a gourmet root beer, and I sipped on a Javahead Stout, while my dad had a freshly brewed coffee. I brought a growler of fresh draft Javahead to take home. I admired the long Ocktoberfest style table at the long table in the center of the huge tasting room. While I was standing in line, I noticed that beer afficiandos were there visiting from several different states, including a young man who said he had driven up from Maryland just for a growler of the nut brown, Rugged Trail.
Yes....the new facility, enthusiastic customers, colorful art poster, and recent media attention are alluring. But all these accolades are secondary to one thing....the quality of the beer - - AND the quality is absolutely top-notch. Top-notch ingredients, quality hops, new clean equipment, freshly brewed locally, and delivered in days to your local beer distributor. Seasonal selections, like Nugget Nectar, based on the season and ingredients available. Would you rather drink that or buy a dusty old case of beer from Germany or the mid-West, that's been sitting in the back corner of your beer distributor for months, perhaps years?
Years ago I had the privilege of having a very brief conversation with Chris Troegner. After my initial star-struck reaction, we discussed beer. He compared fresh beer to eating a fresh loaf of bread, toasty and warm, right out of the oven, as contrasted to an old stale loaf from a discount grocery store. That is the perfect analogy of how I want my food, and my beer, to be. That is how I want the people who make my beer to think. That analogy stayed with me over the years......and I will stay with Troeg's - - - even though I might have to drive down the road a little further.
Tröegs Brewing Company
200 E Hersheypark Drive
Hershey, PA 17033
717.534.1297
General Store Hours & Tasting Room Hours
Monday - Wednesday 11am to 7pm
Thursday - Saturday 11am to 8pm
Self Guided Brewery Tours
Monday - Wednesday 11am to 7pm
Thursday - Saturday 11am to 8pm
-OR- Email & Password
