beer" showed us the empire being built by two guys from Harrisburg. Troëgs new location shouts "new." Even though the building itself is not brand-new construction, most of the equipment is state of the art and spotless, underscoring a bright future of continued growth.

Andrea took us through the doors that read: "Troëgs Co-Workers Only. Please Don't Bother the Beer."

Trying not to bother the beer, the members of our trio traipsed behind her attempting to stem our eagerness to see the plant. Troëgs has gained a well-deserved reputation for making a quality product above and beyond the mainstays of the international brewery conglomerates.

Andrea was the ideal guide to start our beer-themed day. Bubbling over with information, her love of beer and specifically Troëgs beer was contagious. She provided us with the basic history of these beverages, as would be expected. While she obviously knew her stuff, her excitement grew as she recounted the tales associated with this particular brew.

In addition to our group's beer novice (yours truly), we counted among our happy number a beer connoisseur (Tom) and a former home brewer (Joe). I absorbed as much as I could about the process of beer making while my compatriots awaited the tastings with enthusiasm. First though, the trail from raw ingredients to finished product.

Handing us small containers of barley, Andrea explained that each tiny cup contained a few dozen grains of assorted types with varying flavors. The rich taste of these little grains surprised us. From earthy to downright coffee-like, each was strong and tasty. After seeing the barley mill and the mash tuns, we wound our way to the fermentation tanks.

A five-gallon bucket sat next to the 30-foot tall tanks where the yeast-generated carbon dioxide vigorously churned the liquid in the pail. Sloshing around on the floor, one could only imagine the work being done by the microorganisms in the 60-barrel (1,860-gallon) chrome tanks. As she explained the chemical processes going on, Andrea tapped the tank and poured some of the fresh brew into a pitcher. Our grateful beer enthusiasts became little kids on Christmas morn.

Even though it was poured from a plastic decanter into little disposable cups, the ultimate freshness of this sip of Troëgs was definitely a highlight of the tour. I wasn't expecting much out of this taste test other than to have a "beer," but Troëgs definitely brings something to this market that I've never experienced, and that clearly isn't offered by the "Big Two" major brewers.

No longer a "home brew," Troëgs has graduated to a regional craft brewery, with tasty varieties ranging from JavaHead Stout, Dead Reckoning Porter, and Troegenator Double Bock to Sunshine Pils, DreamWeaver Wheat, and a holiday ale, Mad Elf.

Available in Pennsylvania and the surrounding states (except West