TASTY TRAILS Deer Creek Malthouse Glen Mills Lost Bread Company Philadelphia Bread Trail Until the early 1900s, a gristmill—where grains are ground—was in almost every town, as many farmers grew wheat, corn, buckwheat, and oats, but the equipment was too expensive for one farmer to purchase. The gristmill wasn’t just a place to turn wheat into flour but a community gathering place for business deals, gossip, and just plain old conversation. In West Sunbury, Zanella Milling , built in the late 1800s, is Pennsylvania’s only remaining buckwheat mill. Chat with Mike Zanella about buckwheat farming and see the mill where the earthy, nutty buckwheat is ground. Buy a bag or two of flour to take home. The Bread Trail is a story of old and new—old mills occupied by young farmers growing special malt for home brewers. Deer Creek Malthouse in Glen Mills is one place where homebrewers can purchase top-notch ingredients. New to homebrewing? Start with the Amber or Pale Homebrew Kits. Grains here are locally sourced and the owners are experts in brewing and distilling. But this trail isn’t just flour and malt. It’s also about iconic Pennsylvania baked goods, such as the tender and creamy whoopie pies at places like the family-owned Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop near Lancaster, located on a picturesque backroad out in Pennsylvania farmland. More of a city person? A stop at Lost Bread Company in Philadelphia will fill your trunk with goodies such as Deli Rye and Whole Grain Sunflower Potato, using local grains and old-style techniques. City or country, baker or lover of bakeries, there’s something for everyone. TOP TO BOTTOM: DEER CREEK MALTHOUSE; N. SANTOS visitPA.com 57
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