The Beer Circle » Breweries, Sprague Farm & Brew Works » Sprague Farm & Brew Works – Venango, PA
Sprague Farm & Brew Works – Venango, PA
Charm. That’s the first word that comes to mind when I recall my visit to Sprague Farm & Brew Works over the holidays. An unplanned stop after a day of holiday shopping in Erie, PA, I figured it’d be a good opportunity to share a pint and some laughs with the parents, and check out an exciting new brewery at the same time. Most natives of Northwest PA are unused to microbreweries setting up shop in their neck of the woods (though, somehow, the excellent Voodoo found their way to Meadville, PA), so word of places like this tend to spread quickly about the area. Having heard so much about the place, I was exciting to swing by.
Sprague Farm at Day (from Sprague Farm)
Sprague Farm at Night (When I Visited)
Immediately upon walking in the old converted barn, I was greeted with an incredibly homelike, pleasant, inviting atmosphere. Despite being located inside a barn (an aesthetic that’s embraced), it had the charming nature that one would expect to find in a local coffee shop/bookstore type establishment. They even had a few couches in a room off to the side for you to enjoy your brews on in case you care to distance yourself from the live local music that was playing when I visited. There’s nothing fancy to be found here, and this is reflected in the food menu as well. The beer is even served in mason jars!
Inside Sprague Farm & Brew Works
As for the beer itself, I had the opportunity to try their I.B.U.D. 59 IPA, Hellbender Robust Porter, Ale Mary Wit, and Spraguer Logger Lager. While I don’t intend to go into a full review of each of these, I found them each refreshing and satisfying, and good examples of their respective styles. Please note, however, that I said good, not great. While each brew was indeed distinctly different, none really struck me as remarkable in any way. The selections proved moderately flavorful, but left me wishing for just a bit more intensity, or a more distinctive finish. Prices were fair but a bit elevated given the region and selection available, but I’m always happy to support local business owners, especially one dedicated to sharing the craft.
A Few of Sprague's Selections
Nevertheless, it thrills me to see new, local breweries popping up and sharing the craft with beer neophytes. Many family and friends of mine in the area have sampled some of their first craft beer here, and I can only hope that this sparks their interest in exploring further. I love supporting Next time I’m back in the area, I wouldn’t hesitate to stop by with some friends and enjoy a few in this pleasant atmosphere.
(More information can be found at their website, including more pictures.)
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Written by Garrett Miller
Garrett brings a somewhat different perspective on beer to the table. While always thrilled to try any new, exotic brew that finds itself his way, Garrett finds that he's often quite satisfied with reliable, common craft choices. As such, Garrett is a fan of trying and reviewing these (admittedly less expensive) beers, and using them to introduce the exciting, flavorful world of craft beer to those not-yet-acquainted. Garrett’s favorite styles are IPAs and bourbon stouts, but won’t turn his nose up at anything. Find Garrett Miller on Google Plus
Filed under: Breweries, Sprague Farm & Brew Works · Tags: Ale Mary Wit, Hellbender Robust Porter, I.B.U.D. 59 IPA, Sprague Farm & Brew Works, Spraguer Logger Lager
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