‘Brews in the Barn’ at Millbrook slated for September 28

Before Millbrook Playhouse was founded as a theater in 1963, it was a dairy farm, and during Prohibition it was used to smuggle bootleg alcohol without the authorities noticing.

This September, those who are 21 and older will be able to visit Millbrook and also get alcohol, perfectly legally.

The annual “Brews In The Barn” event will be held at Millbrook on September 28, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. The Poorman Courtyard will fill up with people attending for some good food and drink, helping to raise funds for the historic theater. The event is a beer-tasting experience, featuring local craft breweries, home beer brewers, and national brands supplied by local businesses W.R. Hickey and Bald Eagle Distributors.

“When this event started twelve years ago, it was a great event. It’s only gotten better,” stated Adam Coleman, event chairperson. “When I stepped in to begin organizing the event three years ago, I said to myself that I wanted us to grow to be ‘THE’ beer fest in central Pennsylvania. We are steadily getting there.”

Though the event began with simply local breweries, it grew to include beers brewed further and further away, and now has added beers from out of state, such as Devil’s Backbone from Virginia and Founder’s from Michigan.

But the event isn’t just about beer, either.

The day will also feature ‘Your Cigar Den’ cigar truck, complete with a designated smoking area, for anyone who is into cigars. There will be beer-related gadgets, live music, and a supply of excellent local food.

Millbrook will also be holding the Third Annual Chili Cook-Off during the event. There are two divisions: Restaurants, and home cooks, with over a thousand dollars in cash prizes for each division. The cooking begins in the morning at ten-thirty, and the judging will take place at five PM. According to Coleman, the first year they only had six participants, but by last year, it had grown to include seventeen different chilies.

Anyone interested in being part of the event, such as submitting your own homemade beer, may contact Adam at 570-263-0549.  To get tickets for the event, contact the box office at 570-748-8083 or info@millbrookplayhouse.org. Tickets are $35 with pre-registration, and $40 at the door. All ticket sales will be final, with no refunds, and ID is required to prove you are over twenty-one.

“This is a big event,” said Millie Crawford, Millbrook board member. “Last year, we had a great turnout. We’re hoping for just as good this year.”

If you’re in town for the weekend, and looking for other things to do before or after the event, the Piper Aviation Museum is at One Piper Way, and displays the history of Piper aircraft, which were made in Lock Haven from 1937 to 1984. The Station Gallery is home to the Clinton County Arts Council at 2 East Bald Eagle Street, and shows a variety of art styles, frequently done by local artists. And if you’re in the mood for a leisurely drive that showcases much of the area’s beauty, the Elk Scenic Drive begins in Lock Haven at Route 120, and travels 127 miles, covering a good possibility of seeing elk, and five state parks.

Millbrook Playhouse is at 258 Country Club Lane in Mill Hall, Clinton County, which puts it very near the conjunction of the I-80 Frontier, Dark Skies, Elk Country, and Pine Creek Valley & PA Grand Canyon.

Autumn is a wonderful time in the Pennsylvania Wilds. There’s plenty to do, and visitors are more than welcome to drop by the Millbrook Playhouse, and have a beer while they’re at it.

“Where else in central Pennsylvania are you going to find great beer from all of your favorite breweries, great food from all of our local eateries, great chili from many local home chefs, as well as restaurant-level chili?” asked Coleman. “Bundle that all up with great live local music, and you have yourself a great time.”

To learn more about Millbrook Playhouse, visit www.millbrookplayhouse.net.