Topics

More

The Best Bar In State College For Each Type Of Alcoholic Drink

It’s almost the weekend, folks.

If you’ve got a specific drink you’re looking to find in State College this weekend, this is the post for you. Whether you’re looking for whiskey on the rocks, an ice-cold beer, or a glass of wine, there’s a spot in State College that’ll have what you’re looking for.

We compiled a list of the best spots in State College to find the drink of your choice. This list is based purely on selection and quality, not value, ambiance, or any other factors. As always, make sure to drink responsibly, Penn State.

Domestic Beer: Federal Taphouse Or A’s Pub

I know this is a cop-out, but I couldn’t pick just one for this. Federal Taphouse has an insane selection, with over 100 beers on tap, many of which are domestic and/or local brews. It’s almost overwhelming how many options they have.

On the other hand, A’s Pub has a much smaller selection but frequently rotates its brews, so there’s always something new to try. It often carries a few international beers, but most of its selection are beers from local breweries like New Trail, Tröegs, and Iron City.

Imported Beer: Zeno’s

Zeno’s has a great domestic selection as well, but I don’t think anyone would argue against the idea Zeno’s has the best-imported beer selection in State College. Zeno’s always has a wide selection of beers imported, mainly from Europe, that are hard to find in many other places in Pennsylvania, let alone State College.

Wine: Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery

Happy Valley has some great vineyards and wineries, but after talking to some friends and colleagues, it seemed Mount Nittany Vineyard is the most popular spot. The vineyard is located near Mount Nittany, about 15 minutes from State College, making all types and varieties of their own wine.

Cocktails: Central Reservation

I mean, it says it right on their sign! “Classy cocktails” is what Central Reservation does best. This Beaver Avenue bar is a little upscale for some college students, but when parents and alumni roll into town for the weekend, this is often one of their favorite spots.

Whiskey: Local Whiskey

Located right next to Central Reservation, Local Whiskey has an extremely extensive selection of whiskeys, bourbons, and scotches. If you’re a whiskey enthusiast, you’ll have a field day in this place.

Vodka: Barrel 21 Distillery

Barrel 21 is a State College distillery located on North Atherton Street, about 15 minutes north of downtown State College. While it’s known primarily for its whiskeys, it’s also one of the only distilleries in Happy Valley that distill its own vodka.

Tequila: Big Spring Spirits

Another local distillery is Big Spring Spirits. This Bellefonte distillery, like Barrel 21, has all sorts of spirits and liqueurs but is definitely the best spot in Happy Valley to get locally distilled tequila. If you’re looking for rum or gin, this is a great spot for that too. They’re also opening up a location in Downtown State College very soon, so you won’t even need to drive to Bellefonte to pick up your favorite spirits.

Cider: 814 Cider Works

It’s a bit outside State College, but 814 Cider Works is an excellent craft cidery in Happy Valley. The cidery itself features a rotating menu of its own ciders, located only about 10 minutes from downtown State College. Their ciders are also available at many downtown bars and distributors.

Vodka Sodas: Champs Downtown On Thursdays From 9 P.M. To Midnight

They’re $1.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Mikey DeAngelis

Mikey DeAngelis is a senior majoring in film production who is also serving as one of Onward State's visual editors. During his free time, he enjoys making content for his YouTube channel. Mikey loves Philly sports, traveling and hiking in National Parks, and watching movies. To reach Mikey, feel free to reach out on Twitter (@mikey_deangelis) or by email ([email protected]).

OS Reviews: Pickle’s Barbecue

Delicious brisket with a side of Wednesday trivia night? Yes, please.

Penn State Football Sorting Out Defensive Issues During Bye Week

The first two games yielded inconsistent defensive results.

What Songs Are Famous Penn Staters (Probably) Listening To?

We set out to guess what songs the most famous Nittany Lions could have on repeat.

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
60.4kFollowers
4,570Subscribers