| JoBoy’s Brew Pub 27-31 East Main St | Lititz, Pennsylvania (717) 568-8330 www.joboysbrewpub.com |
After a much anticipated move from Manheim, PA, JoBoy’s Brew Pub has officially opened on East Main Street in Lititz, PA. The brewpub is located in a building that’s over a century old, formerly Rudy’s Hall, which once served as the town hall.
Originally a modest barbecue competition team, Jeffrey Boy Harless from North Carolina and Maria Jo Harless from New Holland, PA used the team name “JoBoy’s.” They opened JoBoy’s Brew Pub in April 2010 on Main Street in Manheim. They closed the old location in June to put the final touches on the new Lititz digs.
The new brewpub officially opened on Friday, July 4, 2014, serving a limited menu of authentic southern barbecue paired with handcrafted beers. Executive Chef Dwayne Spencer slow cooks the barbecue for 16 hours and uses seasonal vegetables from the JoBoy’s garden. There are two barbecue sauces on each table – a tangy, sweet Memphis style sauce and a vinegar based Carolina sauce.
The current menu includes small plates like ABT’s (smoked jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and topped with bacon), Jo’s Nachos, Smoked Cabbage, and Smoked Chicken Wings. There is a delicious House Salad on the menu and a Strawberry Spinach Salad.
The barbecue options include chicken and pulled pork sandwiches, as well as brisket, chicken, pulled pork, and St. Louis rib platters… or try a sampler platter. The available sides are baked beans, Carolina red slaw, fresh cut fries, hush puppies, mac-n-cheese, skillet collard greens, and BBQ spiced grilled sweet corn. They are expected to offer a full menu beginning Wednesday, July 9 with additions like rainbow trout flatbread, variations of chili, and prime rib.
The new spot feels like a speakeasy with dark stained wooden panels with tubular metallic sculptures on one wall and black metal cutouts of jazz musicians against brick on the other wall. The burnt orange paint complements the dark wood and industrial light fixtures.
The brewpub has seating for 124, including a bar with seating for 14 guests. There is a smokehouse out back, and the second floor will be used as an event space in the future. There will also be a retail space in the basement where patrons will be able to purchase beer to go. A lounge area will be added up front near the hostess stand as well.
The brewing area is visible from East Main Street, where JoBoy’s proudly brews six times the amount brewed at the prior location. The nanobrewery, which brews nearly everyday, currently has the following beers on tap brewed by Master Brewer “Tug” McGall:
- “Hoptitude” American IPA – a 6.5% ABV, 83.9 IBU India Pale Ale for hopheads brewed with a generous amount of whole leaf Cascade, Zythos, and Citra hops.
- Manheim Red – a 5.4% ABV amber; their flagship beer which offers slight caramel sweetness. This malt-forward beer is a crowd pleaser.
- Porter – a 6.2% ABV malty dark ale with complex, roasty flavors. They describe this American interpretation as being a bit bolder than the English style.
- German Wheat – a 5.9% ABV beer brewed with German grains and yeast; refreshing, spicy, and fruity, with a banana and clove yeast character.
- “SMASH” IPA – a 6.9% ABV single malt, single hop ale brewed with Chinook hops.
- Sandy Ass Ale – a 5.6% ABV clean, crisp, and refreshing ale; the closest offering to an American light beer.
All of the beers listed above are available in pints for $5 to $6 or in a sample size for $2. Beers coming soon include a Pale Ale and the Lititz Springs Lager. While not currently filling growlers, empty growlers will cost $10 and fills will be $14.
Wines are available by the glass from the Vineyard at Grandview, Waltz Vineyards, and Tamanend Winery. Tamanend makes JoBoy’s Red, a deep red wine created specifically to pair with JoBoy’s barbecue.
While visiting JoBoy’s, be sure to save room for dessert. The magazine-worthy desserts include Berry Shortcake, Peach Beignets, Peanut Butter Tart (highly recommended by our server, Danielle), Red Velvet Torte (made totally without food coloring!), and Wilbur’s Chocolate Stout Trifle.
