The newly announced York County Ale Trail Beer Tours will start offering immersive guided tours of York’s 15+ breweries this fall.
The York County Ale Trail will offer both paid walking tours and bus tours between York’s established and up and coming breweries. Visitors and locals alike will be able to buy tickets that include stops at 3-4 breweries, exclusive facility tours, guided sampling with brewery staff, and local historical/anecdotal insight from an experienced Beer Guide that will lead each group.
York County has a rich history of brewing local craft beer dating back to the founding of our country. With today’s booming craft beer industry, York is once again at the forefront, featuring 15 breweries situated throughout its rolling hills, farmland and picture-postcard main streets.
This growth mimics that of the state: Pennsylvania has grown to 7th in largest number of craft breweries in the nation and holds steady at #1 for highest volume of craft beer produced. Of Pennsylvania’s 280 craft breweries, one third of them are in the Central PA area.
Local resident Glenn Smith thinks it’s about time to show that off. In 2001, he moved to York and, along with an army of other business people, entrepreneurs, and positive agitators, led the charge of the City’s renaissance, which has included a blossoming and burgeoning craft beer scene. For more than a decade, Smith has enjoyed many “beercations”, visiting small, independent breweries throughout the country.
“I’ve heard their stories, learned about their craft, sampled their wares, and gained a better understanding of the variety and uniqueness of the craft beer industry. It is my vision to create a similar experience and opportunity for others both visiting and living in York County. We have a lot to offer,” said Smith.
On September 1st, ticketing will go live for the first group of walking tours to begin in October. In November, the Ale Trail will add a bus to offer transportation between breweries and a place to store beer purchased for attendees to take home. Tickets will range from $45-80. At first, downtown York breweries will be featured (Collusion Tapworks, Crystal Ball Brewing, Gift Horse, and Liquid Hero are already confirmed), but Smith hopes to expand this in the next year to include other breweries in Hanover and eventually the whole county.
“For me, this is a way to not only showcase York’s great craft beer scene, but also to showcase the crafts of our town as a whole. Our guides will be knowledgeable about the area, and we plan to work with local restaurants and hotels on providing perks for our tour attendees, including local snacks on the bus,” said Smith.
What: York County Ale Trail, offering guided tours and tastings of York County breweries
When: Tickets on sale September 1, Walking Tours start in October, Bus Tours start in November
How: For more information and to sign up to receive news and updates, visit www.yorkcountyaletrail.com
