ShawneeCraft Brewery
Discover new favorites
Seated across from me at The Gem and Keystone Brewpub at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort are two couples. They made a “pit stop” on a quiet, low-key Saturday afternoon to sample craft beer and have lunch – in that order. Food and a cold craft brew go hand-in-hand.
Eavesdropping is ok
Yes, I eavesdropped on their conversation, because I was curious to know which beer they ordered. The man on the far side of the table piqued my curiosity when he asked his friends, “Should we order the sampler?” He was referring to a selection of beer on the ShawneeCraft menu. As I devoured my lunch (an incredible Asian-inspired salad), they indulged in the selections from the ShawneeCraft Brewery.
The Gem is one of Shawnee’s dining locations where you can get your hands on a craft beer that’s hand-made at ShawneeCraft Brewery, an on-site brewpub, located only footsteps away from the inn. “True to Nature, True to the Craft” is the motto at ShawneeCraft.
What’s on the craft beer menu?
When it’s time to slow down, beer aficionados head to the pub to sample Artisan ales and lagers made with old-fashioned craftsmanship. Biere Blanche, a Belgian-style wheat beer; Session Porter, rich and dark with chocolate and black currant overtones; Session IPA, light in body Helles Lager; Harvest Saison, cloying pumpkin-pie concoction farmhouse-style beer; Imperial Coffee Porter, derived from locally-roasted and freshly-ground coffee from Fieldstone Coffee Roasters (Easton, PA); Raspberry Blanche, with raspberries added to the mix shortly after primary fermentation; and Birra Della Sol, brewed especially for Birra Pizza in Philadelphia, are among the selections.
Whole Food
ShawneeCraft Beers are “whole foods,” that contain the entire nutrient from which they were produced – unfiltered and unpasteurized, and sourced as locally and as organically as possible. According to the Shawnee brew master, they’re produced with no shelf stabilizing agents or chemicals and are brewed in a facility designed to minimize environmental impact and to conserve resources.
Other kinds of food
A jumbo pretzel served with Shawnee Inn Double Pale Ale Triple Play Mustard and four different types of pizza are also on the menu in case you want to grab a quick bite to share with friends. Tap Room hours are Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Food is available on Friday and Saturday evening.
Pairing craft beer and live entertainment
On Friday night and Saturday night, live entertainment fills the room. Aspiring vocalists can showcase their talents and mental acuity at Open Mic & Trivia night and then cap off the evening listening to musicians play your favorite tunes during Rhythm & Brews. Saturday night the entertainment continues.
The location is ideal for guests who want to experience Shawnee Inn nightlife without leaving the property, but the Tap Room is also a hub for local residents and Pocono Mountain visitors.
The atmosphere is rustic, as you might expect, and the attire ranges from jeans to business casual.
Brewery and Tap Room Tours are offered on Wednesday through Sunday.
Here’s a clip from a Dec. 2 Rhythm & Brews.
