Kclinger's Publik House

Bar, Eatery

895 Old Trail Road
Etters, Pennsylvania, 17319
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.58
Reviews:
15
Ratings:
15
pDev:
7.42%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of akorsak
Reviewed by akorsak from Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -19.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
There have been rumors if the impending demise of Kclinger's Publick House circulating on this website (full disclosure: I have contributed to some of these rumors), so I figure I better post a review.

History: I have business in Harrisburg. As a result, I have had the pleasure of eating at Kclinger's often. In the past the beer selection was to die for. I was introduced to Westy (8 and 12), Rochefort, Victory V-12 and JW Lee's Harvest Ale (on tap, natch) here. Kclinger's Publick House is my go-to in the York-Harrisburg area.

Atmosphere: We (wife, brother and brother's g/f) went on Monday night (12/26/05) and sat in the basement bar. Decent atmosphere, the skeleton in the floor is a nice touch, as is the chalkboard beer listing (draught only). The crowd featured those looking to get drunk (not us) and those looking to have a good drink and conversation (us).

Quality: Kclinger's Beer List quality is without rival. Pages upon pages of delicious mixtures of water, malt, hops, yeast and adjuncts. I've never had a problem with the quality here.

Service: Shoddy. Christ-almighty, our waiter needed to be hand-held through the draught beer ordering process. We ordered the following drinks (all of which were on tap, as evidenced by the chalkboard): Liefman's Kriekbier, Avery Old Jubilation, Lancaster Strawberry Wheat and Lancaster Hop Hog. After ordering each, we had to verbally confirm (i.e., I want the third beer from the bottom on the chalkboard) with the waiter. Historically, I've had decent service, but nothing to get excited about.

Selection: Normally, Kclinger's would rate a solid '5' on selection. However, since rumors of its closing have begun to swirl, I've noticed a drop-off in the selection. No Liefman's frambozen, no Saison de Pipaix? I guess I can live with that, but it gets frustrating. The tap selection is better than any restaurant I've been to, so a 4.5 will have to suffice.

Food: Not shabby. Last visit, we had wings that were FANTASTIC. The nachos had about 2 pounds more velveeta than was necessary though. I'd also recommend the filet as a highlight of the menu.

Final Verdict: I beg that the powers that be spare Kclinger's Publick House, that or make a firm decision.
Dec 29, 2005
Photo of Phatz
Reviewed by Phatz from Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +2.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Simply put. This is the best beer selection I have ever seen in a PA bar. I'm sure it exists other places too but as a homegrown Lancaster County resident, I have never seen a phone book (small directory of course) size beer menu. I have been here several times and always found beer I couldn't find anywhere else. The food and service are good. It seems to have a tendency to be over crowded and loud, but it’s a worthwhile price to pay for the beer selection. If you are just going for the beer, I'd suggest going down stairs tends to be less crowded. If you want the party atmosphere the go to the main level bar.

----
EDIT
You can also get beer to go. They will let you buy individual bottles and make up your own six packs. With their selection, it is better than going to store anyway.
---


Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!
Dec 24, 2005
Photo of ggaughan
Reviewed by ggaughan from Pennsylvania

4.78/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
What a great place this is. I found out about this place as my in-laws live 10 minutes from here. The first few times I went here I got a few six packs to go (with a great 40% discount!) and got some great finds. I have pulled a Russian River Damnation, Westy 8 and 12, various Chapeu's and other great Belgian's. Their beer menu is amazing and a must read. I bought one and still find things in there that I haven't tried but put on my list the next time I go there. They have a great beer passport club which has alot of cool milestones to meet based on the beers you drink. I wish I lived closer so that I could get further along in the club.

They also have or had a great connection with Rogue. I have pulled most of the Rogue 15th anniversary bottles from here and even a special Rogue bottle made for Kclinger's.

The food at Kclinger's is also very good and not just bar food. They have a soup made with Rogue Dead Guy which is tasty and so are their sandwiches and fries.

If you go here, make sure you check out the Rogue bottle display case on the main level before you get to the bar and also look at the cool wallpaper in the bathroom...great beers!
Nov 25, 2005
Photo of diakron
Reviewed by diakron from Pennsylvania

4.94/5  rDev +7.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Kclinger's is an outstanding establishment. The tap and bottle selections are extensive to the point of bafflement, and temperatures on the tap lines and in the coolers are meticulously regulated. The atmosphere and layout are clean and inviting... all that's missing is the bed to bunk in after you've had a couple too many. Prices are fair, and many very good beers can be had for $3.25-3.75 per pint. The service is excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable. Central PA is privileged to be the home of such a complete beer bar.
Aug 01, 2005
Photo of tgbljb
Reviewed by tgbljb from Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Stopped on the way back back from vacation with my family (wife and 2-16 vear olds). The place was almost empty at 3PM on a Sunday afternoon. Service was great and the waiter was very helpful. Nice food selection (we ordered a variety of sandwiches and a pizza) and everyone was happy with their meal. I ordered the beer sampler from their on-tap menu, but one keg was "kicked " the night before and I had to order something else. Their on-tap selection was excellent with many varieties and acceptable pricing. They had an extensive bottle selection and when I asked about pricing I was told there was a discount for take-out that varied with the beer. An enjoyable palce with nice atmosphere that I wiil return to.
Jun 06, 2005
Photo of beergeek279
Reviewed by beergeek279 from Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Atmopshere: KClinger's is off I-83 about 10 miles south of Harrisburg, in a building that doesn't much look like a bar (and in fact is a historic wheelhouse). Inside, some of the old stone can still be seen, along with a lot of wood. KClinger's has two bars, one on the ground floor and one downstairs. Upstairs is most of the dining space, and downstairs has the famous "Dead Guy" underneath the floor. Most of the people at KClinger's seem to genuinely know their beer, and though it's not much of a party bar (we were there on a Saturday night, and it wasn't too party-ish), though I suppose a good crowd could show up for their decent blues-ish bar sets.

Quality/Selection: Where KClinger's really shines is in their beer selection. Between their two bars, they have over 60 different taps, including some exclusives commissioned for their customers who manage to go through 1000 beers. They also have 4 hand taps, though they usually only have 2 with something on, so they don't go flat. Ohh, and there's about 600-700 bottles for sale as well (and they even have their bottle list for sale!) KClinger's has just about every beer that could be found in Eastern PA, and they're a Rogue bar so just about any possible Rogue could be found, including this year's 15th Anniversary offerings (on tap, no less!). The prices were very reasonable, and less than I'm used to in some of the places I usually go to.

Service: The service at KClinger's actually manages to stand up to the selection. From the first moment we stepped in there and through all 3 of our visits in 2 days, everyone was really great to us. I'd especially like to thank Seth the bartender, as he was a great conversationalist and genuinely loved the beers that he was serving (ohh, and he asked us to give him a shout-out!).

Food: The food at KClinger's seemed to stand out quite a bit. In addition to the typical burgers/sandwiches/wings bar food, they had a nice, extensive menu of interesting entrees. I had both their chicken wings and a wonderful and juicy BBQ burger, and both were very enjoyable.

At times, I can be called a homer, but I'll honestly say that KClinger's stands above any individual bar in Pittsburgh and may well be the best bar in the whole state! With just so much selection, and excellent service, this is a place I'd very much like to have in my backyard, and if not then I'll certainly be heading back here in the future!!!
Jul 19, 2004
Photo of cupbeerman
Reviewed by cupbeerman from Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
I must admit, I was very pleasantly surprised when I walked
into this place. Located about 10 miles south of Downtown
Harrisburg, Kclinger's claims to have the best selection of
beers on the East Coast. While I don't know if this
statement is true, they definitely have one the best
selections in the state of PA.

This selection includes about sixty taps, two hand pumps and
about 600 bottles. These include many Belgians, mostly in
bottles. Kclinger's PH is one of the six (non Rogue-owned)
locations that will receive the Rogue 15th Anniversary beers,
both on draft and in bombers. All the beers that I tasted were
served at the correct temperature.

The service was very good during the times that we went
there; this includes both bar staff and waitstaff. The
beers was served quickly, and the food was very good as well.

The place has the atmosphere of a nice social drinking hall;
there was conversation between bar patrons, and the bartender
Seth made my brother and I feel like we were regulars there.

Overall this place is a must for any BA in PA or Maryland.
Jul 18, 2004
Photo of MsRogueRed
Reviewed by MsRogueRed from Colorado

3.88/5  rDev -15.3%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
For some reason, I just don't like this place. Again, it may be the atmosphere. I like darker, cozier bars/breweries.

I've been here for lunch and for dinner. Both times when I was at a table, service was very slow.

The beer selection is excellent, but if you can't get one served to you, it doesn't matter how great it is.

I don't have any plans to return in the near future. Also, if you go at night, take a flashlight because you might have to park very far back in their parking area and walk quite a distance.

I've been to the Hanover one and actually like it better because of the smaller venue.
May 22, 2004
Photo of 99bottles
Reviewed by 99bottles from Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
This is quite a place for someone who loves beer. Kclinger's Publik House sits just a mile or so off of I-83, right outside of Harrisburg. When you walk in, there is a spacious front hall that leads to either seating for the restaurant or splits off to a decent sized bar crammed with taps (probably 30). Behind the bar is a large cooler with hundreds of bottles for you to pick from. If you were to quickly turn left at the entrance, you can go downstairs to a more releaxed pub type setting, with a few little tables, a game room, and... another large bar with 30 or so different taps (ok, there's a few repeats, but let's not spilt hairs). The selection is incredible. Through some partnership with Rogue, this place always has about 10 different of their beers on tap. They also stock other locals (Victory, ABC, Stoudt's) and a large variety of imports. You'll even find some kegs that have traveled from microbreweries across the country, like Stone and Kalamazoo. And quite a few that have traveled the Atlantic. The place is fantastic. I can't say I've ever had more than a plate of nachos, but they were the best I''ve ever had. Shredded cheese on top of cheeze whiz ! Sounds gross but pleases your tummy as much as the beers. I'd imagine the rest of the food to be pretty good, but not gourmet. Servers are more knowledgeable than the average bartender, but that may not be enough to help you with a decision. The taps are listed on a large chalkboard downstairs, and there is usually one beer on cask down there also.
I love going to this place on Mondays, when it's happy hour all day. Prices are fair, and they let you mix 6 packs to go and get growlers for 9-12 bucks. Extenesive beer menu is provided, but needs some work on the Belgian section, as I could plainly see beers in the cooler that weren't on the menu. Great place to be. I wish I still lived 20 minutes away.
Mar 30, 2004
Photo of NeroFiddled
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Kclinger's is a beautiful, lodge-like restaurant/tavern on Old Trail Road just off of 83. It's a great roadside pub that offers an amazing selection of beers (12 taps are dedicated just to Rogue ales) as well as good service (little Jess is great, as well as everyone else) and good food. The menu is varied and a few examples stand out... Shrimp & Cheese Jalapeno appetizers for $8, Beer-B-Q-Chicken Pizza $9.50, Hot Seafood Salad $12, Carribean Swordfish $15, Jim's Chili $3 cup/$4 bowl (vegetarian). Pastas are basically build your own and served with garlic bread! You choose the shape, sauce, and toppings! My favorite is Farfalle with alfredo and scallops at $15. Some sandwiches are quite interesting including the Jabberwocky which combines salami, cappacola ham, pastrami, provolone and mozzarella baked on foccacia bread for just $6.50! They offer a kids menu as well, but be sure to avoid the weekend nights when it gets busy. The dining room is fairly sized and the fireplace and German-style picnic tables give it a definite, comfortable feel. There's a huge parking lot that allows for easy access on even the busiest Friday night, and I love this place and can't wait to get back!
Mar 28, 2004
Photo of 57andcounting
Reviewed by 57andcounting from Alabama

4.53/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
I get in here everytime I can. I try to go in the afternoon so I can get to the bar and try the many beers they have on tap and in bottles. They have up at least 40 different beers on tap. The Rogue Brewery selections are always great.

What I really like is the ability to select a mixed carryout from their hunderds of bottled beers from around the world. They also have a great seafood salad and crab cake.

The seating is a little open and can get noisey. I like to sit by the fire and injoy a few pints with my wife during an afternoon day off.
Mar 06, 2004
Photo of Fish113d
Reviewed by Fish113d from Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +4.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Okay, I first visited this little establishment in February 2004. I live about 15 minutes from the place and honestly never went there...okay, you can call me a dumbass later, but hey, I am pretty new to the whole "lovely beer drinking" experience, so don't beat me up over this one. The atmosphere is really low-key both upstairs and downstairs, and you get the feeling that only "real" beer drinkers come here for the same reasons I decided to go. I made the trip with my best buddy, and BA member, Sulldaddy, and another buddy, Ryan. We met up with some other BAs here Jarod, Jaysus, and Ed (sorry, don't know your membername)...great guys with great input. The food was pretty good. I had me a bacon cheese "pub" burger and fries. The bacon was a bit dry for my liking, but most people tend to like it crispy. Although, the burger was pretty darned good, and the french fries were to die for....ah, to kill your mother in law for! The choices Kclingers gives you on tap are pretty darn extensive within themselves. 2 beers on cask, one whic I forget the name, but we did find the Stone Arrogant Bastard on cask, which was totally awesome and had us excited!!!! The must have 20-30 taps downstairs and 15-20 upstairs...Now here is the best of what the place has to offer...The beer menu is more extensive than the lingerie section of the Sears Catalog, and has just about everything your heart could desire! In fact, maybe too many choices. We all walked out of the place with at least a built 6-pack or more, and were even allowed to "shop" for ourselves in the cooler, which was really really cool of the bartender (sorry, forget his name, but awesome guy and knows his shiznit). I would call Kclingers "My Blue Heaven" and may be my new favorite place. If interested in checking it out, ask me to meet you there and you got a new beer buddy!!!
Feb 03, 2004
Photo of sulldaddy
Reviewed by sulldaddy from Connecticut

4.6/5  rDev +0.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
WOW! I stopped at this place while visiting my mom for Christmas. Just walking in was amazing like 20-30 taps on the main floor with one cask and about another 20-30 taps and another cask downstairs.
Then onto the bottle selectio, the menu is like a small magazine. I spent more time picking brews than my food.
We were there for lunch so mostly sandwiches available. Had a nice beef barley soup and a turkey, ham bacon wrap. THe soup was great and the wrap was tasty too. Everyone in my group said the food was good, would be nice to go back to check the dinner variety.
Now back to the beer. Not only is the bottle menu incredible, but you can take out sixers of anything they have. You can mix them up as well, and you get like 40% off the menu price for the bottle. I walked out with two sixers and scored a 3 Floyds Alpha King, Bell's Kalamazoo Stout, Weyerbacher Raspberry Imperial Stout, Yards Love Stout, and Flying Fish Porter, just to name a few. Basically you can find tons of stuff there. They also had Troegs Mad Elf on tap and Stone Products in the cooler. Since this is only 20 minutes from my mom's place I will be here every time I am in town. Looking forward to reviewing some treats over the next week.

This is definintely a must stop if in the Harrisburg area.

EDIT...I have started to taste some of the brews I brought out and one of them was very old and had obviously aged poorly. Maybe 600+ bottles is too many to keep a fresh stock. So watch out for some of the less popular selections.
Dec 27, 2003
Photo of Edwin
Reviewed by Edwin from Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
60+ on tap and 700+ in bottles. What else do you need to know? I went to opening weekend last year, and have been there almost every weekend since. Great people, great beer, great music...just a fun place to go and watch the game or to gather with fellow beer connosieurs.
The layout of the place is beautiful. The main floor has a bar and a dining area. The bar is large, but not too large that the bartenders forget your face. 3 TVs behind the bar and one LARGE TV looming on the stage in the dining area. Bands play on the main floor. Live music almost nightly.
Downstairs is a more dark, cooler atmosphere with a completely different selection of taps and plenty more TVs to catch the Playoffs on their satellite system. There is a game room (no pool tables) and one of those great internet jukeboxes (almost ANY song you can imagine available to play).
I find the food to be great, but I am easily pleased. I have heard mixed reviews, but it is very good for the most part (and WAY better than the Hanover location). Anything from seafood to lite fare, and they will serve you pizza slices after the kitchen closes (until 1:30am or so). Try the Leon Haller and the Zydeco Charlie...they're absolutley fantastic!
The prices are very reasonable. Pints go from $3.00and up. Most are in the $3.50-4.00 range which is very good considering the selection and quality of the place.
This to me is the perfect bar...band too loud? Go downstairs. Feeling mellow? Head downstairs. Wanna jam to some open mic or Blues? Go upstairs. Every night is a different activity, so be sure to get a newsletter at the hostess station. Also, pick up the book to get your beers stamped the FIRST time you go in. They add up fast. I missed out for an entire YEAR and now am working hard to get to 120 different beers to get my mug and $1 off drafts.
They are building a brewery (the guys from Rogue are helping out) and will be opening a Bavarian Bar upstairs hopefully in a year or so.
Come on in and say hello. I'll be the short dude with the Dead Guy pint in front of me. Enjoy!
May 08, 2003
Photo of Jarod
Reviewed by Jarod from Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +2.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
When you first walk into this newly built establishment 3/2002, you have have a choice to head downstairs, go straight to the main level bar or go up to another level and deck (which I haven't seen as it is still winter here in PA) They have a store that sells shirts, glasses, etc. off to your right (did not go in, but looked in the window) to the left are tables and chairs to sit at, to the right there is the first set of taps at the bar 15 I believe and behind the bar is a fridge that holds single beers all craft type. Looked as if there were over 100 beers there. The bar seats about 20 people and there are also other stations (taps) that have craft beers. On the other side of this bar there was more seating and tv's. I asked for a menu of beers and was handed a large listing of over 700 beers to choose from, again all craft from all over the world. Down stairs there is a bar that has a totally different selection of tap craft beers from up stairs. There is a small game room and a large chalk board that lists the beers that are available. In the floor by the bar there is a see through floor that has a skeleton in a coffin holding a beer (in honor of Rogue Dead Man) There is plenty of seating and tables, the atmosphere is of dark wood, wood beams, like a lodge. They have a beer club that is available, they give you a book of there 700 beers and pages to list all the taps that you consume. They stamp each beer that you consume and after you reach certain #'s drank you get stuff and you name on a plaque.
Also they give a discount of 40% if you purchase 6 packs of beer, mixed or solids. VERY NICE !
A little off the beaten track but worth it, I will be making the trip frequently, maybe to eat some day.
Jan 14, 2003
Kclinger's Publik House in Etters, PA
Place rating: 4.58 out of 5 with 15 ratings