Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing

Fish113d

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

Stopped in at Al's today for the 1st time, even though this place is literally 5.7 miles from my house. I almost never knew it was there! Crazy.

Anyways, upon entering this small italian pizza shop/eatery, there are about 10 tables lining the walls and high-top square tables scattered throughout the restaurant. A large cold drink cooler stands containing 6-packs and I even think some domestic 12-packs if i remember correctly. Along another wall is a cold drink cooler containing single bottles that you can make a mixed-6 pack for $13 (aside from the 22 oz bottles and "top shelf" brews). Fairly decent selection in those coolers, and I actually was able to make a 6-pack of all beers i have never had, which is getting harder and harder to do.

There are also 20+ brews to choose from that you can enjoy on tap, on cask (3 beers on cask), as well as you can fill growlers (your own, or you can either purchase one or use a returnable growler (I think). Two flat screen TVs display all the offerings on draft for drinking or filling a 1L or 2L growler, which is a nice feature rather than the usual chalkboard. They even use BA ratings in their board, which is a nice feature. Not ONE BEER has a BA rating less than a B (which shows they have quality brew). Prices are a bit steep, anywhere from $11 (Troegs hopback, which is local) for a 2L growler fill to $26 for a more rare treat (The Southern Tier Chokolat Imperial stout). I chose to make a mixed-6er to keep myself from spending $20 or so to fill a growler, but even after making my 6er, one of the beautiful young ladies behind the counter asked if I wanted to fill my growler. I declined, but I enjoyed the fact that she even noticed I walked in with my growler with the intent to fill it. However, I enjoy a variety so I chose a mixed 6-pack instead.

I did not have any food or order any takeout, but the food smelled very good, there was a lot of "traffic" for pizza, which I'll try next time. Also, a few flat screen TVs line one of the outer walls, which give you a nice, relaxing, atmosphere. I went alone, and I didn't feel awkward, like i have in some other establishments in the past.

Prices are a bit high ($6.50 for a 12 oz Soutern Tier Chokolat) but the beer is served in correct glass types and the variety is awesome!

I'm sure glad I heard about this place and finally made a trip over. I'll surely make it a staple place of visitation.

12-28-2010 00:34:14 | More by Fish113d

CooperEllis

New York

4.55/5  rDev +2.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Well, I was there fairly early on a Wednesday morning in town for a release at Troeg's so the 'atmosphere' rating comes from the folks who reccomended the place while in line and then the fact that when we arrived at 9:30am a group of beer lovers were all around (at least 8 folks) eating food and getting ready to sample the newest release.

There was a good selection of brews, especially given the option to 'make your own' 6pack, or in my case, 12pack. Terrapin, Duck Rabbit, White Birch, Mikkeller, Central Waters, off the top of my head were the brews that caught my eye for being out of country/region.

I found the prices reasonable for what I purchased. Pizza was fresh and the slices I had were above average. Have to give a personal thanks for the growler and chance to try one-off Troeg's stuff along with the regulars. Made my trip out there all the more memorable and now I get to pimp an "Al's of Hampden" growler around Brooklyn. Hope it drives some extra business their way as I found this place to be well worth the little extra time it took from Harrisburg.

EDIT: I rated "selection" a 5 based on the combination of bottles/make your own 6/drafts/cask and the ability to vote on the next draft made available on their site despite the fact that I am not a local and have not really been able to enjoy that feature.

12-23-2010 19:25:45 | More by CooperEllis

stump218

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Have been living in this area for roughly 8 years, and we just turned onto this place. Since I found this place I have been there multiple times, and will continue to make this a weekly visit.

For the area the beer selection is great. Constantly seeing new beers on draft, and they are priced fairly. Great place to grab a few micros and have a slice of pie.

Monday and Thursdays are great .35 wings and 50% off all pizzas. Build your own six pack is also a great feature. Bomber selection is also pretty good for the area.

I will be back on a weekly basis!!!

12-15-2010 03:31:11 | More by stump218

Beerquester

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

I've been visiting Al's since just after he opened and every time I go in there he is adding something new!

He now has over 24 taps plus 3 hand-pulleds. My only problem with going in there is deciding which beers to try. I don't live really close so I don't get in as often as I like but try for at least once a month. I have never been disappointed there.

This place would be worth the trip just for the pizza and other Italian food.

I try to keep pretty informed of different beer releases nationwide and abroad but whenever I come in there I always find something I have not yet heard about. Al personally tries all his beers and is happy to give input on his favorites. He gets really excited about many of the new beers and I know this excitement will keep only the best beers coming in. You can even vote on-line for which beer to go on tap next. Check it out on his website.

The place can get pretty crowded during regular dinner time so come in at an off time if you want to talk beer with Al. Rumor has it he will be expanding soon, and that should ease up some of the congestion and make it an even greater place!

Oh, by the way, I only mentioned the tap beers. In addition to those, he has one wall filled with coolers of micros in six-packs and the other wall coolers with singles where you can mix and match a six pack of your own. If you can't find something there just get a growler to go. He prefers swing-top growlers if you bring your own to fill.

This place is right off Interstate 81 so it is a great stopping location for anyone traveling the interstate. I highly recommend a visit.

11-01-2010 23:31:01 | More by Beerquester

prdstmnky

Pennsylvania

4.54/5  rDev +2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

Al's is another one of my weekly beer voyages, and even though its close to an hour round trip, it is well worth it. I'm usually in a bit of a hurry, so have never tried any food or sat down for a pint. I have, however, taken a ton of beer away!

Al's is a bit small, and if you go during peak hours, it can be quite busy. several coolers of six packs, as well as 3 or 4 other featuring single bottles for you to mix your own sixer (selection varies, but usually some interesting offerings to get your money's worth). There is a single cooler near the register with a decent selection of Belgian beers (i think they are all or mostly Belgians), as well as a couple racks of "better" bottles also tucked in next to the checkout counter.

Perhaps the best part of Al's is the stellar tap selection, I believe it is 27 total (18 regular, 6 on nitro, and 3 hand pumps!!). The draft selection rotates often, with lots of variety, and choices you just dont see locally (and you can get growler fills to go) Great selection, with decent prices - about as good as it gets in central PA.

10-25-2010 05:05:15 | More by prdstmnky

nopucophop

New York

3.93/5  rDev -11.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

KEYNOTE-- I went on a Friday at 6pm which made this place very busy and hectic.

This is a great spot. It was a perfect place off the highway to grab some goodies. I only knew of this place because a fellow BA recommended it to me. I have to say that this is a strange place as it is a pizzeria that has great beer. This does not help the atmosphere as the place is loud and chaotic. The are mixes of families and serious beer drinkers and all in between. The quality of both the food and beer are great. The beer is better then the food but the food made for a great meal. As far as the service goes you have to go to the counter to be served. If you don't know this ahead of time you can be left at your table wondering if anyone is going to try and help you. The beer selection is excellent! they have growler fills as well as bottles to go. They do allow mix sixers too. Overall again great spot. To much chaos for me but as noted earlier I believe that has to do with the time I arrived. I imagine at 8pm on Tuesday this place is just awesome.

10-18-2010 21:23:33 | More by nopucophop

THECPJ

Delaware

4.2/5  rDev -5.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

We had heard rumors about how great Al's of Hampden was, and we were skeptical about what we would find. After we first settled the debate about if Al's of Hampden was the same as Al's in Dillsburg, we set out to see what we could get ourselves into.

We went on a Friday morning and walked into the sound of angel's singing "ahhh". Although it was small, they housed a lot of beer, and a lot of great beer at that! Not to mention the scoreboard screen of beers on taps (what a great idea!). We started out with a Founders Breakfast Stout and a Moylan's Dragoon Stout. After those 2 we decided if we were going to continue, we would need something of substance in our bellies. We got 2 slices of pizza and our tastebuds were treated to not only good beer, but good food as well. Along with our lunch, we also tried the Founders Centennial and the Founders Dirty Bastard.

I'm pretty sure that the regular lunch crowd thought we were drunks, but who can pass up such good beer? Especially when you can't find these beers everywhere! Besides, it was a 5 year wedding anniversary, so we had a reason to celebrate!

Somewhere along the way we also tried the Lost Abbey Serpent Stout.

In the midst of eating and drinking ourselves silly, we found a way to garnish up about 4 six packs (a case of beer!). Hoppin Frogs, Lost Abbey, Founders, Bell's, Fegley's, Cantillon's, South Hampton, and Sly Fox rounded out our loot.

We finished up our afternoon with the Moylan's Hopsickle and Lost Abbey Devotion.

This place is amazing! They seem to have a knack for finding the hard-to-get brews, and even told us if we were looking for something to let them know, and they would look into getting them for us. A must-see/must-try if you are in the area!

10-17-2010 03:46:51 | More by THECPJ

pmsawyer

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -7.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

Al's does a great job with Pizza, steak and cheese subs and pasta dishes, lasagna is excellent and generously portioned. Wings are some of the best in the area and the Buffalo sauce is excellent.

But we are here for the beer. There are 24 taps with some devoted to nitro complimented by three hand pumps. Cold beer is available as singles or mix a six from three large cases. Belgium's are in a fourth case. Large bottle display is varied and well stocked. Other cases hold 4 and 6 packs of cold beer.

Growlers are available for the tap beers.

One of our regular spots and we recommend it to everyone.

09-23-2010 01:40:58 | More by pmsawyer

philbe311

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev -3.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

I'm in the process of moving into the area and have already become a little bit of a regular... Tremendous tap selection at tremendous prices... Being a transplant from philly the prices really impress me... The food is solid and Monday and Thursday bring 1/2 price pizzas and .35 wings... The people are exceptionally nice, but the service is average at best... The crowd is both a plus and a minus as this is a pizzeria first and a craft beer destination second... As such there are lots of families (and rowdy kids), but that also ads to the charm somewhat... I plan on living in the area for quite some time and will be a Al's on a regular basis...

09-14-2010 01:59:03 | More by philbe311

gator0877

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev -1.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

First and foremost, the selection here is simply amazing. It is the best in the area from sixers and singles to the draft beers. 3 hand pumps and 14-15 (don't know number off top of my head) regular taps. If you can find a beer you are looking for at Al's it simply can be gotten in Central PA. Al's does run specials on growlers to go on certain days. I have not eaten there but the food looks and smells wonderful. The staff is pretty good as well. I stopped in for a growler and saw some people I knew so I stayed for a beer or two. They stored my growler in the back till it was time to go, a little thing but it makes a big difference. My favorite thing about Al's is the website. It is updated daily and email alerts are sent out with draft updates. I wish more places were as passionate and proactive about the website as Al's seems to be. One last thing is the prices, not too bad exspecially for Central PA. This is a beer lover's gold mine for PA.

08-27-2010 19:52:52 | More by gator0877