A History Lesson at Appalachian Brewing

Let's say you're touring the Gettysburg Battlefield and the heat is fairly brutal, which it usually is this time of the year. Not far from where the Confederates first stepped foot into the battlefield (just off of Buford Avenue) is an exquisite watering hole that not only brews its own beer, it provides you with a happy and full stomach.

As far as I've checked, Appalachian Brewing in Gettysburg features the most tapped brews (16 beers) at a time anywhere in town.

If you check out this place regularly, you'll notice that most of Appalachian Brewing's flagship brews are featured on tap as often as possible. These flagships include the infamous Mountain Lager (4.5 percent ABV), Water Gap Wheat (4.5 percent ABV) and Susquehanna Stout (4.6 percent ABV) just to name a few. If you're not in the mood for beer, be sure to try the homemade root, ginger and birch beers.

There is also some excellent food to pair your beers with at this place. If you're in the mood for a light lunch with whomever you're eating with, just grab a couple appetizers. I can vouch for both the pretzel logs, which comes with beer mustard to dip, and the Canadian Poutine, which is fries, gravy and cheese curds.

The menu also provides a wide selection of paninis and sandwiches. I've even been there at lunch and found numerous wraps and hoagies on a select lunch special menu.

If you want something heartier than that, the Brewer's Mac n' Cheese is the closest thing I've ever had to Rock Bottom's chicken mac n' cheese dish. Don't forget about the Mile-High Meatloaf or any of Appalachian's burgers.

I went with the BBQ Clucker sandwich.

You honestly can't go wrong here if you're a first-time visitor to Gettysburg. Go for lunch or dinner. Hell, One of the days last week in which I was there, I used up two of my meals at Appalachian Brewing. Appalachian is based in Harrisburg, but it also has pubs/restaurants in Collegeville and Camp Hill aside from this one in Gettysburg.

I've never had a beer that I didn't like from Appalachian. I wanted to get this write-up in as soon as I could before I started to review some of the beers I've tried. A few of them are among the best brews I've ever tasted.

I almost forgot to give you a brief history lesson I planned on sharing with you all. History is just feet from Appalachian Brewing's doorway. Arguably the most famous picture of the entire Civil War was taken just right across the street from the establishment, on Seminary Ridge.

The three Confederate prisoners stood next to what is now the stonewall as you turn onto Seminary Avenue.

All Roads Lead to Gettysburg

Tomorrow marks yet another one of my annual trips to Gettysburg National Military Park. Being the history buff that I am, I know that the saying "all roads lead to Gettysburg" held true on those three epic days in 1863. As easy as it was to fully concentrate an army in that day and age, it also appears that the town is also an excellent convergence point of fine beer and food.

McPherson barn along McPherson Ridge on the first day's field.

It gets pretty hot when you're east of the Blue Ridge and after a day of touring/studying some of America's most hallowed ground, you definitely want something refreshing towards the evening.

The town features some of the best period dining in all of Pennsylvania at both the Dobbin House Tavern, which features colonial-style items on its menu, and the Farnsworth House Inn, which gives patrons an 1863 dinner experience.

In terms of food, Gettysburg is in perfect position to dish out recipes from the Pennsylvania Dutch in the north as well as some Chesapeake seafood in the South.

As for beer, Troegs Brewing Company is right up the road in Harrisburg/Hershey. Troegs is arguably Pennsylvania's second most popular brewer, as well as my personal favorite, behind Yuengling & Son and will surely have most of the local bars stocked with many of my favorite brews.

Flying Dog Brewery is just to the South, out of Frederick. We also can't forget that just up Route 30 (or the Chambersburg Pike as we history buffs call it) is Hauser Estate Winery which provides the world with the infamous Jack's Hard Cider.

Appalachian Brewing Company has one of it's microbrewery/restaurants just off of Buford Avenue and right next to the house that General Robert E. Lee designated as his headquarters. There's plenty to eat and drink in Gettysburg.

This week might be somewhat abbreviated in terms of posts since I'm embarking on this trip. I will try to have a beer review for tomorrow's post and will try to document as much as possible the food and drink I come across while out east. Make sure you're tuning into my Twitter feed this weekend while I'm there. I'll also try to incorporate some of what I experience into a post or two for next week.