If you’re heading east out of Waynesboro on Route 16, be sure to stop in at Michaux Brewing Company to wet your whistle and satisfy your hunger. Years ago when Kate and I heard that a brewery was opening down the road, we could barely contain our anticipation. Dane and Lauren Murray, owners, planted their 5BBL system in the old Chestnut Logs.
Local residents know this famous landmark. The structure was built in 1946 so these logs have a lot of history. Most recently, it was Rolling Mill Tavern, and in 2022, Michaux Brewing Company opened its doors. Proudly named after the Michaux State Forest.
Many of the beers and signature dishes reference the mountains and Pennsylvania outdoors. If it’s your first time at Michaux, check out the artwork and appreciate the craftsmanship of the logs and exposed ceiling. It’s truly beautiful.
During the warmer months, we like to ride our bikes to Michaux or fuel up after backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. This particular Michaux visit was on a Thursday night, which is trivia so we headed in early for happy hour. Trivia has a great draw, and the tables fill up quickly. We were grateful to have snagged our table early and already had one member-sized pour in our heads before the first question! A Michaux membership includes discounts, perks and most importantly a real connection to a local business. At this point, to us, Michaux feels like Cheers, where everybody knows your name!
If we’re stopping in for a sip, we love to sit on the comfy chairs by the fireplace. It feels like home. For dinner, we usually sit in one of the window nooks. You can also choose from low tops, high tops and larger tables scattered throughout the dining area. If you’re feeling social, a bar seat is the place to be. You’ll be entertained by some of the finest and most charming employees around.
When it’s warm, you can’t beat the fenced in patio with umbrellas. We like to bring our puppy and bask in the sunshine. Michaux has music on the weekends, inside and out, depending on the season. Inside, it feels like a state park, rustic and charming. Outside, if the weather cooperates, the gorgeous blue sky will brighten your day. If you like good vibes, good people, good food and good beer, Michaux might just be the missing link in your week.
As you know, Kate and I love hazy IPAs, and Dane doesn’t mess around. Thursday kicked off with “Paddling Up Stream” coming in at a whopping 7.5 percent. A fantastic beer. Haley, our spirited bartender, delivered the sad news of “no wings,” but we didn’t let that dampen our evening. For an appetizer, we instead went with the crispy roasted brussels, with goat cheese, almonds and a hot honey drizzle. A perfect portion to split.
To my surprise, Kate, typically a salad eater, threw a curveball and ordered shrimp tacos with fries. We ended up splitting her meal and my harvest salad with grilled chicken on a bed of greens with apples, pears, craisins, blue cheese, pecans, with a shallot vinaigrette dressing. Paired with a NEIPA, you can’t go wrong! I did consider a burger, decided otherwise, but let me add, this is the best burger in town. Now, for dessert. We decided on another beer instead!
Dane generously took me into the brewery so I could see first hand where the magic happens. It’s common for breweries to showcase the work area through glass walls, so I was grateful for the invite. Dane’s passion for good beer is apparent in every glass. From the moment a beer gets its first label or going out in a 4-pack, Dane is dedicated to the craft. Making this his full time career, he’s overcome many of the challenges of being a new business owner.
That being said, Michaux has successfully opened a second location in downtown Gettysburg. Dane likes to brew on days when the tasting room is closed so that his only focus is making quality beer. He is balancing products at two locations and making adjustments, as needed. Justin, the assistant brewer, is an asset, and they work about nine hours on brew days. Everything is done in-house including canning.
We frequent the four-pack cooler almost every week, and we noticed that since New Year’s the cooler has been filled on both sides. Dane shared that this was their New Year’s resolution! Good job, guys!
Michaux has a lot to offer when it comes to the menu. Michaux opens on Thursday with $2 tacos and Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. Be sure to check out the weekend specials. Try the brunch on the first Sunday of each month. The starters and shareables are great on their own. But if you’re looking for more, then follow up with a burger, flatbread, salad, wings, or choose from one of the many sandwiches. Save $2 on kids meals on Saturdays.
If you’re on social media, subscribe and follow Michaux to find out what’s brewing, what’s for dinner and who’s playing at either location. Michaux has provided local musicians a new spot to showcase their talent and for local music lovers to enjoy dinner and a show. As a musician myself, we are all grateful for the support and opportunity. When visiting the Michaux website, you can toggle to the Gettysburg location, which I’ll be writing about very soon! Cheers and thanks for eating local!
michauxbrewing.com
11657 Buchanan Trail E,
Waynesboro, PA 17268
Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday noon -10 p.m.
Sunday noon -8 p.m.
