With its variety of breweries and eateries, Ephrata has no shortage of options available for residents to drink local this holiday season! Find out where you can buy the best beers, wines, and liquors in the borough.
This blog was written and published before PA released new COVID-19 restrictions on December 10th. To read the latest rules and guidelines regarding restaurants, go to Governor Wolf’s website.
Make spirits bright by purchasing local beer, wine, and liquor for all your holiday needs! With so many fantastic restaurants and breweries in the borough, there’s no better time to support local businesses than during the holiday season.
Whether you plan on getting a few friends together for a Christmas crawl or want some libations for that virtual holiday gathering, we have rounded up five of our favorite spots for you to consider purchasing alcohol from for all of your festivities.
Eat, drink, and be merry at Hillside Public House! With a wide range of beers, spirits, and mixed drinks, Hillside has everything you need to get into the holiday mood. In addition to their twelve rotating beers on tap, Hillside offers an assortment of cans from breweries around the state. They also carry five different wines from Grandview Winery, which is based in Mount Joy. Hillside serves specialty cocktails using vodka, gin, and rum from Hillside Spirits as well as whiskey and bourbon from Lititz distiller, Stoll and Wolfe. If you decide to eat there, we suggest ordering the spiked Hillside Coffee with peppermint cream for something extra special this holiday season.
Spread some cheer with a beer from St. Boniface Brewing Company! St. Boniface offers a variety of year-round, seasonal, and limited edition brews that are crafted in-house. Stop by to enjoy a draft, grab some cans, or fill up a growler! While you’re there, we recommend trying their seasonal Black Currant Stout. With its roasty, smooth sweetness, this one might best be enjoyed at home in the ambiance of the Christmas tree.
It’s the most wonderful time for a beer! Luckily, Pour Man’s Brewing Co. has quite a few brews on tap. Swing on by for some fine quality craft beers, ciders, and wine pours. If you would prefer to do a tasting at home, no problem! Pour Man’s offers 4-packs, cases, crowlers, and growler fills (depending on the beer). Off their current draft list, we recommend Tasties You Chompin, an American stout brewed with a six-malt blend and aged with raspberries. As the name implies, it’s pretty tasty.
Are you dreaming of a white Christmas or a red one? Weathered Vineyards Ephrata Tasting Room & Wine Bar at the Historic Smithton Inn has a wide collection of both white and red wines so no matter your preference, you’ll find something you love. They also serve local beers and cocktails made with Thistle Finch craft spirits. Enjoy a glass of wine by their fireplace or buy a bottle to enjoy in your own home! You can even make purchases online for curbside pickup seven days a week. We recommend that you try their Red Wine Hot Chocolate or Mulled Wine. Both bring all the flavors of Christmas into one cup.
Have yourself a hoppy holiday at Black Forest Brewery! Serving true, tavern ales that are made on-premises behind the 1777 Americana Inn, Black Forest has become a local favorite since opening in 2009. In addition to their craft brews, Black Forest also serves a selection of wines from Allegro Winery, a signature sangria, and a few featured cocktails using vodka from Faber Distillery. For a beer recommendation, we suggest their Shreck Tavern Stout at 5.5% ABV. If you want to try something a bit stronger and sweeter, order The Backpack — a stout served with one shot of either vanilla or chocolate vodka.
Whether you plan to host a COVID-conscious Christmas crawl or need some beers, wines, and spirits to enjoy by your fire, Ephrata has plenty of local options available for you to choose from this holiday season.
If you want to gift someone a bottle or brew but are overwhelmed by all of these great options, consider buying an Ephrata Local eGift card! This one card can be used at any participating restaurant or retailer in the borough, which allows for more variety. Many of the establishments mentioned above are participating merchants.
Cheers to drinking local!