Everybody knows your name. Cliché? Maybe. But that’s the authentic, come-as-you-are vibe at Boneshire Brew Works, a neighborhood hangout that’s a hit for anyone who wants to sit back, relax, and enjoy good company.
Beer. People. Pizza.
Alan Miller credits his brewery’s longevity to a simple three-point formula. The self-taught head brewer and co-owner at Boneshire Brew Works values quality beer, quality people, and quality pizza. Owning a small business has ups and downs every day, but staying true to the values that matter most has carried the Harrisburg brewery through the challenges.
Craft beer and pizza are a natural match. The Neapolitan style pizza is Boneshire’s ace-in-the-hole when it comes to keeping customers of all ages happy. Fired at 700 to 800 degrees, it doesn’t take long to crisp up the thin dough and deliver a piping hot pizza to hungry guests. Bonshire makes its own dough with a traditional 3 to 4-day fermenting process and offers 15 different flavors. You know you’re doing something right when you’ve got six and seven-year-olds crowning Bonshire as their favorite pizza joint!
Keep it Classic
Every brewer loves the challenge of finding a new recipe, but Miller is more dialed in on the classic techniques and styles. Wanting to be as historically accurate as possible, Miller says they’ll sometimes have trouble keeping up with demand for their Kolsch because the traditional process is a lengthy one
Boneshire’s taps are filled with lagers, pilsners, and German ales. They’ll also brew Northeast IPAs, West Coast IPAs, stouts and porters. Fan favorites? Green Machine is a 7.2% ABV American IPA that’s available year-round. Most breweries brew an “Oktoberfest.” At Boneshire, it’s “Pigtoberfest,” a get-it-while-you-can beer whose names is a nod to Miller’s family history with pig farming. (Notice the Hampshire pig in the brewery’s logo?)
Come as you are
Lawyers. Teachers. Retirees. All are welcome to hang out and experience Boneshire’s laid back atmosphere. Despite a modest physical footprint, the Mug Club boasts more than 420 members. Miller says it’s a testament to the way a small but welcoming space has a way of feeling like home. It’s a neighborhood craft beer and pizza place without any pretense. A place where bartenders and waitstaff don’t rush out after their shifts but grab a spot at the bar to raise a glass with friends.
Bigger is Not Always Better
Miller knows the current space on Derry Street can get tight, but any expansion would have to be in step with keeping things economical for customers. And that starts with a do-it-yourself spirit that’s helped to guide the brewery through the years. Miller is proud that most of the space has been built from scratch or repurposed to make it work for the brewery’s needs. There’s no push to be something they are not. “You know, if you're looking for fancy napkins and silverware, you're not going to get that here," he says. “You're going to get brown napkins, plastic silverware and good beer.”
Miller loves being a baseball dad, giving back to his community, making people happy, and making great beer. If that’s a vibe that resonates, you’ll feel at home at Boneshire. They may not know your name yet, but they’re happy to save you a seat.
Boneshire Brew Works is on the Hershey Harrisburg Brew Barons Beer Trail.
