Bethlehem Brew Works

We spent the morning packing the Civic and sped away around 1 in the afternoon after visiting Spike's in Cranston--the All-American comes with baked beans, cheddar and mustard. Connecticut traffic was terrible, per usual. The CTDOT must have a 50-year plan for highway improvement, because in the eight or so years I've been traveling 95, they've never been finished. The road was particularly bumpy, and since the car was overweight by about 900 extra pounds, every bump elicited a number of choice words from my lips.

Bethlehem, PA is by no means world renowned as a popular destination, but road-trippers ought to consider a stop over in this former industrial town. The downtown area has been dressed up and revitalized, and even the classic architecture left from the days of yore is interesting. But our mission was more specific than sight-seeing. Our mission was to sample the offerings at the Bethlehem Brew Works.

The interior boasts an atmosphere meant to merge Bethlehem's steelmaking past with a hip modern look. There are specific nights set aside from music an even one night each month for "pints and policy," a draw for local activists. But the main event here is, of course, the beer. For $8.50, visitors can enjoy a sampler featuring six 5.5oz beers. Who could ask for anything more?

My personal favorite was the Kilt Raiser Scottish Ale, but other greats included BBWs 11th Anniversary Ale and the Machine Shop brew. All three are seasonal and available for a limited time. Oddly enough, the Brew Works' Valley Golden--their best-selling beer--was my least favorite, but to each their own. Our server informd me that the brewers recently decided to lower the temperatures, making all the beers a bit colder now, which I thought was a good decision for their Oatmeal Stout. Unfortunately, the Marzen was sold out during my visit.

The food was also good, but strangely lacking in presentation given the aesthetic that the owners were aiming for. I ate the pulled pork sandwich with garlic mashed potatoes and cold slaw. My dad had the mac & cheese, which is served with warmed stewed tomatoes and is dynamite in combination.

Overall, The Bethlehem Brew Works is worth visiting, even if Bethlehem, PA is not on your list of things to do. No one should count this steel town out.