Columbia Kettle Works - Bar # 77

We are off schedule today from the normal Tuesday adventure because of snow that fell last week between Monday and Tuesday.  The result of the weather action was that Terry had to reschedule an American Cancer Society event to this Tuesday, bumping our beer day out one.  It was mildly traumatic but I think we were both able to handle the disruption in a mature way.

So, with this being the third Tuesday (well, Wednesday) it was my turn to drive and choose the location.  We had to go to the second choice due to a schedule for service being made by Terry with Comcast to arrive at his house by 5:00PM.  Geez, it was tough enough to change dates but now we had to cut into our potential drinking time!

As happens so often, things worked out for the best!  We chose Columbia Kettle Works which was a lot closer than our first choice for the day thereby only cutting into our driving time instead of the more important drinking time. This is a small craft brewery set right in the heart of Columbia, PA.  Our bartender/waitress/hostess was a young lady by the name of Kristine.  She is part owner of the establishment and very knowledgeable of all the beers being sold.  There were 11 on tap and 1 hard cider.  All the offerings were brewed on location and small samples of any were readily available.  I explained the kind of beer I like and Kristine readily suggested one for me, first providing a sample.  It was excellent but had a 9.0% alcohol level so it limited my ability to have another since I was the driver.  When I return I'm getting someone else to drive or hiring a cab!

Kristine was very engaging with us while maintaining a concern for other customers and what their needs were.  She represents the kind of customer service we have come to enjoy but don't always experience.  There is a limited menu of food available and a small selection of local wines.  Many of their beer offerings are available in 32 or 64 ounce growlers. Select the link above to go directly to their website and view all of their offerings.

Overall, the facility is very welcoming and clean.  Our experience with staff was enjoyable and we will return with other folks to give it a try again.  And, as happens so often, Terry did know someone at this establishment.  This time it was one of the other 4 people sitting at the bar!

If you come, be ready to pay for parking as there are only metered spots on the street out front and in the back. Just $0.50 per hour.

Scooters Restaurant & Bar - Bar # 76

#76 of "Retired Guys Beer Afternoon"

As this was the first Tuesday of the month, it was Terry's turn to drive and to select the bar to go to. Terry's choice was Scooters in Lititz, PA.

Scooters is a local Bar and Restaurant with a selection of 10 beers on draft with only two taps dedicated to large brewery "light" beers.  On this visit there were only 7 craft draft selections as they were having trouble with one of the kegs.  There was an excellent mix from porter to IPA.  A very large selection of bottled beers was also available.

Our bartender, Jen, was very engaging and knowledgeable of the beer selection available even though she admitted to being not much of a beer drinker herself.  She freely offered small samples of beer before we committed and saved me from buying a beer that I would not have liked (a Sam Adams concoction that represented the first Sam Adams beer I did not care for!).

When we went to our first 75 bars it became apparent to me that Terry is either extremely well known in the Lancaster area or is a raging bar fly.  Turns out that in this location, Terry knew the bartender or she knew him as she hangs out occasionally with his daughters.  From now on, I will report on whether he knows or is known by someone at our bar of choice.

Is Scooters worth going to again?  We have committed to not going to the same place again together but both agreed we would return with others and in Terry's case that would be his wife and in mine, that would be with any female willing to accompany me!