PA Historic Places

Touring Straub Brewery in Elk County

A collage of four photos capturing moments from a tour of Straub Brewery in Elk County, PA. The top left image shows the inviting exterior of the Straub Brewery Visitor Center and Tap Room, a historic red-brick building with a vintage truck parked in front and signage welcoming visitors. The top right image features a tour guide passionately explaining the brewing process beside vintage copper brewing equipment, showcasing the traditional craftsmanship still alive at the brewery. The bottom left image highlights three wooden tap handles labeled Straub Light, Lager, and Amber, attached to a keg, representing the brewery’s dedication to quality and tradition in their beer offerings. The bottom right image is a historic black-and-white photograph of Anthony, Peter, and Joseph Straub, three significant figures in the brewery’s history, standing proudly with wooden beer barrels. Since 1872, Straub Brewery has been one of the oldest family-owned and operated breweries in the United States, continuing to produce German-American style lagers and traditional craft beer at its original location in St. Marys, PA.

If you’re looking for information about touring Straub Brewery in Elk County, you’re in the right place!

The Straub Brewery tour offers a lesson in brewing history and craftsmanship at one of America’s oldest family-owned and operated breweries.

A view of the entrance to the Fermenting Room B at Straub Brewery in Elk County, PA. The door is covered with clear plastic strip curtains, allowing visibility while maintaining temperature and cleanliness within the fermenting area. A sign on the wooden door reads "FERMENTING ROOM B," with a smaller, worn sign above it instructing, "KEEP DOOR CLOSED." The rustic and utilitarian design of the entrance reflects the traditional brewing practices still in use at Straub Brewery, one of the oldest family-owned and operated breweries in the United States, producing handcrafted German-American style lagers and traditional craft beer since 1872 at its original location in St. Marys, PA.

Established in 1872, Straub Brewery is still producing German-American style lagers at its original location in St. Marys.

A close-up of a brass emblem affixed to a stainless steel brewing vat at Straub Brewery in Elk County, PA. The ornate emblem features the brewery's name and the year of its founding, 1872, along with the phrases "Purity - Age - Quality" and "St. Mary's," highlighting the brewery's long-standing commitment to traditional brewing values. The intricate design of the emblem, with its decorative flourishes and bold lettering, reflects the rich heritage of Straub Brewery, one of the oldest family-owned and operated breweries in the United States, still producing handcrafted German-American style lagers and traditional craft beer at its original location in St. Marys, PA.

Directions | Hours | Admission Fees

The Straub Brewery Visitor Center is located at 444 Brusselles Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.

Tours are offered Wednesday – Sunday at multiple times, although the exact days and times vary by month.

The welcoming entrance to the Straub Brewery Visitor Center in Elk County, PA, featuring a charming brick facade with a white-framed glass door. The entrance is adorned with comfortable seating, including cushioned chairs and a bench with colorful throw pillows, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Green vines climb the surrounding columns, adding a touch of natural beauty to the scene. A black and gold sign next to the door identifies the location as the Straub Brewery Visitor Center, located on Brusselles Street. This entrance reflects the hospitality and rich history of Straub Brewery, one of the oldest family-owned and operated breweries in the United States, still crafting traditional German-American style lagers and beer at its original location in St. Marys, PA, since 1872.

Please visit Straub Brewery’s OFFICIAL WEBSITE to see what days and times are available for the month you are interested in.

A small-batch brewing setup at Straub Brewery in Elk County, PA, featuring three stainless steel kettles connected by a system of pipes and valves. The setup includes a control panel with gauges and buttons to monitor and adjust the brewing process. This equipment is likely used for experimental or limited production brews, reflecting the brewery's commitment to both tradition and innovation. The surrounding area includes large industrial equipment, highlighting the scale of operations at one of the oldest family-owned and operated breweries in the United States, which has been producing German-American style lagers and traditional craft beer at its original location in St. Marys, PA, since 1872.

Tours are FREE and open to anyone ages 12 and up.

What You’ll See on the Straub Brewery Tour

The tour kicks off at the Visitor Center, where you’re introduced to Peter Straub, the German immigrant who founded the brewery with a steadfast commitment to crafting quality beer.

A historic black-and-white photograph on display at Straub Brewery in Elk County, PA, showing three members of the Straub family: Anthony Straub, Peter Straub, and Joseph Straub. The image captures the early days of the brewery, with the men dressed in work aprons, standing in front of stacked wooden beer barrels. The photograph is framed in wood and labeled with the names of each family member, highlighting the brewery's deep roots and the family's role in its founding and operation. Straub Brewery, established in 1872, is one of the oldest family-owned and operated breweries in the United States, continuing to produce German-American style lagers and traditional craft beer at its original location in St. Marys, PA.

The Visitor Center also offers a glimpse into the brewery’s rich history with historic photographs and a looping video that illustrate the evolution of Straub over the past 150 years.

A black-and-white photo displayed in the Straub Brewery visitor center in Elk County, PA, depicting a brewer in protective gear standing between large fermentation tanks inside the fermenting room. The tank is labeled "FERMENTING ROOM TANK #4 201 bbl. CAP," with a safety sign indicating that entry is by permit only due to the confined space. Below the image is a detailed description of the yeast pitching process, explaining the critical role yeast plays in turning wort into beer during fermentation. This exhibit highlights the traditional brewing methods still used at Straub Brewery, which has been crafting beer since 1872.

As you walk through the brewery, you’ll witness the brewing process firsthand.

A tour guide at Straub Brewery in Elk County, PA, standing next to a large stainless steel brewing vat, explaining the brewing process to visitors. The guide, wearing a red Straub Brewery t-shirt and denim shorts, is engaged in describing the traditional brewing techniques used at the brewery. The brewing vat is labeled with a warning sign about confined space, and the setup includes various pipes, valves, and control panels, reflecting the industrial and hands-on nature of the brewing operation. A drink, possibly a beer sample, rests on a nearby platform, adding a casual touch to the scene. Straub Brewery, established in 1872, continues to produce German-American style lagers and traditional craft beer at its original location in St. Marys, PA, making it one of the oldest family-owned and operated breweries in the United States.

From the arrival and storage of raw ingredients like malt and hops to the massive brewing vats where these ingredients are expertly combined to create beer, each step of the process is on display.

A stack of large sacks filled with crystal malt, stored in a room at Straub Brewery in Elk County, PA. The sacks are labeled with the name of the malt supplier and are piled high against a wall, indicating their use in the beer-making process. Crystal malt is a key ingredient in brewing, providing color, flavor, and body to the beer. The storage area, with its industrial setting and large metal vat nearby, reflects the traditional and time-honored brewing methods employed at Straub Brewery, which has been crafting German-American style lagers and traditional craft beer since 1872 at its original location in St. Marys, PA.

You’ll learn about the quality control processes in place to ensure that every batch meets the high standards set by the Straub family for over a century.

A tour guide at Straub Brewery in Elk County, PA, explaining the brewery's quality control process to visitors. The guide, dressed in a red Straub Brewery t-shirt and denim shorts, is holding a glass of beer while pointing towards the brewing equipment. The focus of the image is on a large, vintage copper brewing vessel with intricate brass fittings, showcasing the traditional brewing methods still in use at the brewery. The surrounding pipes and valves further emphasize the industrial aspect of the brewing process. Behind the guide, a door labeled "Hop Room" can be seen, indicating the nearby storage area for hops. Straub Brewery, established in 1872, continues to produce German-American style lagers and traditional craft beer at its original location in St. Marys, PA, making it one of the oldest family-owned and operated breweries in the United States.

You’ll also see where and how kegs, bottles, and cans are filled on the production line.

A room at Straub Brewery in Elk County, PA, where stainless steel kegs are stored and filled with beer. The foreground features a large, shiny stainless steel tank with various valves and gauges, used in the keg-filling process. In the background, numerous kegs labeled "Straub Brewery" are stacked and ready for distribution. The industrial setting, with its functional equipment and utilitarian design, reflects the brewery's long-standing tradition of handcrafting beer since 1872. Straub Brewery is one of the oldest family-owned and operated breweries in the United States, producing German-American style lagers and traditional craft beer at its original location in St. Marys, PA.

The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly the visit to the iconic Eternal Tap.

Here, visitors are invited to “enjoy a couple beers on us” continuing a tradition that has been part of Straub’s legacy for generations.

After experiencing the brewery itself, you can return to the Visitor Center, where a well-stocked gift shop awaits.

The shop offers a wide range of Straub merchandise, from apparel and glassware to unique items like turkey calls—a charming nod to the brewery’s rural Pennsylvania roots.

Once the tour concludes, the Straub Tap Room is the perfect spot to unwind in a a relaxed indoor or outdoor setting.

The interior of the taproom at Straub Brewery in Elk County, PA, featuring a spacious and welcoming atmosphere. The room is furnished with wooden tables and chairs arranged in rows, offering ample seating for visitors. Large glass garage doors along the walls allow natural light to fill the space, while industrial-style exposed ductwork adds to the rustic charm. The back of the room is lined with refrigerators stocked with beer to go, and a small bar area is visible in the corner. Decor elements include peace signs and various brewery memorabilia, creating a laid-back, inviting vibe. Straub Brewery, established in 1872, continues to welcome guests to its original location in St. Marys, PA, where it has been producing German-American style lagers and traditional craft beer for over a century.

The Tap Room, which also doubles as a restaurant, offers a menu of delicious pub fare that pairs perfectly with the variety of Straub’s classic brews on tap.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or a history buff, a visit to Straub Brewery is a unique opportunity to experience a piece of Pennsylvania’s brewing heritage.

The combination of a guided tour, a visit to the Eternal Tap, and time spent in the Visitor Center and Tap Room creates a well-rounded and memorable experience.

Straub’s commitment to tradition and quality is evident throughout the visit.

For those wanting to take home some Straub beer or merchandise, the gift shop has plenty of options.

A display of Straub Brewery's Oktoberfest beer for sale at the brewery in Elk County, PA. The display features stacks of beer cans with a label design that showcases a majestic elk in a natural setting, emphasizing the connection to Pennsylvania's elk country. A sign in front of the display advertises the price of $37.99 per case and $10.99 per six-pack. The sign also mentions that Straub Brewery partners in conservation efforts to raise awareness and enhance Pennsylvania's elk herd for future generations. This seasonal beer offering reflects Straub Brewery's commitment to both quality brewing and environmental stewardship, continuing their tradition of handcrafting beer since 1872 at their original location in St. Marys, PA.

A visit to Straub Brewery is more than just a tour—it’s an immersion into a legacy of brewing excellence that continues to stand the test of time.

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Nearby Attractions

11 Must-See Attractions in Elk County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near the Straub Brewery.

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