Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania: A Craft Beer Destination

Craft beer has exploded in the past few years, and craft beer vacations are also more popular than ever. Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania was an unexpected stop on a recent road trip from New York City to Ohio, and I will definitely be back to enjoy the other breweries and the relaxed, historic area more fully.

Turkey Hill Brewing Company

Turkey Hill Brewing Company is housed in a huge, beautiful wood structure designed to look like a cross between an old mill and elegant barn. The two stories hold two dining areas with plenty of space between tables that make the entire layout feel spacious yet cozy. A few nooks and a centerpiece bar on the second floor provide great places for hanging out if you are only there to try their variety of microbrews and listen to live music on the weekends. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful in recommending beers based on our likes and helping us decide between entrees.

We tried several beers that were all tasty and most importantly, were not watered down like more than one microbrew pub I have tried. Their menu features a variety of ½ pound Barn Burgers, like their Brewhouse burger made with Lightstreet Porter BBQ sauce, cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses, and applewood bacon. They also serve up flatbread pizzas and plenty of other sandwiches and wraps. I ordered the Cricket's Cheese Steak Sandwich because, when in Pennsylvania, I feel like eating Phillies, or in this case, Philly-like sandwiches, is a must. The roasted red peppers made this sandwich unique with just a hint of sweetness also due to the caramelized onions. And the horseradish dijonaise was excellent too.

Other Breweries

Bloomsburg is a great home base for those wanting to visit the four breweries nearby: Marley's Brewery and Grille, Old Forge Brewing Company, and Berwick Brewing. Marley's has an extensive menus for lunch and dinner like a variety of sandwiches, pasta dishes, wraps, and entrees. Marley refers to their dog mascot, and many of their beers have dog in the name, like Dog Runner Red and Guard Dog Porter. Old Forge Brewing Company has a massive sandwiches menu, including hot, cold, burgers, specialty grilled cheeses, and wraps. It's what a brewpub should be with handcrafted beers, beer taps, and furniture. And Berwick, formerly a brewery only, now serves mainly pizza, like their Steve-O Inferno with habanero hot sauce and jalapenos. They also have baked pretzels and Hungarian Kielbasa.

Lodging at The Inn at Turkey Hill

The Inn at Turkey Hill is a perfect hideaway tucked away in the unassuming Bloomsburg, PA next door to the Turkey Hill Brewing Co. A mix of bed-and-breakfast style rooms, suites with interior whirlpools, and spacious rooms with sitting areas surrounding the courtyard and duck pond are designed to like a country-style home. The vibe is welcoming and relaxed, just begging you to sleep in before enjoying your hot breakfast entrée, like fresh-made quiche, included with your stay. For dinner, you have two choices: fine dining at the inn in one of their three dining rooms or the more casual Turkey Hill Brewing Co. located right next door. The inn's dinner menu changes often, with choices like smoked trout, cornmeal crusted oysters, and kangaroo. Executive Chef Matthew Revak graduated from Johnson & Wales and creates dishes that use fresh, seasonal ingredients from several nearby farms.

Overall, Bloomsburg's location makes it a great long weekend, road-trip getaway from several major cities, being just about three hours from New York City, 2.5 hours from Philadelphia, and four hours from Pittsburgh.