After a day of bowling for Vince and antique shopping for me and Parker, we were hungry! After the local Chinese joint didn’t pan out, we decided to try to find a brewery with food. Just kidding, that was my plan all along! Moo-Duck is located near the Dove factory in Elizabethtown, PA, and while the air smelled like chocolate, I was on the hunt for hops.
First Impressions
We found Moo-Duck pretty easily, and after parking right out front, we headed inside. There were several patrons inside at the bar, watching local musician Keri Edwards sing by the door. We found an empty table (honestly, I think they were all empty) and settled in.
Tasty Brews
The bartender handed us some menus and told us to come over to the bar to order when we were ready. This seems to be a pretty common practice for breweries, so we did as we were told and put in an order for food (more on that in a bit) and some drinks.
Vince’s first beer was “A Beer For Dad,” an amber lager that didn’t just have an evocative name but also packed quite the punch. Rich and full-bodied, the beer possessed a slammability rating of 6. On the other hand, I took a walk on the wilder side with “The Big Mango,” a triple IPA. With its robust hops, it truly showcased the essence of an IPA. Though I tried hard to taste the mango over the hops, I must say it was still quite a delightful experience. Guess I’m getting the hang of this beer-tasting gig!
Our second round of beers saw Vince enjoying “Gaining on Last Place”, a crisp pilsner, while I opted for the “On Steph Terms Peach Hefeweizen”. The peachy undertones were refreshing.
Live Music
Adding a special touch to our evening was the live performance by Keri Edwards. Armed with just her guitar, she took us on a musical journey, ranging from Meghan Trainor covers to her originals. The variety and her vocal prowess truly made the evening memorable.
Delicious Food
Our visit to Moo-Duck started off with a search for food, and that’s exactly what we got. Our taste buds rejoiced at the smoked wings drenched in hot sauce. Sourced from local butcher shop Groff’s Meats, the wings were juicy, meaty, and had just the right kick. At $13, they were quite a steal. Next up were the nachos, served with cheese and chili. Though the queso reminded me a bit of movie theater cheese (don’t get me wrong, I like the stuff!), the chili was a delightful surprise – mildly sweet with a hearty presence of beans. And the pepperoni flatbread? A real treat!
Ambiance
One thing that stood out at Moo-Duck Brewery was its family-friendly ambiance. We noticed a family leaving when we arrived, and later a dad walked in with his kids, suggesting a wholesome atmosphere. The crowd, largely comprising locals and of our age group or older, added a cozy, community vibe to the place. We also noticed that there aren’t any TVs in the place, which in my opinion is pretty nice! Vince tends to get distracted by sports when there’s a TV around with them on, as they often are in breweries and bars.
One note, since it’s something I usually mention: Moo-Duck does not appear the be dog-friendly.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the mood for some craft beers, great music, and tasty food, Moo-Duck Brewery in Elizabethtown is the place to be. You can find Moo-Duck at 79 S. Wilson Avenue, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Check their website to see what’s on tap.
