Breaker Brewing Co / Elmer Sudds – Times Leader Coverage
Story by:
MyBeer Buzz
Published: April 25, 2009
| Updated: April 11, 2025
From the Times Leader:
Posted: April 25Updated: Today at 3:50 AM
Staff Writer
WILKES-BARRE – Beer enthusiast Denise Mengak’s first choice was the blond ale.
WILKES-BARRE – Beer enthusiast Denise Mengak’s first choice was the blond ale.
“It’s a light beer that is excellent for the summer,” said Mengak, 48, who enjoyed the smooth, home-brewed Goldies Blond Ale, one of Breaker Brewing Co.’s premier beers sampled at Elmer Sudds on Friday.
“There’s a little hint of citrus on your palate – so it’s not something heavy that’s going to weigh you down,” said Mengak, a fan of Belgian-style beer.
Brewery owners Chris Miller, 35, of Plains Township, and Mark Lehman, 37, of Hanover Township, made their brews available for tasting at its second-debut at the corner bar in Wilkes-Barre.
About a couple dozen people filled the bar early in the evening. Another 150 or more people were expected to attend.
“We seem to have a pretty good local following of people,” said Miller, who was drinking Olde King Coal Stout, an oatmeal stout similar to Guinness.
Mengak finished the blonde ale before moving onto Malty Maguire, a deep-red ale.
Her husband, Paul, 51, a member of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Beer Club, was more of a traditional hops beer drinker.
Her husband, Paul, 51, a member of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Beer Club, was more of a traditional hops beer drinker.
The Nanticoke couple learned about the local brewery through a Web site, Beeradvocate.com.
“I believe that craft-brewed beer has become such a big thing in the last 10 years,” said Paul, who was enjoyed the malt and smooth hop bitterness of Anthracite Ale, one of the most-popular brews.
“I believe that craft-brewed beer has become such a big thing in the last 10 years,” said Paul, who was enjoyed the malt and smooth hop bitterness of Anthracite Ale, one of the most-popular brews.
The Anthracite is an amber ale, which falls between a pale ale and an India pale ale, he said.
The brewery officially launched its home-brewed beers – Anthracite Ale, Malty McGuire, Olde King Cole Stout and Goldies Blond Ale – on Thursday at Kelsey’s Bar and Restaurant, Main Street, in Ashley.
The brewery officially launched its home-brewed beers – Anthracite Ale, Malty McGuire, Olde King Cole Stout and Goldies Blond Ale – on Thursday at Kelsey’s Bar and Restaurant, Main Street, in Ashley.
Thursday’s premier pour attracted hundreds of beer enthusiasts, Miller said.
The local brews are expected to be on tap at Kelsey’s and Elmer Sudds as well as other known beer venues throughout the Wyoming Valley.
The local brews are expected to be on tap at Kelsey’s and Elmer Sudds as well as other known beer venues throughout the Wyoming Valley.
“It’s good to bring a lot of people together and celebrate beer,” said bar owner, John Yencha, 34, who has known Miller since the age of 5.
Since 1992, past and current owners of the small tavern have been dedicated to serving patrons with the best kind of beer around, according to Yencha, who said that’s why the local brewery chose to premier their brews at Elmer Sudds.
Yencha said they get that right kind of beer brings in the right kind of crowd.
“There’s not problem with Miller Light. Everybody loves it. It’s our No. 1 seller. But, sometimes, people want the best and we try to get the best,” Yencha said of his beer bar.
“There’s not problem with Miller Light. Everybody loves it. It’s our No. 1 seller. But, sometimes, people want the best and we try to get the best,” Yencha said of his beer bar.
Online
For more information about Breaker Brewer Co., visit Breakerbrewingcompany.com.
Check out mybeerbuzz.com for details on NEPA’s home craft beer scene.
For more information about Breaker Brewer Co., visit Breakerbrewingcompany.com.
Check out mybeerbuzz.com for details on NEPA’s home craft beer scene.
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