Well, we’re officially three weeks into 2017 and so far the worst thing to happen is a horse and buggy breakdown on Main Street! In fact, our 2017 here at the 1777 Americana Inn B&B and Black Forest Brewery has been filled with more blessings than we can already count!
So, I’d love to take this opportunity to highlight some of the fortune that we have enjoyed so far this year!
December 13, 2016 was the actual 2nd Anniversary of our on-site pub, the Black Forest Brewery but our actual party was held on January 14th. The brewery marked the occasion with an all day event including two custom food bars including chili from local Berks county business, So Good Homemade Soups & Salad, a vodka tasting from Pennsylvania distillery, FABER, and music from the ever talented duo, Two Pints Shy. The day was much anticipated after last year’s success and it did not disappoint. We saw new friends, old friends, and fellow brewers all stop in between 12-9pm to congratulate Denise and Bob on the brewery’s overwhelming achievements in only 2 short years. While the thermometer read a bit on the chilly side, guests were plenty warm inside our cozy tasting room and spacious patio tent. Around 7 o’clock, I took a peek into the tent and witnessed singing, laughing, drinking…in short all the indulgences of the best kind. Knowing personally how much effort and time it takes to put on such an event, I felt nothing but pride when we served the last beer of the night.
With the success of the anniversary party still fresh in our spirits, the Black Forest Brewery was hit with another unexpected accolade, this time focusing on its menu choices. Cue, the Food Network ( and a serious fan girl moment)!! A few months ago, I was bartending and had a pleasant conversation with a very intelligent and charismatic young writer. She was touring the great Keystone state looking for all of the best foods Pennsylvania had to offer. Her goal in Lancaster was to find Pennsylvania Dutch staples such as shoofly pie, chicken pot pie and the ever popular Pennsylvania Dutch platter or to some a Dutch lunch. Luckily for her, such an item had been on our menu since the start and we were happy to oblige her need to try all of our local snack foods on one platter! Fast forward to mid-January when Katherine Rapin’s article was released on the Food Network website and featured our Black Forest Brewery Pennsylvania DUTCH PLATTER! It was surreal! To think our platter chalk full of local fan favorites like Hippy’s Ring Bologna, Green Dragon Farmer’s Cheese, Homemade Dill Pickles, Premise Made Red Beet Eggs and local hard pretzels was on Food Network was astonishing and such an unexpected surprise! I’m proud of our menu and our beers, but I would have said pigs would fly before thinking our little craft brewery would ever be a feature stop in an article for Food Network! It truly is a testament to standing by your products, your service, and your patrons…we thank everyone for our continued success and forgiveness for having to listen to us brag about this article for the whole next year!
Click here to read Katherine’s full Food Network article!
But, the brewery isn’t the only business having a great 2017 so far. The 1777 Americana Inn B&B has seen its rooms fuller than the past two previous years, we have met guests from near and far who continue to spread the word about our rooms, service, and community, and we of course have a beautifully remodeled patio and venue space for your next event! We are busy booking bridal showers, girls’ weekends, and a few surprise engagements! If you’re looking for the perfect intimate venue, please give us a call for more details!
Black Forest Brewery & 1777 Americana Inn B&B event featuring a Wine & Gourmet Cheese Table.
So, looking back at the past 26 days…there is not much to complain about. I feel optimistic that 2017 will provide our businesses with much prosperity and continue to see Ephrata grow as a community! Cheers to 2017!
