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Beer finder: 3 brewpubs to visit in Lititz


Having annual celebrations of chocolate, chili and pretzels makes Lititz one cool small town. Another reason Lititz is a great place to be? Craft beer drinkers can discover new beers and indulge in favorites at three different brewpubs, all within easy walking distance of Main Street.


Bulls Head Public House


Attached to General Sutter Inn, with sidewalk seating in warm weather, Bulls Head is an "authentic British pub," meaning you order food, like Scotch eggs and Cornish pasties, at the bar. Bulls Head offers a traditional English breakfast every Saturday that includes baked beans, rashers and grilled tomatoes. The atmosphere is cozy and casual, with a chalkboard menu of beers hanging next to the gleaming bar.


Carson Kegerreis, the bar manager at Bulls Head, is proud not only of the selection of beers from around the world, but also of the cask-conditioned beer they serve. According to Kegerreis, Paul Pendyck, owner of UK Brewing and buyer for Bulls Head, is "single-handedly responsible for the popularity of cask beers." Cask-conditioned beers are served at seller temperature, about 50 to 54 degrees, and pulled through a hand-pump. He said, "The beer is warmer, but not warm." Cask-conditioned beers are also a little less carbonated.


Kegerreis explains that all bartenders are trained to suggest beers that pair well with their menu selections, or to offer suggestions to patrons who want to try something new. This week, he says visitors can look forward to Harvieston Brewery's Ola Dubh, which has been aged in oak casks that previously held single malt Scotch, and gives the chocolatey, bittersweet beer a whiskey note.


At Bulls Head, the focus is on the beer. Kegerreis wants to people to enjoy the pub environment and "drink the beer, talk about the beer, and spend time with one another." He's quick to point out, however, that you don't have to be a craft beer lover to come to Bulls Head. "We don't want people to think we're stuffy," he said, explaining that they are just as happy to serve someone a Miller Lite as they are an English ale. "We want people to be comfortable, even if they're not familiar with craft beer."


JoBoy's Brew Pub 


Across Main Street from Bulls Head Public House sits the newest brewpub in Lititz, JoBoy's. Jeff Harless and his wife, Jo, originally opened JoBoy's in Manheim in 2010, but relocated to Lititz in 2014.


They serve up authentic Southern-style barbecue, in addition to their own beer, brewed on the premises. JoBoy's beers, which include Lititz Springs Lager and Hoppy Blonde, are brewed to pair well with their barbecue dishes. In fact, JoBoy's menus will soon indicate which beer to drink with each menu item.


In addition to the brewpub, JoBoy's now has a genuine Speakeasy, where a beer dinner will be hosted over the winter. According to Harless, "We followed that theme from day one. You have to buzz the door three times to get in. Someone answers you through a peephole and asks for a password." The Speakeasy features the building's original walls from 1902. Unlike the family-friendly restaurant above ground, the downstairs Speakeasy is only for patrons 21 years and older.


Harless says JoBoy's will soon offer their Christmas ale, named Oden's ale, which has been aging for a little over a year. It will be available on tap and in 22 oz. bottles. The Imperial ale has notes of cinnamon and coriander. They'll also be bringing back their popular Double Hoptitude, a double IPA, with 110 IBU and 9% ABV.


Appalachian Brewing Co.


Appalachian Brewing Co. sits just a few blocks away from Main Street, in a former paper-box factory, with exposed brick and honey-colored timber surrounding the restaurant. In warm weather, diners can sit on the deck that overlooks Lititz Run, the small, but picturesque, creek that feeds the pools and fountains at Lititz Springs Park.
Like it's Harrisburg counterpart, the Lititz ABC brewpub offers its popular flagship beers, as well as seasonal ones. Grinnin' Grizzly, an amber ale available on draft, brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and fresh orange zest, is available during the holidays. Another ABC beer that's suited to cold weather is their Chocolate Avenue Stout, with notes of chocolate and espresso.


If you go


Bulls Head Public House
14 East Main St.
Free parking is available in select locations.
Metered parking is available on the street.


JoBoy's Brew Pub
27-31 East Main St.
Free parking is available in select locations.
Metered parking is available on the street.


Appalachian Brewing Co.
55 North Water St.
Ample parking available in lot.