On April 7th, the team at Tröegs Independent Brewing threw open their doors to host CHEERS TO 5 YEARS—a celebration of the Brew Barons Beer Trail, created by Dauphin County’s Destination Marketing Organization, Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, and the passionate community that’s brought it to life.
What began as a way to connect craft beer lovers to local breweries has evolved into something far deeper: a vibrant, economic, and cultural force. As Sharon Myers, CEO of Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, said at the event:
“Craft breweries are more than a pour—they’re places to celebrate with family and friends, places where special events and important community causes come together.”
And the numbers back that up.
This trail alone has drawn over 330,000 website visits and helped push Pennsylvania’s beer industry to a $5.4 billion value—second only to California. But beyond the metrics? It’s about people.
“This is what collaboration tastes like,” said Hannah from Zero Day Brewing. “We’re not just making beer—we’re telling the story of a region.”
Introducing Baron V: Beer as a Love Letter to the Region
Collaboration is at the heart of Pennsylvania's beer community, and that spirit is alive and well in Baron V—a special anniversary project that brings together 12 local breweries, not as competitors, but as co-creators. Together, they’ve crafted three limited-release beers, each designed to reflect both flavor and fellowship:
- Fruited Shandy – A bright, citrusy blend of beer and fruit juice (traditionally lemon), perfect for warm weather sipping.
- Margarita Gose – A tart, salty wheat beer with lime-forward, margarita-inspired notes.
- Witbier – A Belgian-style wheat beer, often brewed with orange peel and coriander for a smooth, spiced finish.
The idea? A new kind of trail—one that encourages visitors to explore, taste, and connect with the full region, one pint at a time.
“We’ve Been Measuring the Wrong Things”
Ryan Unger, CEO of the Greater Harrisburg Chamber and CREDC, reminded us that breweries—and all “third places” like coffee shops and local restaurants—are more than just hangouts. They’re key indicators of a community’s health and vibrancy.
“We’ve been measuring the wrong things,” he said. “Arts, culture, coffee shops, and breweries—these are the magnets that attract talent and create thriving regions.”
This is the kind of ecosystem Yokl was designed to support. We believe in the power of local, the magic of shared space, and the ripple effect of people working together for something bigger than themselves.
Baron V is more than a beer.
It’s a symbol of what happens when community leads.
Cheers to five years—and to what’s brewing next. 🍻
