Dinner at IRON HILL - You can get a Hefeweizen

It always starts with "You can get a Hefeweizen." And that's about all it takes to convince me to take another trip to one of our sustained Lancaster favorite dinner spots - IRON HILL BREWERY in Lancaster Pennsylvania.

Our first experience with Iron Hill was a positive one. The location is popular with the local F&M crowd and has a very oaky / "I have lots of leather bound books" type decor. Strong wood accents frame the interior space that's brought together with fine menu design, great service and an honest meal at a reasonable price. If you go on Friday or Saturday night it might be wise to call ahead for reservations and ask for a booth! If you are comfortable with a table and chair thats ok, but be prepared to be seated in the open. Wait staff and customers will be trekking by you all night. If this is an issue for you too (it is for me) I suggest putting your name down for a cozy booth. There's not a bad booth in the house. Honestly (and this is just my opinion) if its just two of you, the best booth in the house resides in the dining room to the left of the entrance way. Walk in and keep bending to the left. You'll see the little nook booth. A perfect date spot!

Once seated we are always greeted in the same manner. "Is this your first time at Iron Hill?" to which we always respond "Nope" with big smiles. Usually our body language tells the waiter we had a good experience during our last visit. And this is key. It feels like the weight of first impressions lifts from their shoulders. As if this time around they are dealing with a returning client and the success of this experience isn't entirely on them. As a customer this relief lets us get down to the real business of beer and food!

THE MENU

It's quite the exhibit. Large with heavy durable construction. Before opening the novel I was charmed by the coloring and text choice. I'm a sucker for good design. Opening it delves you deeper into this place. This is what Iron Hill banks on. See for yourself here. Aside from the main menu delights are little inserts that describe the nightly specials and of course seasonal on-tap beer! The design allows for easy understanding and also looks really good.

THE CHOICES

We begin with a seasonal beer sampler. For $1 each you can choose to sample as many of the seasonal beers you want. They are served in 3oz glasses and set on a piece of paper that's been labeled by your waiter with the name of beer that resides on it. A nice gesture after you've had a few tastes and the glasses become empty look-a-likes. I've also noticed (but this is probably because of my low tolerance to alcohol) that the beer here might have higher than usual alcohol percentages by volume than your standard bud in a bottle. Because after a few sampler's you are drunk. Well, I'm drunk. Mostly because I'm drinking on an empty stomach and mostly because I drink beer when I come to Iron Hill. Not very often on both. Either way, I suggest the seasonal sampler! This light pre-meal buzz perfectly sets you up to order what you really want - a pint of Hefeweizen!

THE MEAL

Rin got the bowl of Steamed Clams - $9.95 and a cup of Crab Soup - $5.00. I got my usual Turkey Burger - $9.95 with a side salad and of course the pint of Hefeweizen. By this time we are talking about so many things and life here in Lancaster is great! We are checked on from time to time but not over whelmed. I've also noticed that the wait staff doesn't come over to ask how things are when you have a face full of food. They wait in the shadows and do their check-ups when you are smiling. When you have a concern it gets answered, when you ask for more it comes out quickly and when you give praise its received with a thank you.

THE GLORIOUS DESERT

Options are limited unless you are into single malts after a fine meal. If you'd like to leave the cigars and brandy in the library, I would suggest the Double Chocolate Hill - $8.95, chocolate cake with warm peanut butter center, chocolate ganache and vanilla ice cream. Enjoy this treat in guilt free fashion because for every Double Chocolate Hill sold the restaurant donates $1.50 to the CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF).

THE FINISH

Oh yeah, almost forgot, the bill. Get ready to understand why there will be a return visit to Iron Hill. For a great meal, beer and desert we routinely drop 40-70 + tip. With bills ending in the $40 range there seems to be less time pasted between visits as compared to the $70 dollar visits. But either way you feel full, mildly buzzed and if you live in Lancaster City ready to walk home!

FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF

IRON HILL BREWERY

781 Harrisburg Pike

Lancaster, PA 17603

http://www.ironhillbrewery.com/lancaster/

Make a reservation on-line or call

P: 717.291.9800

Restaurant Hours

Sunday – Monday: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm

Tuesday – Thursday: 11:00 am – 12:00 am

Friday – Saturday: 11:00 am – 1:00 am

Kitchen Hours

Sunday – Wednesday: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm; Lite Fare after 9:00 pm

Thursday – Saturday: 11:00 am – 12:00 am; Lite Fare after 10:00 pm

Sundays – Prime Rib Dinner: 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm