Brewing in the PA Wilds: Boom City Brewing Company
- by Britt Madera
- July 11, 2023
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Part of the Brewing in the PA Wilds series
If you’re striving to eat (and drink) local while celebrating the region’s lumber history, Boom City Brewing Company in Williamsport will keep you happy while visiting the I-80 Frontier of the Pennsylvania Wilds!
Co-owners William Fredo and Mark Lorson pay homage to Williamsport’s history as Lumber Capital of the World, with everything from their menu and specialty drinks as well as the restaurant’s interior design all highlighting the lumber that made the city what it is today.
Even the name of the brewery, Boom City Brewing Company, honors the Susquehanna Boom, which was the series of barriers in the West Branch of the Susquehanna that were used to catch debris or temporarily stop logs while floating down the river.
Rough-cut timber and earth tones are used throughout the restaurant, and you can even learn some history while you eat or drink. Some of the menu items are named after the city’s lumber history and geography, including beers like “The Last Raft” and the “Muddy River Black Porter.”
The microbrewery has their own beers on tap daily, along with wines, ciders, and liquors made throughout Pennsylvania. The Wilds Are Calling Hazy IPA, a brew made at New Trail Brewing in collaboration with 17 other breweries in the PA Wilds region, is also served at Boom City, with part of the proceeds going back to the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship’s mission of marrying conservation and economic development in this rural region.
House brews are always on tap: Pine St Pilsner, “Last Raft Fruit Wheat” Raspberry Wheat (which won 2020 PA Farm Show 3rd place and 2021 PA Farm Show 2nd place), Muddy River Porter (which won 2022 PA Farm Show 3rd place), Log Jam IPA, and River Haze Hazy IPA.
Boom City Brewing walks the walk when it comes to caring about other entrepreneurs and keeping their products local. As much as possible, when in season, food ingredients are purchased from local farmers and meat suppliers.
The restaurant caters to both families and sports fans, with a friendly atmosphere and many TVs where you can watch your favorite game.
Want some fantastic food to go along with your tasty cold drinks? Boom City offers lunch, dinner and late-night offerings. Burgers and giant pretzels are familiar and delicious favorites, and there are also options such as steak or salmon if you’re craving something fancier.
The microbrewery also has outdoor seating that is open during the nice weather, and live music can typically be found at Boom City Brewing on Fridays and Saturdays.
Boom City Brewing Company is a Host Site member in the Experience Makers category of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania. Learn more about Boom City Brewing Company and leave them a review or recommendation on their WCO profile.
About the Brewing in the PA Wilds series:
Each Tuesday, the PA Wilds blog will spotlight a brewery that is owned and operated within the 13-county PA Wilds region. As a wise hiker once told us, “Every trail should end with a beer.” We tend to agree! With all of the outdoor rec opportunities and brew pubs in our region, it’s easy to end an adventure with a side trip to a brewery to treat yourself, unwind, stretch your aching muscles and laugh with newfound friends. Use these brewery spotlights to learn more about the brewing businesses in the PA Wilds, their passion behind what they do, and the ales you can get when you stop there.
