If you’re thirsty for local, craft brews in Harrisburg, you have options. We’re lucky to have two well-known, highly acclaimed breweries right in the City: Appalachian Brewing Co. (ABC) and Troegs. And on any given Saturday, you can stop in to either respective location for a free brewery tour. Beyond beer, ABC is known for its great spacious downtown location, beer festivals and live music. Its brewpub hosts Saturday tours at 1 p.m., but the view from the restaurant looks at the brewing vessels themselves. With brewpubs in Camp Hill and Gettysburg, there never lacks a beer-related activity near the capital city.

There’s always a party going on at ABC’s flagship location, including the upcoming 11th annual Capital City Invitational Beer Fest slated for Sept. 13, and live music is the name of the game no matter what the occasion. Local, regional and national acts have called ABC’s Abbey Bar (second level) home - from bluegrass to rock - from Jeffrey Gaines to The Hold Steady. In addition to ABC’s collection of regular brews - Water Gap Wheat, Mountain Lager, Susquehanna Stout, Broad Street Barleywine - specialty beers are cooked up each month (and often, they are available beyond the month - just ask). I recommend July’s Dom Blonde Kölsch.

It’s not just beer either. ABC excels with food, brews soft drinks barleywines and offers banquet space or catering. Stop in this summer and cool off with a glass of Kipona Fest, a tribute to Harrisburg’s annual Labor Day street festival by the same name. Check back for my next post about Troegs.

I’m Sara, your unofficial ambassador to the Harrisburg area. For more on local bars, restaurants, nightlife and more, read my Out with Sara column in The Patriot-News or my blog, SaraBozich.com . For questions or to send story ideas, e-mail me.