Fall seemed s-l-o-w to arrive, but it was worth the wait. Cooler temps have now taken hold which means sweater weather is finally here.
Our scenic hillsides are now saturated with vivid hues of red, yellow and orange, encouraging us to get out to explore – leisurely state park hikes, scenic drives and cozy winery tasting rooms are all on the top of my list. 
Have you heard the expression “filling your cup?” The meaning behind the phrase encourages all of us to make self-care a priority. When you take time for yourself and are able to fill your emotional and spiritual cup, you can better care for others. It’s a beautiful concept on which to focus this fall and winter.
May we suggest filling your cup in two ways: sip your way through the SRV’s wineries and breweries (many have seasonal varieties that are only offered this time of year) and then get some needed R&R at a cozy cabin, inn or country suite.
Here are a few recommendations.
Wineries: Savor the Season’s Best
Fall is harvest time for SRV wineries, and thankfully many of them offer cozy tasting rooms with views of rolling hills and expansive vineyards. Every winery has their own specialties, but if you’re looking for fall-forward flavors, look for an apple wine.
Shade Mountain Winery in Middleburg has not one, not two, but three apple wines (Country Spiced Apple, Smokehouse Apple, and Sparkling Apple) plus an apple cider slushie made with their Anniversar
y white wine. Your biggest challenge might be which one to choose first!
Love bubbles? Check out Shade Mountain’s Three Witches’ Sparkling white wine, only available while supplies last (Insider’s tip: stock up now for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations). If hard soda is more your style, they also have hard Root Beer and hard Orange Creamsicle.
Fero Vineyards and Winery in Lewisburg also has an apple wine as one of their fruity varietals, and a limited-time apple cider slushie made with their apple wine.
If you’re looking to sip safely, consider a winery and lodging pairing. We suggest Union Cellars Winery and Firefly Lodge Air BnB, just five minutes from one another. Another option?
Fero Winery in Lewisburg is just a 3-minute drive from the freshly renovated and newly rebranded Inn at Lewisburg, offering a refined, boutique experience for guests.
The Susquehanna River Valley is home to so many wonderful wineries, far too many to list here! From hidden countryside gems to vineyard-view tasting rooms, there’s no shortage of places to raise a glass. For a full list of wineries across our region, visit our wineries webpage at VisitCentralPA.org/food-drink/wineries
Where are my beer-loving friends? Read on.
Breweries: Raise a Glass to Fall Flavors
If you’re a beer aficionado, you already know that fall is one of the best times of year to savor the season’s bold flavors, including pumpkin ales, stouts, and hard ciders. Each one of our local breweries has a unique vibe and brew menu, so there’s truly something for everyone.
The SRV region includes well-known local brands, like Axemann in Selinsgrove, Rusty Rail in Mifflinburg, and Jackass Brewing in Lewisburg, as well as half a dozen hidden gems such as Eclipse, Hidden Stories, Pineknotter Brewing, Covered Bridge Brewhaus, and Lost Mined Brewery.
Here are a few seasonal brews to check out:
Axemann is at the top of the list for seasonal sips offering Quarry Dive Pumpkin Beer, Oktoberfest, Cidermann, and Witch’s Brew, their cocktail of the month, which is ideal for non-beer drinkers.
Rusty Rail is next in line with Pumpkin Swirl beer and Resting Witch Face, a pumpkin latte IPA. Another unusual brew: Waffle Sauce, a maple pecan imperial brown ale. Are you drooling yet?
Jackass, with two locations in Lewisburg and Williamsport, offers a unique brew called Jackass O’Lantern, a Belgian specialty ale. Their website describes it as, “Not your grandma’s pumpkin pie…unless she brewed with a donkey. This brew is carved from the dark side of the pumpkin patch, this Belgian-style strong ale packs spicy yeast character, rich pumpkin flavor, and a wickedly smooth finish. It’s like a jack-o’-lantern with a donkey kick – bright, bold, and just a little mischievous.”
Jackass also offers a brew called Devil’s Orchard, a Belgian strong sour (my fave!). It’s described as “a powerful punch of tartness with a backdrop of sweet Granny Smith apple. Devil’s Orchard is a bold and adventurous, strong sour ale that tantalizes the palate with a complex blend of flavors and aromas showcasing the unique character of sour ales.”
If you’ve had a rough day and need to laugh out loud, check out the entire beer menu at Jackass, including the hilarious names and descriptions of all of their brews.
Looking for a smaller, more intimate venue? Covered Bridge Brewhaus in Shamokin has a Pumpkin Ale that just debuted in early October. Hidden Stories Brewing Company in Selinsgrove has Pumpkin Frost, a pumpkin beer made with local pumpkins plus spices – and a pumpkin-tini for non-beer drinkers.
All of this sipping means you might want to consider staying.
Did you know that Rusty Rail has opulent overnight suites where you can retreat to your cozy room, just steps away from their taproom? Sweet, indeed. And Jackass Brewing, located on the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail, is less than a mile away from the brand-new Fairfield Inn and Suites.
Stay in Style: Cozy Cabins to Brewery Suites
The region offers endless choices for cozy lodging, from charming bed and breakfasts, to picturesque remote cabins, refined hotel experiences, and brewery suites.
We’ve mentioned a few options already, but here are a few more cozy options:
- Foxboro Lodge – a rustic countryside escape near Shade Mountain Winery and Axemann Tavern
- Sleepy Hollow Inn Bed and Breakfast – less than 20 minutes from Lost Mined Brewing Company, Covered Bridge Brewhaus, Oliver’s Cigar and Cocktail Lounge, Spyglass Ridge, and Whispering Oaks Vineyard
- Selinsgrove Inn – a colonial-style Inn with unique charm and boutique rooms just steps from downtown Selinsgrove and walking distance to Axemann and Hidden Stories Brewing Company
There are a lot of lodging choices, depending on your preferences and budget, but don’t be overwhelmed. Start planning at VisitCentralPA.org.
Or, reach out to our team at the Visitors Bureau – we can help you choose the perfect fall itinerary for your style, tastes, and budget. Visit us at 2733 State Route 45 in Milton (Montandon) or give us a call at 1 (800) 525-7320.
Let us help you plan a fun and memorable Susquehanna River Valley fall experience.
Cheers to fall – and to you!
