It has been a few months since local craft beer lovers were able to flock to a new brewery to show their support for our local community.
Now, tap hunters and casual drinkers alike will be able to find classic solid beers at Harty Brewing Co. in Mechanicsburg when they cut the ribbon to their tasting room this Friday at 5:30 p.m. (Harty also is open today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Lauren and Mike Harty, who have three kids (3, 7 and 9), will have five beer styles on tap that will be sure to please any beer drinker. I would suggest grabbing a sampler ($12) to decide what your next full pint is going to be.
Here’s their starting 5:
Hefeweizen
Now normally I’m not a fan of hefeweizens. The banana and clove usually turn me off right away. Harty’s, however, has an upfront bubble gum flavor and minimal clove on the back end. It’s light and refreshing.
American Pale Ale
This was the resounding favorite and seemed to be the most popular throughout the building. It has a great balance of hop flavor and bitterness with a spot on malt build that lends it a little to the sweeter side. This beer will please all.
IPA
Harty’s IPA stays to a little sweeter side of the IPA spectrum. It entices your tongue with the sweetness, then bites you with the bitterness at the end.
Oatmeal Stout
Second place in book. It had the creaminess you would expect that is rounded out by a great chocolate sweetness that is backed up by roasted and toasted notes. Perfect for this time of the year.
Belgian Blonde Ale
Smooth, easy drinking with a little bit of fruit towards the end that is refreshing and crisp. It’s a beer than I could drink all day.
Harty’s tasting room fits neatly into the picturesque street that seems straight out of Pleasantville. The white walls with the exposed brick give the small space a cozy and homey feeling.
If you’re unfamiliar with the area, just trust your GPS. It will seem like you’re being lead into a scene from Friday the 13th until you turn onto that movie-like street.
If you look behind the bar you will see the entire brewhouse. Right now, Mike, head-brewer and chemical engineer at TMI, is only working with a 1.5 barrel system. He has eight fermenters to keep pace with the demand of beer.
Harty does not offer any food. Sophia’s, their next door neighbor who catered the night, will be putting together a specialized tapas menu for take out.
Big Hill Cider, included in your sampler, and wines from Grandview and Sevens Mountain are also available in their tasting room.
Harty Brewing Co. will be open:
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays
- 6-11 p.m. Fridays
- 1-11 p.m. Saturdays.
Having a new brewery is always exciting and there is no doubt that this brewery is worth the trip.
Be sure to tag us and Harrisburg Beer Week if you are going to check it out!
