9 Poconos Breweries and Wineries Worth Visiting Now
From beer to wine (to cider to sake!), the best of what’s fermenting in the mountains.
Wallenpaupack Brewing Co., one of several must-try Poconos breweries and wineries. Photograph by Natalie Chitwood
Log Tavern Brewing
Pike
This creekside brewery has more than a dozen options — including a fruity NEIPA, an easy-drinking lager, and one seriously refreshing cider — on tap, plus fresh-baked pretzels and pizzas. Milford; logtavernbrewing.com.
RAW Urban Winery
Monroe
Everyone can drink liberally at this in-the-city micro winery, which boasts an expansive selection of vinos and hard ciders that are served vegan and gluten-free. Stroudsburg; rowanasherwinery.com.
Barley Creek Brewing Company
Monroe
Kids can enjoy the “Pint Sized Park” — complete with Wiffle Ball stadium and inflatable bounce houses — while parents down refreshing house-made beers and barbecue. Tannersville; barleycreek.com.
Sango Kura
Monroe
Come to sample the four bright, bold varieties at PA’s only sake brewery. Stay for izakaya fare (scratch ramen, sushi) served in a converted diner with a bustling outdoor space. Delaware Water Gap; sangokurasake.com.
Wallenpaupack Brewing Co.
Wayne
Beer nerds know this is one of the state’s best breweries, and the big tables and kids’ food menu make it family-friendly. For something different, try the pink guava IPA. Hawley; wallenpaupackbrewingco.com.
Galen Glen Winery
Schuylkill
A sunny afternoon at this family-run vineyard, about 25 minutes from Jim Thorpe, will find you tasting award-winning riesling and cabernet franc — our pick for a juicy red — by female winemakers. Andreas; galenglen.com.
Downriver Brewing Company
Monroe
Downriver, just off Stroudsburg’s Main Street, boasts an impressive mix of flagship and seasonal beers brewed in the same room you quaff ’em. (Also featured in that room: axe throwing.) Don’t leave without a crowler of their West Coast/New England IPA hybrid Dudetron. Stroudsburg; downriverbrewing.com.
Here & Now Brewing Company
Wayne
Taps change almost daily at this funky spot. Saisons and IPAs are brewed through a seven-barrel steam system and served alongside elevated twists on traditional bar fare. Honesdale; hereandnowbrewing.com.
Banter’s Hard Cider
Monroe
Forget everything you know about hard cider and head to Banter’s tap room to sample “Uncle” Steve Brancato’s quaffs that nod to mojitos, limeade and even fireball, though straighter ciders—we like their excellent Bone extra dry—are also recommended. Stroudsburg; bantershardcider.com.
Published as “Get Yourself to a Brewery (or Winery)” in the “We’re Going to the Poconos!” guide in the June 2021 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
