Lancaster Brewing Company

jale

Michigan

3.28/5  rDev -16.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | $$

Stopped by this place on the way to Philly.

This location is by the highway and does'nt look like the one in the picture. You enter the business to find a family dinning area to your right and a bar/taproom to your left. The staff were friendly and answered questions we had about the beer. They had a nice variety of styles available. Just average beers IMO. We were staying just a block from here so we lucked out in finding a place at 11pm. Not really a destination place but a average spot for an average beer.

01-15-2012 17:54:01 | More by jale

reebrevlup

Arizona

4.83/5  rDev +22.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

While in the Pensilvania our group of friend checked out Lancaster brewing co. The overall experience was great. The atmosphere was outstanding we sat near the freight elevator, and we could also see the fermentation tanks. The server was very helpful.

03-31-2013 15:00:48 | More by reebrevlup

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -22.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3 | $$

Ive been to both LBC locations on multiple occasions for a variety of reasons. I was surprised to see I never wrote a review. This is based on my most recent visit to the Harrisburg location.

The building is sort of laid out in 2 different types of setups. The larger side is the restaurant, the other is the bar area that also has some seating off the bar. The bar is a typical setup with room for say 20 people give or take. Taps are set up in the middle. Table seating all around. Somewhat dim lighting for being noon on a weekday.

LBC beer has always been middle of the road for me. Its a good stepping stone for someone to get into craft beer but the excitement of their offerings gets old fast. In the past 6+ years they have pretty much run with the same lineup of beers but now offering maybe 3 or 4 seasonals that come and go.

The service is decent. Nothing extraordinary and no complaints.The selection I have hinted at above. If you frequent the establishment, I dont know why? They have the same generic laminated beer menu. It listd everything but doesnt tell you what is currently available, you gotta look at the tap handles. Even if the menu says something is in season, its not a gaurentee. Some of their rotational beers were 3-4 months out of their "time period" listing on the menu. Thats a shame, you can tell its not fresh upon your first sip.

The lunch menu consists of a burger or 2, a couple salads and a soup. Other apps are available with the likes of smoked wings and pulled pork. On my recet visit, I opted for the smoked wings and they were quite forgettable. They were seemingly boiled and moist, in the center they flirted woth being under-cooked and they were soggy on the outside. The sauces were bland. I would not have these again.

I stopped in thinking "man it has been awhile" and left shaking my head remembering why I dont go there. Your money could be better spent elsewhere. If you have never been here or had an LBC beer, than sure I could see it being worth your while. I get the same feel from this place as the ABC locations. Move lots of people in and out to make money and dont care about the quality of the product.

09-27-2012 14:06:35 | More by stakem

deafeningfrog

Virginia

4/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 3 | $$

This is a nice pub/restaurant in very convenient location right off the highway in Harrisburg (note: I visited the Harrisburg location, not the Lancaster location). The bartender was friendly and attentive, and he knew his beers. The sampler of 11 5oz samples is generous. The brews heavily tend toward the European/German style, with a number of light lagers, but they are well done. Personally, I'd like to see more hop-heavy choices, but that's just me. I'm looking forward to trying the food on my next visit. Will definitely go back.

09-08-2012 00:38:00 | More by deafeningfrog

mikewold

New York

4.45/5  rDev +13.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

We stopped in on our way thru town, the website description was attractive. Sat at the bar, had a very nice lunch and conversation with the bar tender. We had a lot of driving time ahead so we didn't sample too many beers.
The IPA Hop Hog and Double choc milk stout were excellent!
The bar tender was courteous and knowledgeable about his and others' beers, trying a few before ordering a pint was not a problem.
The food was good, well prepared and served quickly and piping hot.

I'm looking forward to the next road trip thru the area.

04-27-2012 14:22:26 | More by mikewold

mingo1968

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I was here over the weekend it's right on the highway with a very small parking lot. When you walk it is dimly lit with an old Brew House feel. They had a small six pack case behind he counter to get some take out. The server was very nice. I had the Dagwood Turkey Club with fries. I have no complants about it. Stacked high with turkey om a wheat bread. For beers i had the Winter warmer i thought was great but since i was driving and had another 45 mins of travel i only had one..wish i could of had a few more. I then had the Lancaster Rye it went well with the sandwich. Before i left i bought a six pack of Milk Stout for back at the hotel. If i was traveling down this highway again i would stop in for lunch. Like i said no real complants but no real raves either except for that Winter Warmer.

01-25-2012 13:45:19 | More by mingo1968

JunkYardJake

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -1.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Stopped in for a late lunch and a brew. No parking spots in the lot, as usual, but found a close spot on the street. The dining room and bar were quite busy but we got a table after only a few minutes. Ordered a lamb burger and a Double Chocolate Milk Stout. The burger was excellent. Cooked perfectly and served with feta cheese, cucumber sauce and some delicious olive tapenade. The chocolate stout was pretty tasty as well. Other seasonals on-tap were Oktoberfest, Dunkelweizen and Hefeweizen. The regular lineup includes Milk Stout, Hop Hog IPA, Strawberry Wheat, Amish 4 Grain Pale Ale, Lightening Lager, Gold Star Pilsner and Celtic Rose Amber Ale. The Milk Stout is great and most others are decent. Prices for food and drinks are reasonable and take-out beer prices are best around. $8 dollar growler fills (I left with the O-Fest) and $9 six packs. I also saw that on certain days, growlers are even cheaper. Good vibe, good food and good beer.

10-17-2010 02:51:58 | More by JunkYardJake

mgbickel

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | $$

Stopped by here on my way through town. The place had just opened for business on a Wednesday and the dining room area was already filling up. You enter the dimly lit establishment with the bar area to the left and the dining area to the right. The brewing equipment is set across from the entrance and located on the bottom floor, but the top of the big tanks are in plain view. You can look over the railing and see the rest of the equipment a brewers. The floor is covered in strange rubber mats...but they add to the place somehow. I settled down at the bar (small L shape) and tasted a few of the offerings.

They had their usual suspects on draft as well as a few "draft only" brews. You can also buy cases, sixers and mix and match sixers to go.

The staff was friendly and courteous. Even the host at the door knew his beer and helped me select a mixed six pack to go.

I will stop by here again the next time Lancaster, PA calls on me!

03-16-2010 14:17:53 | More by mgbickel

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 5 | $$$

The restaurant had a very warm comfortable feel. It was dimly lit and the tables were spaced pretty far enough apart that you didn't really notice anyone else.

There were probably 6 different beers on tap, most were average, except for the milk stout which is pretty good.

The service was ok, nothing spectacular but nothing to complain about.

I had the top sirloin which was fantastic. It was by far the best steak I've had in a long time. Though at first I thought many of the items on the menu were a bit pricy I thought it was reasonable after experiencing the quality of what I had.

02-23-2010 21:37:12 | More by BeerCon5

emericanchaos

Pennsylvania

2.03/5  rDev -48.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 2 | service: 1.5 | selection: 2 | food: 2 | $$$

Ah the old brewing company. Not really a favorite of mine to be honest. The crowd is always nice but that's really where it ends. The bartenders always seem grumpy, the manager lady seems equally grumpy, the beer is mediocre, the food is mediocre and usually over done and the pricing is a bit out of touch with the product offered. My experience with this place started about 6 years ago. I was newly 21 and I thought it would be nice to see what the hometown had to offer when compared to the likes of stoudts, victory and other local/regional brewers. I've been consistently let down yet I've returned several times. Usually in hopes of a turn around though this has yet to be seen.

The patrons are usually very friendly. I've had many good conversations about any number of things with guests at LBC. Great place to rub shoulders with tourists or people in town for work. There's a few TV's on the ceiling but the audio is never playing no matter what's on. The bar is usually buzzing though.

I typically have a hard time with service at LBC short of my first drink. It would seem the bartenders are more concerned with regulars than new faces. I usually have to wait for conversation with a regular to die down before i'm served. Conversation with the staff is generally very cold. Apparently I have to join the fancy mug club to get a proper handshake in this place.

Being a brewery don't expect them to carry anything other than what they make where beer is concerned. They do have a full bar though so feel free to bring a lady or any non beer drinker.

Honestly though you shouldn't worry about the non beer people. LBC's brews are usually very mild and bland. Those not interested in huge malty stouts or hi alpha hop monsters will be at home. LBC's beer is as welcoming as the rest of the establishment where I'm concerned though. I also prefer the double IPA's and other "big" beers. LBC makes a light lager and a cherry wheat. Should be satisfying to the rookies. They like to play around with their beer at LBC. They serve rye beers and other goofy things no one else makes. I don't know why, I don't see a market for these sorts of things. Look for their dopplebock in the spring if you end up here. Only beer I've actually liked at the place. Don't expect authenticity though. It's more of a sweet beer than a smokey malty lager.

I've never had a good dining experience here. Not once. The menu is ambitious but poorly executed. Probably a good metaphor for the entire LBC experience honestly. I"ve been served stale chips, burgers that have sat on the warming lamps to dry and a few other abnormalities. I've also been kicked out of LBC for no reason at all while trying to bring new people into the place. I was told my guests looked young yet no one was carded let alone place an order for alcohol.

All this and they still come after you with premium prices. For an evening here you could walk to Quips and be greeted with better food, sociable staff, beer you'd like to drink and you would leave with more money in your pocket. And I don't even like Quip's that much.

Speaking candidly, skip this place. They're rude, their beer is a joke sometimes not even brewed on premises "to meet demand", their food is over priced and poorly done it's just half assed. LBC gives me the impression that the people running it are there for a pay check. They couldn't care less about you. Very self interested establishment. The locals like it because it's there's and I guess I can understand the hometown pride. That was my initial interest as well. After working in the industry and specifically in establishments who cater to the beer drinking crowd I can't vouch for this place. IT'S JUST BAD.

01-25-2010 07:40:09 | More by emericanchaos