Stoudts Brewing Co.

bigeyedfish

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +18.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Went on a Saturday night around 8:15ish and got two seats at the bar almost immediately. Had Abbey Triple, Double IPA and Scarlet Lady along with a sample of Scarlet Lady that was being served from the cask. The bartenders were friendly, attentive and very much professional. The restaurant itself was busy, but it never got loud; the best word to describe the atmosphere and the physical description of the place would be pleasant.

For six beers between two people (Abbey Triple and DIPA x2, Fat Dog plus Scarlet Lady) the total came to $26, which considering the quality of the beers was a steal. Would go back in a heart beat and have no problem planning weekends around a trip there. I hate giving this place a perfect score, but the truth is I can not for the life of me find something that was wrong with place.

09-09-2007 17:35:21 | More by bigeyedfish

Yetiman420

Ohio

4.8/5  rDev +14%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I made a visit to Stoudt's around 5 PM on a Monday evening in mid February. The whole concept of Stoudt's is a bit deceiving. In rural, Dutch Pennsylvania and part of a major antique market, one would seem to question the potential of a brewery described in this manner. After an extensive sampling, 4 oz at a time, I can attest that the quality of their brews is top notch. They offer four 4 oz samplers at a time and have recently developed placemats with the names and descriptions of the beers. I had four in the first round and three in the second. Since I was driving, I only wanted to sample those that I can't get in Ohio. The Scarlet Lady on cask, Smooth Hoperator (hoppy lager), Winter Ale, and a Brewer's Reserve Belgian were among the beers I selected since I didn't recall seeing them at my local good beer stores. The bartender was really friendly and helpful although she had to rely on others for in-depth descriptions of the beer. As a collector of historical regional brewing memorabilia, I really enjoying putting on a buzz and roaming around looking at their "collection." From Stoudt's I made my way to Harrisburg to spend the night and visit The Appalachain Brewing Company.

02-14-2008 04:01:12 | More by Yetiman420

SchmichaelJ

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +11.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5

The Stoudt brewpub is but a small part of the sprawling Stoudt Village, which includes the Black Angus Restaurant, a giant beer hall, an antique shop, and other establishments run by the Stoudt family. But their annual beer and German festivals (held 3 times a year) are lots of fun and are a can't miss for any beer afficionado. Each beer-related component of the Stoudt complex deserves its own review; however, this one will be limited to the brewpub. The Black Angus portion of the building is a wonderful steak house / fine dining establishment with exquisite food (and appropriately pricey cuisine). I usually opt to be seated in the pub, however, where I can enjoy the great beer with a burger or other wallet-friendly fare. Much of the menu features German style food, replete with schnitzel and PA Dutch specialties. Almost any dish can be complemented by Stoudt's wide slection of craft-brewed beer, including popular seasonals. Every brew rates high in my book, although my personal favorites are the Scarlet Lady ESB and the Gold. Both food and drink are of high quality, and the wide selection allows you to go back again and again, while trying something new every time. Service at Stoudt's can be a little slow at times (even later in the evening), and this remains its only real foreseeable drawback. The highlight of my visits to Stoudt's, however, is the superb atmosphere. As you walk in the main entrance of the pub, you're greeted by an authentic 1928 Packard, transporting you to a simpler time in American history. This theme, coupled with the rich Pennsylvania brewing tradition, envelops you as you enjoy your food and drink. If you're not a smoker, request to be seated in the non-smoking portion of the pub...or, as I like to call it, "the Red Room." This room is amazing. The crimson walls are covered with decorative plates, posters, portraits, bottles and artifacts from the dozens of now-extinct PA breweries (Yuengling and Stoudt's being among the few exceptions). You can't help but gaze around and take pride in drinking fresh, microbrewed beer, similar to what was produced in almost every small town in PA prior to prohibition. It really is quite an experience. Dining at Stoudt's, or just sitting at the bar, is a genuine treat for the beer lover. Its quality and overall atmosphere are amazing. Any fan of beer and the rich tradition of brewing will find this establishment to be among the best.

02-03-2003 19:29:48 | More by SchmichaelJ

57andcounting

Alabama

4.7/5  rDev +11.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5

I grew up next to Stoudt's and I guess its time I told you about it.
To get right to the bottom line, if you are on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, approaching the Reading/Lancaster interchange, and need great beer and food, you may as well get off. Make a right, go a mile, on the left and enjoy some great brews and food.
Although, know far and wide for beef, you can't beat the seafood. A well stocked raw bar greets you right inside the door. Go to your left and you're in a fine bar with table as well as bar seating. Go to your right and you are in a dining room that is hard to top with many nooks and crannies for an intimate dining experience. Either way, the wait service is top notch.
I don’t need to comment on the brew's that Mrs. Stoutd has produced. There's always a full selection on tap and a full cocktail list.
Don’t miss it if you are in the area.

08-27-2004 21:16:56 | More by 57andcounting

loveingminor

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +11.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$

I walked into the restaurant, and I thought I was back in Germany. It is situated in Pennsylvania Dutch country, right in the middle of a "village" that looks like a town from Germany, right off of route 222. It had a homely feel, and it wasn't too crowded, but I went with my family at around noon, right when it opened.

Quality: The food was very good, and it comes recommended by Stan (me). After eating here, I was no longer hungry until about 7pm, but that was just for some potato chips.

Service: my standard rating of service is how often my water is refilled. Since I wasn't drinking water, I kept watch on my mother's water: it was always full. Thats why it gets such a high service score.

Selection: wide selection of food, with mostly German origins... but they had other things like seafood (which I stayed away from since seafood is gross)

Food: delicious. I had the kielbasa with saurkraut and onions... I'll probably have it again if I go back.

04-25-2011 20:03:10 | More by loveingminor

ramrod666

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +10.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$

i attended the micro fest at the brewery on sat. oct 15. it rocked. so i decided to return to the resturaunt for lunch the next day. the atmosphere was cool. all kinds of antiques from many a bygone era. we were seated by Carol Stoudt herself next to a glass case that held election pins, ribbons, and news clippings from as far back as th Polk administration. the table we sat at was for two and had very comfortable chairs. they have a decent sized bar with about 15 stools. the service was good although they were quite busy. there selection was great with 10 beers on draft with one beer engine(unfortunatly nothing offered at that time). i had a double ipa, an oktoberfest, a pils, a triple, and a scarlet lady esb. all excellent brews. the food was out outstanding. the artesnal cheese plate is a must. the bread was awesome and made on premise using beer in all the recipes. i opted for the french onion soup followed by the beef stroganoff. mygirlfriend had the pork and kraut. the beef was so tender it melted in your mouth with the homemade spoetzle. prices were resonable. all told 60$. carol then specially opened the gift shop so we could buy some t-shirts, she gave us one on the house. sweet! we then sat at the bar and had a few beers. the bartender, Whitey, was really cool. he had all these beer quizes and trivia sheets to work on as we tipped a few. overall this place was terrific. i cannot wait to go back. my girl had practically drag me from the place. highly recomended.

10-26-2005 04:02:00 | More by ramrod666

HugoGrim

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +10%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I've been to the Stoudt's Brewery and Black Angus Restaurant many times. This particular visit was on a Sunday morning. The brewery is attached to an antiques mall, and features a very nice restaurant & bar as well as a deli, a bakery, and a second bar.

The atmosphere is basically a German beer hall. The entrance opens into a large dance floor which is used for the Octoberfest celebrations.

The service is excellent in my experience, especially at the restaurant bar which is maned by the locally and not so locally famous Whitey. A former NBA player he is the quintessential classy older gentleman tending bar in a tuxedo shirt and tie. Ask him for one of his famous puzzles.

The food ranges from breakfast, I recommend the egg sandwich which is a value at like $2.50 - it's your choice of their homemade breads with about a 3 egg omelet; to lunch, deli sandwiches, burgers, etc all again on their homemade bread, I recommend the apple pulled pork & cheddar sandwich; to dinner, I recommend any of their classic German entrees. Everything I've had was good. The quality of food served in a restaurant is really increased when a bakery and brewery is at the chef's disposal.

02-07-2006 04:05:55 | More by HugoGrim

donnebaby

North Carolina

4.6/5  rDev +9.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 5

Atmosphere at Stoudt's is excellent. Really a find in the middle of Lancaster County and only an hour and a half or so from Philadelphia. From the outside, it isn't too impressive: you see the brewpub, the artisanal bread sign, the brewery with some steel vats outside--and then there's the antiques market behind the place (which was closed the day I went). Once inside you're transported back in time to the 1920s, greeted first by Edward Stoudt's 1928 car sitting in the lobby. Inside the barman himself looks like he's from out of the past. Nice open, half-circle bar, with rooms to the left and right--and all over the place. Many semi-private rooms with only one or two tables. Beautiful raw bar and cheese selection under glass. A somewhat dim lighting scheme with lots of rich reds, blacks and blues, which, combined with the wall-to-wall plaid carpeting and thick curtains, created an overall warm atmosphere. Victorian era furniture and mood.

In the non-smoking room where we were, there was an enormous, wild wooden chandelier, painted red. Covering the walls were old beer trays from PA beer companies, most of which are now defunct. Other PA beer posters and memorabilia also.

I liked the creaking floors. And our cute waitress.

The men's bathroom was full of oldstyle nude photographs. My Mom told me that the women's room had a big Jim Morrison.

The food was excellent (as was the beer). We only ate the beer-battered fries (only $2!) and the tomato salad--which had the best mozzarella I've ever had. Yummy stuff. And the beers were only $2.75 for 12 oz., which I thought very reasonable.

I'll have to go back for the brewery tour--and for the Fall seasonals.

08-21-2004 04:36:41 | More by donnebaby

psugrad98

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +8.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5

Now, this review is of the Bravarian festival. I go every year, and have since I was a kid. I remember the first year Stoudts was brewing, and my dad passing me some illicit sips of the sweet nectar of the Gods. This was my first sip of good beer.
Very fun atmosphere, good german music and food. Of course they mostly have Stoudts beer on draught. But some others like Yuengling and other quality macros/regionals.
Fun time and reasonably priced. Carol and Ed Stoudt are always there participating in the fun. I especially like the dance line when Ed Stoudt plays his tuba and leads everyone around then entire place. fun fun fun.

07-23-2002 07:32:49 | More by psugrad98

bierman2000

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +8.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4

Well if you can't go to Germany this is as close as you get in Pennsylvania. Nice beergarten and an excellent selection of beer. You can't go wrong here with the atmosphere and the food also can't misses. The beers are fresh and flavorful as the place and music reminds one of the German halls.

03-04-2003 15:35:32 | More by bierman2000