Wallenpaupack Brewing Company

When We Went: July 25, 2020

Where: 73 Welwood Ave, Hawley, PA 18428

Wallenpaupack (Wall-in-paw-pack) Brewing Company, one of the few brewpubs found in the far corner of Northeastern PA, opened its taproom in 2017. The brewery is named after Lake Wallenpaupack, the state’s second largest man-made lake, and is located less than a mile away from the recreational body of water. While it does not have that “traditional” pub aesthetic, it does have delicious food, including our personal favorite, poutine (with REAL cheese cruds.) They have two bars with taps at either end of the building, and the walls are decorated with barrels and labels from the hops they use. The brewery boasts large rooms with plenty of seating and a nicely decorated outdoor patio for more seating. When we went, they designated half of the brewery for cans-to-go and the other half for dine-in food and drinks. They were also letting people tailgate in the parking lot, which must be a PA thing?

Chris: We have been to Wallenpaupack a few times, and I have been a big fan of their food and location. When it comes to their beer, they always seem willing to try new things, like my stout ice cream float which you can see below. While it looks delicious I was a little disappointed to be honest, but I was happy that they tried it. I was a big fan of their This Is Sour. Can you guess what kind of beer it is? It had a nice citrus taste to it that wasn’t too sour and at 4% you can knock back quite a few. They always have a big variety and selection of beers, so you will be able to find something you like.

Shannon: As a Pennsylvanian local to the area, Wallenpaupack Brewing Company has a special place in my heart. Outside of the Scranton/ Wilkes Barre area, this little corner of PA does not have many breweries. So when Wallenpaupack decided to buy the long closed Arby’s and knock it down to build a brewery, I was on board! Like many small town businesses, Wallenpaupack has immersed themselves into the community by taking part in festivals and creating menus of locally sourced food. A large majority of their beers are inspired by the lake and one of my personal favorites is No Wake Zone. A 5.3% lager brewed with orange peels and citrusy German hops, No Wake Zone is a light and refreshing beer that goes down fast. One of their stronger lagers, Smoke on the Water, is an excellent smoky beer that has a noticeable smoke flavor and aroma without being too overpowering. If you’re looking for a lager with a little something more to it, I highly recommend this smoky brew.

Other Cool Stuff:

  • Cans-to-go and food curbside pick up. They also do dockside and boat slip delivery!
  • Huge menu of great food!
  • Largest craft brewery in Wayne County, Pennsylvania!
  • Located just off Lake Wallenpaupack
  • “Pints with a Purpose” is a monthly event held in the taproom that benefits nonprofit organizations
  • They brew their own seltzer (because who doesn’t at this point)

What We Drank:

Shannon: No Wake Zone (Helles Lager) 5.3% – 4.5 out of 5

Chris: This is Sour (Sour) 4% – 4 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 4 out 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

Esoteric Brewing Co.

When Shannon Went: September 6, 2020

Where: 918 E McMillan St, Cincinnati, OH 45206

Did you have any idea that there are just over 60 Black-owned craft breweries in the United States? That’s slightly more than all the breweries found in the Greater Cincinnati area. Among those is Esoteric Brewing Company, the Queen City’s first and only black-owned and operated brewery. Dedicated to revitalizing and diversifying the Walnut Hill neighborhood, Esoteric began pouring pints only a month ago! Their taproom is elegant, suave, and the definition of excellence. Located in an art-deco style building originally constructed in 1931 as a shopping destination, the building fell on hard times and into a state of decay. When Esoteric moved in, so did a new era in the buildings history. Inside the newly restored structure is a full production brewery and taproom guided by the meaning of their logo, the lotus flower. The lotus fights its way through adversity in order to blossom into its fullest potential, and that right there is the embodiment of Esoteric Brewing Co.

Shannon: Esoteric’s taproom is an experience unlike any other. Their opening coincides with a time when calls for racial justice and equality have never been louder. Walking into their taproom on opening weekend was humbling on so many different levels. I was blown away by the level of sophistication in the taprooms design and even more blown away by their craft beer. On opening weekend, only four beers were on draft, but since then a handful of other beers have been added. I really enjoyed all of the beers that I tried, but my favorite so far is the Lotus IPA. Coming in at a 6.5% ABV, Lotus is a dry and hoppy IPA that’s well balanced and reminiscent of the west coast craft beer style.

Other Cool Things:

  • Cincinnati’s first minority-owned and operated brewery!
  • In an exquisite historic building!
  • Dog friendly
  • Food trucks for snacking in the taproom
  • Level up your tailgate with a game day mini-keg appropriately named “Li’l Sebastian”
  • Lots of merch for sale
  • Pouring their version of Black is Beautiful
  • Outdoor patio
  • Community nights and happy hour specials weekly
  • Free parking (which is exciting and rare in the city)
  • Plans to donate a portion of their proceeds to non-profits in the Walnut Hills community that promote education, economic equity, improve food access, provide skills training and other important causes that better the neighborhood

What Shannon Drank: Flight Edition!

Shannon: Lotus (IPA) 6.5% – 4 out of 5

Shannon: Ethereal (Belgian Blonde Ale) 6.7% – 3.5 out of 5

Shannon: Dahlia (Brown Ale) 5.3% – 4 out of 5

Shannon: Mystic (English Pale Ale) 5.1% – 3 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 5 out of 5!

Feeling persuaded yet?

Five Churches Brewing

When I went: August 28, 2020

Location: 193 Arch Street, New Britain, CT 06051

It all started when Peter was in his office looking out his window and asked Phil, “What should we do with the extra space in the building next door?” Phil (an avid craft beer drinker) answered, “How about a brewery?” Two years later, Five Churches Brewing was born. Their name and logo come from the five different church steeples that can be seen from the brewery windows. Earlier this year they celebrated their two year anniversary! Five Churches prides itself not just on its beer but also on its wood-fired pizza. The taproom feels like a pizza restaurant while still giving that upcycled industrial look.

Chris: Let me just say that my opinion of Five Churches has changed dramatically from when they first opened. I always liked the ambiance of the taproom and the location (right across the street from Riley’s Hot Dog!). But I was not always a fan of their beer, and it was not through lack of trying. I used to live in New Britain so I went there quite a few times, tried 10 different beers, and always left unimpressed. That being said, when I went for the first time this year, I was in love. I don’t know what happened! I went from liking 1 out of 10 beers before this visit, to 4 out of the 5 beers that I tried on that day. They had 15 beers on tap in a variety of styles so everyone could find a beer they like. Even though my previous experiences were bad, I am now willing to sing Five Churches’ praise all day, everyday.

Shannon: I have always really liked the location and design of the taproom at Five Churches, but like Chris already said, my first few visits didn’t leave much of a memorable experience. I haven’t been back since moving to Ohio, but I’m happy to give it another go! I’m easier to persuade than Chris, so if he likes them now, no doubt I will too. Of the 11 different beers I’ve had from Five Churches in the past, my favorite has been their double IPA, Steeple People. Coming in at a hefty 7.8% ABV, Steeple People is brewed with dry Citra hops and is loaded with grapefruit, melon, lime, gooseberry, and passionfruit. On Untappd this beer has a global rating of 4.16, so it’s safe to say Steeple People is a people pleaser!

Other cool stuff:

  • Mug club
  • 2nd story outdoor seating
  • Pizza and pretzels made in-house
  • Flights
  • Avery soda

What Chris drank:

Chris: Milkshake Shack (Milkshake IPA) 6% – 4 out of 5

Chris: Lil’ Stouty (Stout) 5% – 4 out of 5

Chris: Holy Union (Sour) 4% – 4.5 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 4 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?