Breweries in Gettysburg, PA: A Local's Guide to the Best Craft Beer in Town
Breweries in Gettysburg, PA: A Local's Guide to the Best Craft Beer in Town
After a full day walking the battlefield or browsing the shops on Lincoln Square, there's no better way to wind down than with a locally brewed pint. Gettysburg's craft beer scene has grown from a single brewpub into a genuine destination, with historic settings, orchard-fresh cider, and a county-wide beverage trail tying it all together. Here's our guide to the best breweries in and around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Fourscore Beer Co.
Tucked just a block off the tourist strip at 603 S. Washington Street, Fourscore Beer Co. has quickly become a local favorite. The taproom pours 18 rotating draft lines alongside a scratch-made kitchen turning out sharables, sandwiches, and salads designed to pair with the beer. The name, of course, nods to the Gettysburg Address, and the whole space leans into that blend of history and hospitality. Grab a seat on the outdoor patio in warmer months, or settle into the handsome indoor taproom and work your way through the rotation. It's an easy ten-minute walk from the town square, which makes it a perfect late-afternoon stop between sightseeing and dinner.
Appalachian Brewing Company – Gettysburg Battlefield
Set against the battlefield itself at 259 Steinwehr Avenue, Appalachian Brewing Company is the town's most established brewpub. The spacious dining rooms and outdoor beer garden serve ABC's full lineup of handcrafted ales and lagers, plus a menu of pub classics that draws families fresh off the battlefield tour buses. Don't miss the "Schwemmer," a walk-up beer and soda window in the beer garden, where you can grab a house root beer or a pint without leaving the sunshine. With hours running from 11am daily, it's also the most reliable lunch-and-a-beer option in town when other breweries keep limited hours.
Battlefield Brew Works & Spirits of Gettysburg Distillery
For atmosphere, nothing in Gettysburg tops Battlefield Brew Works. The brewery operates out of the historic Monfort Farm at 248 Hunterstown Road, a preserved 18th-century barn that served as a Confederate field hospital during the battle. Inside, you'll find small-batch lagers, IPAs, ales, and stouts alongside house-distilled spirits from the adjoining Spirits of Gettysburg Distillery. It's an experience as much as a drink stop: sip a cold beer inside a timber-frame barn that predates the battle itself, surrounded by history on all sides. Hours are limited, typically Thursday through Sunday, so check their website before heading out.
Ploughman Cider Taproom
Technically cider rather than beer, but no craft beverage guide to Gettysburg is complete without Ploughman Cider. The taproom sits right on Lincoln Square at 14 Lincoln Square in the heart of downtown, "telling the story of Adams County agriculture one glass at a time." The fruit is grown on Adams County orchards, including their own Aspers farm, and the results range from crisp and dry to bold and fruity. Ploughman also hosts live original music every Thursday through Saturday evening, making it the liveliest evening hangout on the square. Even dedicated hop-heads should make room for a flight here.
Thirsty Farmer Brew Works
If you have a car, the short drive into the Adams County countryside is worth it. Thirsty Farmer Brew Works sits among the rolling hillsides and farmlands outside Biglerville, about twenty minutes from Gettysburg, and brings "a modern revival of farming to the craft beverage industry." They keep nine consistent beers on tap, each true to its origins, from German-style lagers to American ales. The relaxed farm setting makes it a great half-day excursion, especially when you pair it with a stop at one of the fruit farm markets along the way. Their annual ThirstyPalooza festival each summer brings live music and local brews together for a full weekend of fun.
The Adams County Pour Tour
Can't decide where to start? Destination Gettysburg runs the Adams County Pour Tour, a free digital passport that connects the region's wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries into one self-guided trail. You collect a digital stamp at each stop and earn prizes along the way, and the trail doubles as a great way to discover beverage makers you'd never find on your own. It's the ideal structure for a weekend built around Gettysburg's craft beverage scene.
A Few Tips for Your Gettysburg Brewery Hop
- Walk the square, drive the countryside. Fourscore, Ploughman, and Appalachian Brewing are all within easy reach of downtown. Battlefield Brew Works and Thirsty Farmer are a short drive, so plan a rideshare or a Designated Driver.
- Check hours before you go. Several Gettysburg breweries operate on limited schedules, especially in the off-season.
- Eat where you drink. Fourscore and Appalachian Brewing both run full kitchens, which makes them the best one-stop options.
- Take some home. Most locations offer crowlers or growlers so you can bring a taste of Gettysburg back with you.
Stay With Us at The Getty House
The best brewery weekend starts with a great place to sleep it off. The Getty House is a boutique bed and breakfast in the heart of Gettysburg, just minutes from every taproom on this list. Wake up to a homemade breakfast, walk to dinner and a cider on Lincoln Square, and let us help you plan a Pour Tour route that fits your stay. Whether you're here for the history, the beer, or both, we'd love to host you. Book your Gettysburg getaway at thegettyhouse.com today. Cheers!
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