So now that I am in Pennsylvania for Philly Beer Week why not do some local reviews on stuff here.  I’m staying at my cousin’s house in North Wales out in Montgomery County for the first few days here.  Last night we decided to head to the Iron Abbey for dinner and drinks in Horsham.  I had been here before on my last trip to PA in December to watch a UFC event but didn’t eat.  This time we sat at the bar and took the time to look over the drink menu and food menu.

Upon pulling up to the Iron Abbey it looks like a castle.  And I’ll be damned if the inside didn’t look the same.  Wood paneling everywhere with a lot of dim lighting from cast iron hanging lamps.  The walls are decorated with lots of soccer decor including the local Philadelphia Union MLS team (Join or Die).  The nice sized bar sits in the middle of the room with their 24 taps.  There are chalk boards above the bar with the newest special kegs that are in.

And the draft list is damn impressive.  For Philly Beer Week a number of local breweries are highlighted with 2 taps each for Flying Fish, Sly Fox, Weyerbacher, Troegs and Dock Street.  There was also a number of other great drafts to round out those 24 taps.  Then the bottle list exceeds 300 and I challenge you not to find something you like there.

I started with Dock Street Pimp My Rye.  It was a very nice spicy IPA.  Rye is present but not a whole lot.  But there are definitely spices going on and it does have a dry finish.

My second beer was Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale.  Not as farmhouse funky as you might expect.  It was actually very refreshing and light.  One of the clearest beers I’ve ever seen that wasn’t a crappy Coors Light or something.  The flavors of lemon, wheat and some grains.  Low ABV, around 4.5%, makes it very sessionable.

But we were very hungry so we had to eat.  I looked at the menu that had a little bit of everything and decided I would try the Shepard’s Pie.  But upon seeing another customer receive a massive plate of fish and chips my mind was quickly changed.  I received four absolutely gigantic pieces of fish that were fried to perfection.  The fish itself was just so flavorful by itself that I didn’t even need to dip it in anything.  The large steak fries that came with it were sprinkled with Old Bay and just delicious.

The food prices are a bit high.  I did pay $12 for my fish and chips but I think by the size of them it was worth it.  Many of the main entrees get up around $20 but I’m assuming if they put as much effort into their bar food then the higher end dishes receive the same sort of attention.

The service was very attentive and quick to respond to your questions and orders.  This always goes a long way for me being a former server.

If you like good beer and food in a pretty unique environment then the Iron Abbey is a place to check out.  And if you go in this coming week be sure to try some of the local breweries stuff.  It is always great to support local breweries.  I wish there was more down in South Florida.

Iron Abbey Gastropub
680 North Easton Road
Horsham, PA 19044
(215) 956-9600
www.ironabbey.com‎