CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Spirited samples from at least 10 area beverage vendors await those who buy tickets to the fifth Sip & Stroll hosted by Downtown Chambersburg Inc.
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Spirited samples from at least 10 area beverage vendors await those who buy tickets to the fifth Sip & Stroll hosted by Downtown Chambersburg Inc.
From 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, ticket holders ages 21 and older can wander through the downtown area and stop in various businesses to sample a variety of beer, wine, cider and liquor. Those who pay the $30 fee ($5 for designated drivers), will have the chance to try two samples of about 3 ounces each at every site during one of three windows of time: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.; 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.; or 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Confirmed beverage vendors include GearHouse Brewing Co., Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. and TBC Brewing Co., all of Chambersburg; Rough Edges Brewing, Lake House Distilling Co. and 633 Brewing of Waynesboro, Pa.; Cold Spring Hollow Distillery of Mercersburg, Pa.; Halbrendt Vineyard & Winery of Orrtanna, Pa.; Fourscore Beer Co. of Gettysburg, Pa.; and Big Hill Ciderworks of Gardners, Pa.
Roy-Pitz is often a vendor at local events, handing out samples of what it calls “liquid art” to local residents and out-of-towners. Ryan “Roy” Richards, co-owner with Jesse “Pitz” Rotz, said he enjoys talking to customers at gatherings, where he gets questions about beer and the brewing process.
“It’s been really good for our business,” Richards said of Sip & Stroll. “What’s nice about it for us is our brewpub is within walking distance” of downtown Chambersburg, he added.
There are other breweries close to downtown, which gives visitors and locals plenty of options.
“It’s a good competition to have,” said Richards, vice president in charge of production and wholesale.
He said the beverage companies strive to help each other.
“We’re all small. We’re trying to support locals,” Richards said.
For the Sip & Stroll, Roy-Pitz will offer beverages from its German lineup, including Best Blonde, which Richards said is an “easygoing” golden lager, and Ludwig's Revenge, a dark, smoked lager. The latter is named after Ludwig's Brewery, which was leveled by flames during the burning of Chambersburg in July 1864.
Featuring a blend of hops from Germany and the soft water of Chambersburg, Best Blonde “quickly became our biggest seller and fan favorite,” Richards said. “You can totally picture yourself in a German pub when you drink this beer.”
Making their second appearance at Sip & Stroll will be libations from TBC Brewing Co.
Dr. Matt Kaufman, who co-owns TBC with Dr. Josh Dunklebarger, said their inaugural experience in November 2021 helped draw attention to their business, which has atypical hours because it is not the primary vocation for the owners. Kaufman is a pediatrician and Dunkelbarger is an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist).
“This is kind of a creative outlet,” Kaufman said.
He noted that a large group who liked the beers tasted downtown later made their way to TBC - housed in the free-standing garage on North 3rd Street at The Barrel House, which hosts patio weekends and other social gatherings.
“It’s a nice way to reach people we otherwise wouldn’t,” Kaufman said. “It was a really fun event. We’ll certainly be looking to do other things like it.”
On March 26, TBC is hoping to serve a dry Irish stout if there is some left after the previous weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration, plus a few other on-tap and bottled options.
Kaufman said TBC’s flavors are inspired by food.
“Irish-themed stuff is a little tricky,” he said, because cuisine such as shepherd’s pie and cabbage don’t translate well into liquid form.
Sam Thrush, president of Downtown Chambersburg Inc., said Sip & Stroll gives people a taste not only for regionally made beverages, but local businesses who open their doors for the event being presented by The Stacy Mellott Group with RE/MAX 1st Advantage.
“This is a ticketed, intimate event,” Thrush said. “They’re enjoying at least 10 different beverage businesses.”
For details about Sip & Stroll or to order tickets, go to www.facebook.com/events/964866274131031; www.downtownchambersburgpa.com/sip-and-stroll; or email dci@chambersburg.org.