You’re walking down Chocolate Avenue. The air smells like literal cocoa—because, well, it’s Hershey—but then you catch a whiff of something sharp, malty, and distinctly savory. That’s the smell of a mash tun at work. Honestly, finding a massive, award-winning craft brewery right in the shadow of the world’s most famous chocolate factory feels like a bit of a flex. But Iron Hill Brewery Hershey isn’t just another tourist trap designed to catch the overflow from the park. It’s a beast of its own.
Most people think of Iron Hill as "that regional chain," but the Hershey location has its own vibe. It opened back in late 2018 at the Hershey Press Building, and it immediately filled a gap in the local scene. You have the high-end dining at the Hotel Hershey and the quick-service chaos inside the park. Iron Hill sits right in the middle. It’s where locals go when they want a legit Philly Cheesesteak Eggroll and a pint of Pig Iron Porter without having to deal with the "Everything is Candy" theme of the surrounding three blocks.
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The Beer Situation: It's Not Just About the Gold Medals
Look, Iron Hill is the most decorated brewery at the Great American Beer Festival. That’s a fact. You can’t walk into one of these places without seeing the wall of medals. But does that actually mean the beer in Hershey is good? Usually, yeah.
The cool thing about their setup is the "Scratch" philosophy. They aren't just shipping in kegs from a central warehouse in Delaware. They brew on-site. When you sit at the bar in Hershey, you’re looking at the tanks. If you see the brewer, probably someone like the veteran guys who’ve been with the company for a decade, they're actually milling grain and managing fermenters right there.
What You Should Actually Order
If you’re a hop head, the Philly Phavorite is the standard. It’s a New England IPA that’s hazy but doesn't taste like you're drinking a glass of orange juice with sand in it. It’s balanced. But honestly? The real winners are the classics.
- Vienna Red Lager: It’s clean. It’s malty. It’s what beer used to taste like before everyone started putting lactose and marshmallows in their IPAs.
- Iron Hill Light Lager: Don't scoff. Making a light lager that actually has flavor is harder than making a triple IPA.
- The Seasonal Rotations: This is where the Hershey crew gets to have fun. Sometimes it's a Belgian Tripel that will sneak up on you at 9% ABV; other times it's a dry-hopped pilsner.
The beer is consistent. That’s the keyword. You know exactly what that Vienna Red is going to taste like every single time you sit down. For some, that’s boring. For most, it’s a relief.
The Food: Scratched-Made and Surprisingly Complex
Most brewery food is a tragedy. It’s frozen tenders and soggy fries. Iron Hill Hershey avoids this because they have a "scratch kitchen." This means they're making the dressings, the sauces, and the dough from actual ingredients.
The menu is huge. Like, intimidatingly huge.
You’ve got the burgers, which are solid. The "Brewski" burger with mushrooms and bacon is a staple. But then you look at the entrees. They do a Moroccan Salmon that has no business being as good as it is in a brewery. It’s got smashed premium gold potatoes, red onion, orange, and a herb-yogurt sauce. It’s sophisticated. It’s weirdly healthy-ish for a place that also serves fried cheese.
The Great Eggroll Debate
If you go to Iron Hill and don’t get the Philly Cheesesteak Eggrolls, did you even go? They come with a spicy horseradish mustard and a fried onion dip. They are greasy. They are heavy. They are perfect. It’s the kind of appetizer that makes you want to cancel your entree and just order three more plates of them.
The Hershey Press Building Vibe
Location matters. The Hershey Press Building is historic. It used to be where they printed the wrappers and labels for the chocolate bars. You can feel that history in the architecture—high ceilings, industrial bones, big windows.
It’s loud. Let’s be real. If you’re looking for a quiet, romantic candlelit dinner where you can whisper sweet nothings, this isn't it. Between the open kitchen, the bar crowds, and the families coming back from Hersheypark, the decibel level is usually "energetic."
But that’s part of the draw. It feels alive. You’ve got people in Hershey Bears jerseys sitting next to guys in suits, sitting next to families with kids covered in chocolate smears. It’s the great equalizer of Derry Church.
What Most People Get Wrong About Iron Hill
People assume because it's a "chain," it's the Applebee's of breweries. That's a lazy take. The founders, Kevin Finn, Mark Edelson, and Kevin Davies, started this as a single spot in Newark, Delaware, in the 90s. They grew because they obsessed over quality control.
Every Iron Hill, including Hershey, has a Head Brewer and an Executive Chef. They aren't just "managers." They are makers. They have some autonomy over their menus and their tap lists. This isn't corporate swill. It’s a high-level operation that happens to have multiple locations.
The Kids Question
Yes, it’s a brewery. Yes, you can bring your kids. Hershey is a family town. If they didn't allow kids, they’d be out of business in a month. They have a legit kids' menu—not just crusty nuggets. We're talking grilled chicken, pasta, and even kids' steaks. Plus, they get a little dough to play with while they wait. It keeps them occupied so you can actually finish your flight.
Why It Matters for the Local Economy
Hershey isn't just a theme park; it's a living town. Having a major anchor like Iron Hill in the downtown area helps keep the foot traffic moving away from just the "Chocolate World" bubble. It employs a ton of local staff—servers who know the regulars by name and bartenders who can explain the difference between a West Coast IPA and a Hazy IPA without being condescending about it.
The Realistic Downside
Nothing is perfect.
Wait times during the summer or when the Bears have a home game? Brutal. If you show up at 6:30 PM on a Saturday in July without a reservation, you’re going to be waiting. A long time. The parking in downtown Hershey can also be a bit of a headache, though there are garages nearby.
Also, it's not cheap. You’re paying for that "scratch-made" quality. A dinner for two with a couple of beers and an appetizer will easily north of $80 before tip. Is it worth it? Most of the time, yes. But it’s not a budget-basement meal.
How to Do Iron Hill Hershey Right
If you want the best experience, go during the "off-times." A Tuesday afternoon lunch at Iron Hill is one of the best-kept secrets in the area. It’s quiet, the service is lightning fast, and the beer is just as cold.
Join the King of the Hill loyalty program. Seriously. It’s like 20 bucks, but they give you a $25 credit almost immediately, and you get points for every dollar spent. If you’re going to eat there more than twice a year, it’s a no-brainer. You get invited to special tapping parties and get upgrades on your beer pours.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Visit
- Make a reservation. Use their website or an app. Don't just wing it, especially on weekends.
- Check the "On Tap" list before you go. They update their current beers online. If they have the Russian Imperial Stout on tap, get it. Even if it's 90 degrees out. It's world-class.
- Ask for samples. The bartenders are usually happy to give you a small taster of a beer if you're unsure. Don't commit to a 16oz pour of a sour if you've never had a sour before.
- Walk the area. After you eat, walk down Chocolate Ave. See the streetlights that look like Hershey Kisses. It helps burn off those eggrolls.
- Take beer to go. They have 16oz four-packs and 32oz Crowlers. The beer is always fresher than what you'll find at the distributor.
Iron Hill Brewery Hershey serves as a bridge. It connects the industrial history of the town with the modern craving for high-end craft culture. It's a place that respects the process of brewing as much as the process of hospitality. Whether you're a local escaping the tourist madness or a visitor looking for a "real" meal after a day of roller coasters, it delivers exactly what it promises: good beer, good food, and no nonsense.
Next time you're in town, skip the generic hotel burger. Head over to the Press Building. Grab a seat at the bar. Order a Vienna Red. Relax. You've earned it.