The Full Bar - all my pages

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Elk Creek open for dinner, beer coming soon; others close behind

Heard from a reader (thanks, Sue!) that Elk Creek Cafe and Aleworks in Millheim, Pa. is now open for dinner in a BYO mode, and they expect (scratch that, they hope) to have beer by December 8. It all depends on paperwork at this point.

Heard separately that Conestoga Brewing is very close to opening, and Hanover Brewing is slowly moving along, and One Guy is probably going to open sometime in the next 6 weeks.

Things keep popping in Pennsylvania!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's good news on all fronts! Do you have any contact info for Elk Creek? Can't seem to find a phone number anywhere. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I've heard that Elk Creek is only going to be open on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is a HUGE disappointment if this is true. Brew pubs are destinations, and I fear that they will lose a lot by not being open all week. Their beer had better be fantastic to make up for this...

Anonymous said...

On a really happy note, I just had the Christmas Ale from Red Star Brewery in Greensburg. This is one AWESOME beer. Probably the best winter ale I've ever tasted. Jeff outdid himself with this one. A perfect balance of malt, citrus, spice and carbonation. If they could only bottle this...

Deuane said...

Kramer....try this

100 W. Main
P.O. BOX 432,
MILLHEIM, PA, 16854

or call 814-574-6888

Matthew D Dunn said...

Great news. I hope to hit up Elk Creek when I'm home for Christmas.

Lew Bryson said...

Steve,
What, you mean like how bad it was for Selin's Grove, and how it killed their business, and no one ever went there? I think that given Elk Creek's location -- even farther off the beaten path than Selin's Grove -- and their newness, not being open Monday and Tuesday (I actually heard they were open on Wednesdays, too) is probably a smart move: staying open when no one's in can lose you a lot, too. Being closed one day a week is pretty common upstate; two days a week, when those two days are Monday and Tuesday, is not going to be that big a deal, I think. If it's largely a one-man show -- and management-wise, I'm pretty sure it is -- you need two days off to get some rest and get paperwork done.

Anonymous said...

I have heard from a reputable source that Elk Creek's ales (three ready now) are very good, and the menu they sent around in an email is incredibly appealing. I have also heard that the place is beautiful, with very cool hand-carved bar stools.

I can't wait!

Lew Bryson said...

Sam's got reputable sources coming out his ears, folks. And if multiple-GABF award-winning brewer Tim Yarrington didn't produce excellent beers...I'd be shocked.

Deuane said...

In response to Steve....Yea, what Lew said about Selin's Grove. For the longest time they were only open W-Sa and W and Th they were only opened from 4-midnight. It took divine intervention for Steve L. to see the light! (and I am sure the patrons who bitched constently..me included) Now they are open W - SU 12-12 (Sunday is 12-8)

So...for a new place that is WAY off the beaten path I think it is wise for them to get themselves established first and create a name and some buzz. Monday and Tuesday are not big time travel days and going out nights anyways...his aim will be locals, Penn State football fans (in season) and folks willing to travel (like me) and most of us will do that on a weekend evening or day.

Looking forward for Elk Creek to get the beer flowing...please PLCB get your thumb out of your....

Anonymous said...

Just to clear up a few things: Elk Creek Cafe +(-) Aleworks is currently open Wed-Sat from 5 to 8 pm and Sun 11-3 for excellent locally produced food prepared by Chef Mark Johnson. Had a wonderful trout the other night. There is currently a minimal website (www.elkcreekcafe.net) which includes these hours and a menu. The beer situation unfortunately is still BYO until PLCB lets them sell Brewer Tim Yarrington's creations. Anybody know a bureaucrat in Harrisburg?

Anonymous said...

I've been looking forward to Elk Creek opening for awhile and I understand not being open 24/7 in that area but only open 16 hours total in a week? Seems to me they should stay open later on a Friday and Saturday night. You have to give a new business at least a fighting chance...

Lew Bryson said...

I'm sure the hours are going to change as soon as permission to sell beer comes through. Count on it.