In 2017, nearly 1,000 breweries opened nationwide, and 165 closed – a closure rate of 2.6 percent. That’s a 42 percent jump from 2016 when 116 craft breweries closed. Current numbers display that there are now over 6,300 breweries in America, with nearly 2,000 of them containing brewpubs. It appears that craft breweries with a brewpub serving Fresh beer, including fresh DIPAs, and food are remaining in business longer.
There are 12,000 fewer neighborhood bars in America today than there were in 1998 and Nielsen research finds that six neighborhood bars are closing each day. Neighborhood bars are not normally able to offer Fresh craft beers on tap when discussing these closing rates.
Enter the taprooms which are one of the most popular Fresh craft beer drinking establishments emerging in today’s urban drinker market. And taprooms are opening in the same, once-oppressed neighborhoods that used to be filled with working class neighborhood bars.
The 4PAX surmise a major influence causing this shift from breweries without brewpubs to those with, from neighborhood bars to taprooms is the “Freshness” of craft beers. Freshness is one of the most important characteristic that keep the better neighborhood bars and taprooms open in this volatile craft beer brewing environment. While there is still far too many old beer bottles and cans on shelves, the best beer stores, breweries, neighborhood bars, and taprooms are now insisting upon Freshness. Please click on the BREW PUBS tab for a 4PAX review of breweries they have visited, and which serve good food and Fresh DIPAs.
An additional 4PAX review of some of the local neighborhood bars and taprooms visited in Susquehanna Valley and surrounding areas that serve up a nice variety of Fresh craft beer along with great food in a pleasant environment follows for the benefit of those DIPA and Imperial IPA lovers living in or visiting Pennsylvania.
The Blue & Gray Bar & Grill
2 Baltimore St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
The “B&G” is situated in the center of Gettysburg on the square and is open 7 days a week from 11am to 2am. They serve an excellent variety of draft, bottled and canned Fresh DIPA and Imperial IPA craft beer. Balance their craft beer selection with an awesome array of delicious food, with live music in a sports bar setting makes this neighborhood bar one of the 4PAX favorite places to have a drink, grab a bite of food, watch a game, listen to live music, or just hang out in their comfortable, friendly atmosphere.
Garry Owen Irish Pub
126 Chambersburg St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
The “GO”, as it’s known to their regular customers, is an inviting Irish pub, open 7 days a week, 11am to 2am. A warm solid mahogany bar, friendly service and the ever-present possibility of an Irish tune breaking out is a unique experience. Although more famous for their selection of 80 plus Irish whiskies, the best of Ireland’s draft beers, and the perfect pour of Guinness, they also normally have at least one Fresh DIPA or Imperial IPA available. Pair their selection of liquid refreshment with authentic Irish dishes, traditional pub fare, and live music on the weekends, this neighborhood bar is another favorite of the 4PAX.
Tommy’s Pizza
105 Steinwehr Ave.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Founded in June 1973, “Tommy’s” is owned and operated by third generation Greeks. They are open 7 days a week, 11am to either 11pm or 12am depending on the day of the week. This is the most popular pizza restaurant in Gettysburg. They have a most impressive array of delicious Greek-style pizza, salads, subs, and gyros. But it the inspiring assortment of Fresh craft beer, especially their variety of fresh DIPAs and Imperial IPAs, that draws the 4PAX to this delightful neighborhood bar. Tommy’s offers ten curated taps of the kind of Fresh beers / Fresh DIPAs we like to drink. They also have Crowlers and Growler fills available.
Holy Hound Taproom
57 W. Market St.
York, PA 17401
The Holy Hound Taproom features 30 rotating Fresh craft beers on tap, including Fresh DIPAs, a wide range of bottles, a variety of single malt scotch and small batch bourbon, and live music throughout the week. The “Hound” offers a wide variety of great food. Housed in the lower level of the beautifully restored National House Hotel in downtown York, the Hound is a casual, eclectic, and earthy place to drink, eat, and listen to great live music. The 4PAX stumbled across this terrific neighborhood taproom by accident one afternoon while searching for a brewpub near the Hound that reportedly brewed an excellent DIPA. Upon arrival at the brewpub, the 4PAX discovered they had run out of their “Flagship Brew” owing to an unusually busy weekend. Based upon the brewpubs recommendation, the 4PAX were redirected to the Hound. Especially noteworthy about the Hound was that during the 4PAX 2-hour visit, there was only one bartender who served both food and drink to well over 25 customers on a busy rotating basis. She was the epitome of efficiency – no customer had to wait more than a few minutes for service.
The Brass Tap—Craft Beer Bar
1205 W. Mt. Royal Ave,
Baltimore, MD
https://www.brasstapbeerbar.com/baltimore
In 2007, three business partners and friends from the restaurant world created a vision for the “Ultimate Beer Bar.” They recognized the explosive growth in the craft beer market and appreciated the simplicity of operating a beer bar verses a full-service restaurant and began creating The Brass Tap. In October 2008, The Brass Tap’s first location opened in the Shoppes at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, Florida and was soon followed by a second location in the Brandon Town Center in Brandon, Florida in October 2010. The Brass Tap Baltimore opened in January 2017. The 4Pax visited this tap room on June 13th, 2018 and, in their opinion, this is the best tap room they have experienced to date. The decor is an upscale sports bar, classic appearance with numerous Hi-Definition, large flat screens for viewing. Long bar with stools plus plenty of tables & chairs for dinning. Large selection of beers—61 on tap when the 4Pax visited (11 were Double IPAs). Extensive food menu selections that are nicely plated. Good background music. The University of Baltimore and a high-end design school surround The Brass Tap Baltimore—accordingly the crowd will likely be quite diverse. Parking is limited, so it is best to find on-street parking.