Iron Hill Brewery – Connect With Good Beer, Burgers, And More

“The first thing I ever cooked was when I was 7 years old. I stole a recipe and made an apple dumpling in the middle of the night. I got in trouble the next day for doing that, until my family tasted it and loved it!”

Chef Anthony Beaner, from Iron Hill Brewery, always had a knack for cooking. Though he wasn’t always planning on pursuing the culinary arts, his energy needed to be channeled somewhere.

“I did not go to school for culinary,” said Anthony, laughing. “But I hated standing still—so I kept cooking. And cooking.”

We met Anthony at a corner table at Iron Hill Brewery. The vibe of the restaurant is comfortable, perfect for an intimate meal or a celebration with friends. The craft beer and scratch-made food offers a delightful mix of familiar flavor with new seasonal twists.

Anthony grew up in Lancaster, and always enjoyed cooking. But after taking some cooking classes at Hempfield High School, his eyes were opened to an even bigger world of opportunity.

“After Hempfield, my first job was at Jack’s—they were known for their French fries.” He said he had to cut each potato by hand—an experience he both enjoyed and valued. “It taught me a lot.”

As his passion grew, so did his experience. Anthony took a job as a general manager of Houlihans Baltimore right near the harbor before coming back to his hometown to invest in the community.

“Lancaster is just so unique,” said Anthony. “It’s nice to see Lancaster keeping its Pennsylvania roots, while also adding more restaurants that are bringing in different perspectives.”

At Iron Hill, Anthony hopes the handcrafted menu continues to impress.

“We really like to try everything here—we try to incorporate different ethnicities and flavors into our recipes,” said Anthony. “We have a diverse team. We have someone from Nepal, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and other places—so we are able to have a unique menu because of their influence too.”

Iron Hill Brewery officially began in 1996, when the first beer was poured in Newark, DE. Since, it has gotten quite the reputation for astounding food and beer to pair. When the brewery/restaurant decided to open a location in Lancaster, the perfect space was available—right near F&M College on the West End. Although there are numerous locations around the East Coast, Iron Hill Brewery prides itself on channeling local flavors, crafting distinct menus, and investing in community growth.

“Some people may think of Iron Hill as a chain just because we have twelve locations and are growing,” said Anthony. “But we make everything from scratch with fresh ingredients—nothing is bagged, boxed, or microwaved, and every location is always doing something unique, from chef-featured menu items to the beers we are brewing and putting on tap at each of our twelve on-site breweries.”

It’s an experience—from start to finish.

“Just use top quality ingredients—that’s my method,” added Anthony. “Start with a great product, end with a great product.”

The menu boasts an eclectic mix of beer perfect to pair with a variety of dishes. And with a new handy guide in the menu, even the brew beginner can find out what beverage matches best with what flavors.

“A lot of people come here to specifically pick a beer and dish combination,” said Anthony. “And we are here to help.”

And what pairs well with beer? Burgers!

Each summer the team at Iron Hill hosts a National Burger Month celebration special in May, where a new premium burger is offered each day ranging from classic flavors to outrageous combinations. Some of the burgers are so popular that they then make it onto the official menu later on!

Cue: The Drunk Monk Burger.

The Drunk Monk Burger debuted in the National Burger Month 2017 celebration, and was brought back to be a regular item due to its immense popularity.

The burger has Wee Heavy Ale-caramelized onions, mushrooms, arugula, rosemary truffle aioli, brie cheese—all served on a potato roll. Also, the addition of a sunny-side egg is optional. So of course, we wanted to add it!

I could tell Chef Anthony works with a strong, collaborative team. It has to be, since the staff create a variety of dishes ranging from Fish and Chips, to Char-Grilled Ribeye Steak. Plus with salads, burgers, soups, pizzas, shared plates, and desserts, Iron Hill has a large assortment of fine-tuned and delicious options for a dinner date, or shareable feast.

“At this point, I love just pleasing customers and having fun while making dishes that they really enjoy,” said Anthony.

One of Anthony’s fondest recipes that he makes on his personal time is a classic Pennsylvania Dutch Pot Pie.

“Everyone in my family has their own version of the Pennsylvania Dutch Pot Pie,” said Anthony. “And everyone is loyal to that version!”

Overall, his favorite dish to make at home is Chicken Florentine—a recipe passed down from his grandmother, who was Italian. Carrying on his family’s tradition is at the forefront of some tastes he creates for his own dinner experiences.

Chef Anthony put the finishing touches on the Drunk Monk Burger—and it looked incredible. We couldn’t wait to taste it!

Paired with their classic thick cut sweet potato fries, the dish was best served fresh. And Deb and I were ready to dig in.

I can’t say enough about the combination of flavors. I love brie cheese, and having that matched with the caramelized onions was a delicious mix. The sunny-side egg was a great addition—I am a huge fan of eggs on burgers, and this did not disappoint!

Add your favorite brew and you’re good to go.

Anthony presented the dish with a smile, and probably enjoyed watching us quickly clean the plate.

“It’s great to hear feedback from customers,” said Anthony. “We focus on quality ingredients, and watching that pay off is fun.”

As far as giving tips for someone looking into the culinary field, Anthony was quick to encourage.

“Have thick skin—do not let one day affect the next,” Anthony said. “In this industry, you can start every day with a fresh slate. And never sacrifice quality for speed!”

We can vouch that he lives by his motto.

Discover all that Iron Hill Brewery has to offer online. Explore their food menu and drink menu before planning your next night out. Spring is approaching, and with it comes weather perfect for dining out. Iron Hill, with its refreshing brews and rich flavors, is waiting for you.