Five must-try York County eateries for food and craft beer

In honor of beer, here are some great eateries we've tested out and – again a coincidence: They serve great craft beer.

Warehouse Gourmet Bistro and Brew Pub

A former cigar factory with a contemporary exposed brick décor downstairs and a sweet little pub upstairs is great for a date night or group outing in the restaurant or a place to just sit back and sip a glass and chat up the bartender upstairs. The menu has a few mainstays (the Dilled Tomato Soup, $4, is a savory classic) along with its own craft beer. An all-day menu features sandwiches, salads, appetizers and a few entrees; the pub menu includes personal pizzas, chicken wings, nachos; and the seasonal downstairs dinner menu spotlights entrees cooked up by chef Ty Lowe. Each week, a soup, sandwich, salad, entrees and desserts are featured. "We're really specials-driven here," Lowe said. "People order things off the menu, but a pretty big percentage order the specials." 7 Pennsylvania Ave., Hanover. Hours for downstairs bistro: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; upstairs pub: 11:30 a.m. to midnight Tuesday through Saturday. Alcohol: Several craft beer selections made on-site; wine available from Allegro Winery, Reid's Orchard and Adams County Winery. Credit cards accepted. 717-451-9898.

- Jess Krout

Wyndridge Farm's Tasting Room

Dining in the Tasting Room feels like eating at a country club, except in a barn. A very upscale barn. From the moment you arrive at the farm, you're greeted by a massive, iron chandelier hanging from the barn's tall ceiling. Hosts take names and cellphone numbers and give you an approximate wait time. Inside the tasting room is a bar on one side with a view of the kitchen, tables on the other with views of the property, a fireplace, French doors leading to the brewery and a flat-screen TV. Wyndridge serves its own craft beer, craft cider and wine. The menu reflects the farm's elegance. From brick-fired pizzas to Spring Lamb Lollipops, there is more here than just a "taste." I ordered the South Pleasant Salad, the Slow-Cooked Short Rib Tacos -- three mini soft-shell tacos stuffed with rib meat and topped with Wyndridge's barbecue sauce. A sweet, soft apple jicama slaw was served on the side of the plate. I added Shaved Brussels Sprouts ($4), which arrived in a large bowl with maple bacon and aged balsamic vinegar, topped with Parmesan. 885 S. Pleasant Ave., Dallastown. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Credit cards accepted. 717-244-9900

- Jess Krout

Mexitaly Brick Oven Brewhouse

There's pizza. There's burritos. There's fish tacos, my personal favorite. And, there's so much more. Owner Greg Skirboll wants customers to know the "more" tastes fabulous, too. Gourmet pizza is a specialty. The Mexitaly pizza comes recommended. It's made with salsa instead of pizza sauce. For a York County girl who appreciates meat and potatoes, this cheese and bean gourmet pizza is one I've enjoyed — and one I would order again. The beans provide plenty of protein and fresh ingredients are packed into every bite. "It's not as if we are a pizza joint and everything else is filler," Skirboll said. Beyond pizza, there's a wide variety of options from salads to chimichangas to quesadillas. And There's a microbrewery inside Mexitaly. So, after you order your food at the front counter, swing by the bar. Mexitaly's brewmaster makes drinkable beers, meaning nothing is too hoppy or heavy. Most have a clean taste. Up to eight are on tap at a time. I favor the Blood Orange Hefeweizen and the Vanilla Porter (Blackberry Vanilla currently on tap is also a nice choice). 2440 E. Market St., York (Springettsbury Township). Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays and Mondays; 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tuesdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Credit cards accepted. 717-600-8226.

- Ashley May

Altland House

Former President Dwight Eisenhower used to stop at Altland House in Abbottstown on the way to his Gettysburg farm. And when he did, he would order the chicken and waffles, a dish the restaurant has served for more than 100 years. The inn was built in 1790 and to this day, hosts travelers. In addition to guest rooms, the building is home to a downstairs pub, featuring live entertainment and pub fare; an upstairs grill, offering fine dining; and a banquet room for special events, corporate meetings, rehearsal dinners and the like. In the last year, house beers have been added, including Altland House Red, Altland House APA, The Alt German Altbier and German Chocolate Imperial Stout. Some of the brews are also featured in menu items like the Braised Short Ribs ($18.50) and Braised IPA Stroganoff ($15). 1 Center Square, Abbottstown. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Credit cards accepted. 717-259-9535.

- Jess Krout

Great American Saloon

The place is part old timey saloon, part casual upscale dining, part hunter trophy case and antique collection. The quirky décor possesses an authenticity the chains can't replicate, try as they might. First of all, I've never seen so much taxidermy outside of a national history museum. Everywhere you look, deer heads, stuffed ducks, geese, foxes and rabbits. And at this time of year, who can resist hanging glass ornaments on the antlers of an elk or putting a Santa hat on a coyote? General manager Athena Kearis said her father and his hunting buddies gave the decorative items to the restaurant. "I guess their wives had enough of them," she joked. The menu is wide-ranging with craft beer and specialty drinks from the bar as well as pastas, seafood, burgers and sandwiches, chicken and steak entrees and a creative array of appetizers. 20 Dairyland Square, Red Lion. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; 4-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4-11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Credit cards accepted. 717-246-9548.

- Wade Malcolm