There’s a lot to love at Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works Bar, a Veteran owned and operated brewery and distillery offering hand craft beers and spirits. There’s the historic Elks Lodge building with exposed brick, exposed rafters, and original hardwood floors that Tattered Flag calls home. There’s the bar and distillery on the lower level and a full restaurant and bar on the upper level. There’s also the Nuclear Bean, a gourmet coffee shop on the lower level when you want a great cup of Joe. There’s the founders, a four-man team, fast friends from high school, who decided to make their dream of building a brewery in Middletown come true. And then there’s the beer—a series of brews focusing on local flavors that change with the season and brewed with European techniques.
TMIPA, the brewery’s flagship is named for the nuclear site just two miles from the brewery. TMIPA packs a juicy citrus punch with four hops like the four cooling towers of Three Mile Island its namesake. This beer is bound to leave a flavor meltdown on your taste buds.
Manghost is another customer favorite. An American IPA, Manghost has a hazy, brownish amber color. Smell is of mango and light citrus. Taste is peppers. There are notes of mango and alcohol, but the taste is hot pepper. It doesn’t burn in the mouth, but going down the throat is another story. Feels medium to full bodied and is hot in the mouth. Overall it’s a unique and excellent beer.
Other favorites include:
Aleways Remamber, an amber ale that is a balanced, easy to drink beer. It’s red in color, lightly hopped, and has a clean finish. Pairs well with a burger and fries.
Hefeweizen is unfiltered and hazy and boasts a straw color and thick head. Heavy notes of banana balance well with the Hallertau and Tettnang hops. Hefe is a traditional German style of beer that follows the Reinheitsgebot law (only using malt, hops, yeast, and water). The “Hefe” pairs well with sausage and pretzels.
Ball Gunner Black IPA is a roasted malt that balances out a heavy dose of American citrusy hops. Fans of dark beers and hopheads will find common ground in this one. Enjoy it with something spicy off the grill and some sharp cheese.
Tattered Flag’s Cream Ale is slightly cloudy with a yellow color. It has a malty taste with a hint of lemon. With a light, creamy mouthfeel, this ale is easy to drink.
Pilsner is a classic German style lager brewed with Pilsner malt and matured at cool temperatures. Tattered Flag’s Pilsner features a medium mouth feel and a crisp, cracker-like flavor. The Noble hops give it a herbal/floral aroma and smooth flavor. Pairs well with Italian dishes and sandwiches.
While these beers are just some of the many available, Tattered Flag’s tap list is constantly changing so when you go make sure you refer to the daily printout. Check out the chalkboard in the tasting room/brew pub for Tattered Flag’s current seasonal and small batch offerings. The house made craft beers are available in 5 ounce, 8 ounce or 16 ounce pours.
Tattered Flag also offers tasty starters, hearty soups and fresh salads, mouthwatering sandwiches, appetizing entrees and sides, and delectable desserts. Kid’s options are available.
Located at 1 S. Union Street, Middletown, PA. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 7 a.m. to Midnight; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Brunch 10-2). Phone: 717-616-8799.