Sorry it took a while to get this to you. It seems like merch levels were low all around the Lehigh Valley which, fortunately for me, prompted several different trips to local breweries to find shirts. Here’s a couple notes about each one to let you know why they’re special to me:
Fegley’s Brew Works (Bethlehem, PA and Allentown, PA) – The first Fegley’s opened up not far from my Alma Mater, Lehigh University, in 1998 right before I graduated. There weren’t a lot of great beer options in the area, and it was a welcomed addition.
Shangy’s (Emmaus, PA) – Since 1980, Shangy's has been PA's leading specialty beer wholesaler and retailer. I first shopped in their doublewide trailer location as an (underaged) freshman at Lehigh. They carried more variety than anyone in the area. I lived in Emmaus for several years and stopped in often. They’ve grown and have a huge warehouse retail location and just opened another retail location by my house. Both have a bar with 40+ beers on tap for samples and growler fills and alcoholic slushies to go.
Pizza Boy Brewing (Enola, PA) – Ok, not really near me but a great story. I’ve been there and through a mutual friend got to hang out with the owner back at his house. He owned a pizza shop that wasn’t doing so well and one night when they were home his wife sent him out to grab a six pack but he couldn’t find any decent beer anywhere near them. They then doubled down on the pizza place by buying a liquor license and he learned how to make great beer. Today, they not only offer 102 beers on tap, but he brews his own beer via his Pizza Boy Brewing Company.
Funk Brewing (Emmaus, PA) – Local microbrewery that opened in 2014 and seems to focus primarily on IPAs. Later opened a second location in PA and then moved the Emmaus taproom to another location in Emmaus so they could expand the brewery.
Saucony Creek Brewing (Kutztown, PA) – Opened in 2016 in a cool little spot with good beers and food. A little further away and don’t get there as much now due to the newer, closer places below.
Bonn Place Brewing (Bethlehem, PA) – Opened in 2017 in Southside Bethlehem in the shadow of Lehigh University. They focused more on “English-styled” beers which I prefer so it’s a personal favorite.
McCall Brewing Collective (Allentown, PA) – Just opened a couple of years ago near where I work in Allentown and then they opened a second location a couple miles from my house. Good beers and food and really nice people that live in my buddy’s neighborhood and were nice enough to bring free beers to his cornhole tournament.
Rising River (Macungie, PA) – This just opened up less than a year ago about a mile from my house. Great location on a small creek with a nice deck and plenty of outdoor seating, including in the creek.
Anyway, that’s my take on (part of) the Lehigh Valley beer scene. I hope you enjoy the beers and shirts!
Your i-pal,
Lehigh98