Much to See and Do at the Drunken Smithy. Try Something New!

There is so much to see and do at the Drunken Smithy, from hair pins to swords! Try one of their seven different workshops or axe throwing!

A decade ago, the germ of an idea was born when two good friends. Eitri Jones and Greg Ramsey decided to pursue their dream.  That vision: Launch a unique business, teach others how to forge iron. Create everything from hair pins and hammers to large “Excalibur” scale swords.

From the fires of their forges the Drunken Smithy was born.  This was quite a leap from their previous occupations where they met:   House parents for Milton Hershey School.  Both are also actors and taught stunt combat for the stage (sword fighting, etc.) The “smithies” sold swords they made at the PA Renaissance Faire.

Today, our Guests can enjoy the Drunken Smithy, only eight minutes from Annville Inn.

So Much to See and Do at the Drunken Smithy!

You can take a four-hour course. Or, just enjoy an afternoon/evening for a couple rounds of axe throwing!  A gallery of private “stalls” each provide you a large target. After a few moments of safety instruction, you can’t miss! 

There is much to the Drunken Smithy, more than initially meets the eye.  The owners and their large crew (which also includes Greg Ramsey’s daughter Maeve Ramsey, as well as other friends and family) provide classes in various locations throughout the expansive location.  Easily larger than a football field, workshops are filled with forges and all sorts of metal working equipment, some of it massive.

“Our four-hour workshops are great fun,” Eitri told Annville Inn.  “The first two hours are spent picking the project and heating and shaping the metal. We break for lunch, which is gourmet sausage that you cook in one of the forges. A real treat.”  

Rosalie’s breakfast at Annville Inn, and then a “hand forged” lunch at the Drunken Smithy…what could be better?

Seven Different Workshops to Try at the Drunken Smithy

Participants can chose one of seven different projects to make in the workshop. They can chose from short swords, domestic table knives, axes and more.  If you chop wood, think how rewarding (and grounded in nature itself) it would be to split your wood using an axe you made yourself in a forge! A conversation piece: The sword you created displayed in your office or home.

Some classes are delicate, such as creating metal “forever flowers” out of copper and other precious metals.  The Drunken Smithy also offers jewelry making, leather workmanship, and in future plans…a woodshop.

If your image of a blacksmith or metal worker is a strong individual, fireproof apron, safety glasses and perhaps a handlebar mustache, you would be correct.  If your idea of a metals instructor is one who can teach you delicate work with jewelry, you would find that, too. Both women and men are on staff, each dedicated to helping you achieve true craftsmanship.

Explore Their Unique Display Store or Try Axe Throwing!

If you lean toward NOT making anything but finding creative craftsmanship in metals or leather, then their display store is the place to go.  “Unique” is one watchword here…as well as “beauty” and especially, “craftsmanship.” 

Those not wanting to take a course will also enjoy axe throwing. Very soon (once the liquor license is granted) enjoying wine and snacks. 

The very small business that Eitri and Greg first forged a decade ago in an austere space has now blossomed into a one-of-a-kind business filled with specialized equipment and dedicated project workspaces that pulls people in from an eleven-state area and beyond. 

Here at Annville Inn, for example, we have had Guests staying with us from New York City who came here specifically for a four-day workshop on sword making. It was a lifelong bucket list item for them, fulfilled in a big way, beyond their dreams.

Reserve your tickets online!

Drunken Smithy’s Website lists all the classes you can sign up for during your stay at Annville Inn. Note that each class and date lists “tickets.”  Usually, 12 tickets are available for a class. The Website will tell you how many ‘tickets’ are left for the class you are interested in. Reserve your tickets online. We suggest booking a class the day(s) after you check in to the Inn. That will give you plenty of time at The Drunken Smithy.

Spend an hour or two pursuing the retail section, axe throwing, and just enjoying this very down to earth, nothing plastic or artificial environment. There is so much to see and do at the Drunken Smithy. True craftsmanship abounds using materials such as iron, steel, wood, leather, copper and more. From the tiniest detail of a delicate piece of jewelry to a unique hammer you will own the rest of your life, you will always cherish your time at the Drunken Smithy.

Fire up your imagination. Try something new. Learn a new skill. Find an amazing one-of-a-kind treasure. Attend one of the special workshops. Throw an axe. Create a stunning flower from copper. Relax with a glass of wine.  The Drunken Smithy is far more than making horseshoes (by the way, you can learn to make a HEART SHAPED horseshoe!).