As a city full of German immigrants, Philadelphia has a proud brewing tradition. And an equally proud drinking tradition. I've been to most, but due to more and more opening, faster and faster, not all of the areas microbreweries. As much as I like visiting microbreweries, I also think only focusing on them causes one to miss out on great neighborhood bars. I have done a terrible job of photography and writing up about my drinking experiences which means I sort of need to restart at the beginning. There are worse things in life. Also, please note, that I'm usually referencing original locations. For example, Workhorse Brewing has a great location in Center City, other than here, that and similar setups are not mentioned again.
YUENGLING
Let me pause on the beer "tour" and mention Yuengling. I'm not a fan of Yuengling but I appreciate it's distinctness, particularly the green bottle. Founded in 1829 it is America's Oldest Brewery (Molson tried to claim it was America's oldest brewery but what kind of joker company thinks people think of Canada when they here America), still American and family owned as of 2022. Yuengling has an old (not sure if it's the original) brewery located in Pottsville, PA, a little under a two hour drive northwest of Philadelphia. Every beer drinker, not just Philadelphians, should visit this site. In Philadelphia order a Lager and a Yuengling will arrive. I'm not a huge fan of lager beers but I've recently found myself coming back to Yuengling as the new generation of owners has introduced several good beers in recent years: the Blonde Pilsner and Raging Eagle, a surprisingly good mango flavored beer are amazing new entrants to the lineup. The Hershey's Chocolate Porter? Whew...not so much.
Let me pause on the beer "tour" and mention Yuengling. I'm not a fan of Yuengling but I appreciate it's distinctness, particularly the green bottle. Founded in 1829 it is America's Oldest Brewery (Molson tried to claim it was America's oldest brewery but what kind of joker company thinks people think of Canada when they here America), still American and family owned as of 2022. Yuengling has an old (not sure if it's the original) brewery located in Pottsville, PA, a little under a two hour drive northwest of Philadelphia. Every beer drinker, not just Philadelphians, should visit this site. In Philadelphia order a Lager and a Yuengling will arrive. I'm not a huge fan of lager beers but I've recently found myself coming back to Yuengling as the new generation of owners has introduced several good beers in recent years: the Blonde Pilsner and Raging Eagle, a surprisingly good mango flavored beer are amazing new entrants to the lineup. The Hershey's Chocolate Porter? Whew...not so much.
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There is no "best" or even a list of best microbreweries in the Philadelphia area. I find these lists incredibly subjective, inaccurate, and a waste of time. Case in point, www.ratebeer.com, lists Ardmore's Tired Hands as a Top Ten brewery in the world. It's not a Top Ten brewery in Philadelphia. I wouldn't even put it in the Top 20. These are legit, 100%, straight-from-their website descriptions of their beer:
So, what follows isn't a best of list, but rather a neighborhood by neighborhood breakdown with a few exceptions at the top. Let's start with Victory Brewing, which is the only other Pennsylvania microbrewery appearing on www.ratebeer.com's Top 100 list - comes in at 57.
VICTORY
Victory Brewing began operations in 1996 making it one the areas oldest microbreweries. I turned 21 in 2001 and this was the first local beer I tried and I've been hooked ever since. Golden Monkey, Prima Pils, and Hop Devil are three flagship beers that have been around forever. Victory's brewery is located in a huge warehouse/production facility in Downington and warrants a visit from all beer loving locals. They've opened a few other locations in the area and I need to check out their recently opened a brew pub on the Parkway.
- "Notes of watermelon rind, tangerine, fresh cucumber, summer garden"
- "Notes of pink grapefruit, fir needles, candied orange, unripe peach, and citrus flower"
- "Notes of ripe mango, blueberry gummies, floral lychee, pink grapefruit, and peach rings"
- "Notes of lime soda, clean linen, pineapple weed, young coconut, and lychee gummies" - seriously "clean linen"
So, what follows isn't a best of list, but rather a neighborhood by neighborhood breakdown with a few exceptions at the top. Let's start with Victory Brewing, which is the only other Pennsylvania microbrewery appearing on www.ratebeer.com's Top 100 list - comes in at 57.
VICTORY
Victory Brewing began operations in 1996 making it one the areas oldest microbreweries. I turned 21 in 2001 and this was the first local beer I tried and I've been hooked ever since. Golden Monkey, Prima Pils, and Hop Devil are three flagship beers that have been around forever. Victory's brewery is located in a huge warehouse/production facility in Downington and warrants a visit from all beer loving locals. They've opened a few other locations in the area and I need to check out their recently opened a brew pub on the Parkway.
SLY FOX
Sly Fox started in Phoenixville in 1995 and like Victory is a granddaddy of the microbrewery scene. They've had several brewers go on to start their own microbreweries in the area. Their Pikeland Pils, Helles Lager, RT 113 IPA, and SRT Ale come in a variety 12-pack and is a great introduction to their beer. Sly Fox operates a large brewery in a warehouse district in Pottstown where every year they host a goat race and bockfest - it is by far the best annual beer event in the Philadelphia area and has grown so much in popularity that tickets are now required. Despite their headquarters being in Pottstown, I'd actually recommend visiting their original location, a brewpub in Phoenixville which has a cozier feel and a full menu.
Sly Fox started in Phoenixville in 1995 and like Victory is a granddaddy of the microbrewery scene. They've had several brewers go on to start their own microbreweries in the area. Their Pikeland Pils, Helles Lager, RT 113 IPA, and SRT Ale come in a variety 12-pack and is a great introduction to their beer. Sly Fox operates a large brewery in a warehouse district in Pottstown where every year they host a goat race and bockfest - it is by far the best annual beer event in the Philadelphia area and has grown so much in popularity that tickets are now required. Despite their headquarters being in Pottstown, I'd actually recommend visiting their original location, a brewpub in Phoenixville which has a cozier feel and a full menu.
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DOGFISH HEAD
When compiling a list like this there's a question as to where to draw the line on how far away from Philadelphia a brewing can be and still be included on the list. I'm going to keep the driving to under an hour, in counties that touch Philadelphia county, with one exception...Dogfish Head. Dogfish has massive operations, they are owned by Sam Adam's Boston Beer Company now, in Milton, DE, which is about two hours from Philadelphia's City Hall. The only way someone is heading here is if they are on their way to Delaware and Maryland beaches or have relatives that live in Dover, DE, as was my case. If you are driving past, it is well worth the detour.
When compiling a list like this there's a question as to where to draw the line on how far away from Philadelphia a brewing can be and still be included on the list. I'm going to keep the driving to under an hour, in counties that touch Philadelphia county, with one exception...Dogfish Head. Dogfish has massive operations, they are owned by Sam Adam's Boston Beer Company now, in Milton, DE, which is about two hours from Philadelphia's City Hall. The only way someone is heading here is if they are on their way to Delaware and Maryland beaches or have relatives that live in Dover, DE, as was my case. If you are driving past, it is well worth the detour.
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DOCK STREET
Dock Street started in 1985 making it Philadelphia's oldest microbrewery - by far. It's not even worth figuring out the second oldest as it won't be close. Dock Street has my favorite beer, Bohemian Pilsner. Mac wore a shirt with the Bohemian Pilsner logo in a few episodes of It's Always Sunny...so I'm not alone in thinking this is a great beer. It is gutwrenching that Dock Street closed their Baltimore Avenue location. If you've never been to Southwest Philadelphia, Dock Street was the ultimate destination to visit and explore the neighborhood. It'll be bittersweet checking out their new location on Washington Ave.
Dock Street started in 1985 making it Philadelphia's oldest microbrewery - by far. It's not even worth figuring out the second oldest as it won't be close. Dock Street has my favorite beer, Bohemian Pilsner. Mac wore a shirt with the Bohemian Pilsner logo in a few episodes of It's Always Sunny...so I'm not alone in thinking this is a great beer. It is gutwrenching that Dock Street closed their Baltimore Avenue location. If you've never been to Southwest Philadelphia, Dock Street was the ultimate destination to visit and explore the neighborhood. It'll be bittersweet checking out their new location on Washington Ave.
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On more honorable mention before the neighborhood by neighborhood list...
YARDS
Yards has been brewing in Philadelphia since 1994 and is a local favorite enjoyed by all Philadelphians. If you were going to visit only one microbrewery on a trip to Philadelphia, I think this is the one I'd recommend. They have a great, modern facility on Spring Garden. Good food. Their Philadelphia Pale Ale is a good beer on which to judge all others in the region. Personally I believe their beers are a notch below Victory and Sly Fox but I won't get into a deep argument with someone who feels differently. Can't go wrong here.
YARDS
Yards has been brewing in Philadelphia since 1994 and is a local favorite enjoyed by all Philadelphians. If you were going to visit only one microbrewery on a trip to Philadelphia, I think this is the one I'd recommend. They have a great, modern facility on Spring Garden. Good food. Their Philadelphia Pale Ale is a good beer on which to judge all others in the region. Personally I believe their beers are a notch below Victory and Sly Fox but I won't get into a deep argument with someone who feels differently. Can't go wrong here.
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And one more that I completely forgot about...
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IRON HILL
I think a lot of people forget about Iron Hill being a microbrewery. Iron Hill is soooo old that when they started brewing beer the concept of having people come to a brewery to drink beer was so foreign that they had to serve food with their beer in a brew pub restaurant concept rather than a microbrewery. So I've always just thought of Iron Hill as a brew pub not a microbrewery. Which is incorrect. Iron Hill is a great microbrewery and since it's one of the areas original's, a number of its alumni have gone on to start microbreweries of their own. While Iron Hill has expanded to 10+ locations throughout the Philadelphia area, it's still worth checking out their original location in Newark, DE. |
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I finished with Yards so let's stay in the Spring Garden area which at one point felt like there was a new microbrewery opening every six months. You'll see a lot of bachelor and bachelorette parties in this area because of the near proximity of these microbreweries and the fact that the breweries are large an can accommodate large crowds.
LOVE CITY
It can be tough for new microbreweries to find their way in a crowded microbrewery scene - do you need to create extreme or unique flavors, engage in clever marketing and cool logo designs, or hope your beer can stand on its own? For Love City, their beer stands on its own. Their lager, IPA, and Pilsner are simply straight-forward, good beers. The head brewer/owner previously brewed beer at Iron Hill so it makes perfect sense that there beers seem simple but taste great.
LOVE CITY
It can be tough for new microbreweries to find their way in a crowded microbrewery scene - do you need to create extreme or unique flavors, engage in clever marketing and cool logo designs, or hope your beer can stand on its own? For Love City, their beer stands on its own. Their lager, IPA, and Pilsner are simply straight-forward, good beers. The head brewer/owner previously brewed beer at Iron Hill so it makes perfect sense that there beers seem simple but taste great.
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ROY PITZ BARREL HOUSE
Around the corner from Love City, on Spring Garden Street, in Roy Pitz Barrel House, an ambitious offering from an originally located in Chambersburg, PA. Decent beer, decent food but that Octopus Mural on the wall is something else. I like sitting in this microbrewery. It's airy, and when I'm not mesmerized by the octopus I'm watching life outside the large Spring Garden facing windows.
Around the corner from Love City, on Spring Garden Street, in Roy Pitz Barrel House, an ambitious offering from an originally located in Chambersburg, PA. Decent beer, decent food but that Octopus Mural on the wall is something else. I like sitting in this microbrewery. It's airy, and when I'm not mesmerized by the octopus I'm watching life outside the large Spring Garden facing windows.
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TRIPLE BOTTOM
Across Spring Garden from Roy Pitz, is Triple Bottom, which has more of a hipster vibe, then say an industrial vibe. Cool spot. Their beers have a bit of a flare, a bit more unique flavor attempts compared to Love City, but my lasting takeaway from this place is that it gets packed. It's noticeably smaller than Yards, Love City, and Roy Pitz so don't count on finding a table if you are coming with a crowd.
Across Spring Garden from Roy Pitz, is Triple Bottom, which has more of a hipster vibe, then say an industrial vibe. Cool spot. Their beers have a bit of a flare, a bit more unique flavor attempts compared to Love City, but my lasting takeaway from this place is that it gets packed. It's noticeably smaller than Yards, Love City, and Roy Pitz so don't count on finding a table if you are coming with a crowd.
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Continuing east on Spring Garden...(typing "microbrewery" in Google Maps in the Fishtown area and there's at least five new microbreweries that have popped up in the past two years...it'll take a while to visit those). Below are established microbreweries.
MAINSTAY INDEPENDENT
Another ambitious project in the former Yards Brewery location - the brewery is part of a larger complex collectively called Craft Hall. The menu is a step up from your standard brewery fare, there's a playground with a pirate ship, there's board games, etc. The brewery attempts to be a destination beyond just a brewery. The head brewer here is an alumni and long time brewer from Sly Fox. It's tough to beat Sly Fox. I'm sure it's tough to create a "second act" when it comes to beer. This is all a polite way of saying I prefer Sly Fox. The biggest knock on this place though is limited parking, especially compared to the breweries back down Spring Garden.
MAINSTAY INDEPENDENT
Another ambitious project in the former Yards Brewery location - the brewery is part of a larger complex collectively called Craft Hall. The menu is a step up from your standard brewery fare, there's a playground with a pirate ship, there's board games, etc. The brewery attempts to be a destination beyond just a brewery. The head brewer here is an alumni and long time brewer from Sly Fox. It's tough to beat Sly Fox. I'm sure it's tough to create a "second act" when it comes to beer. This is all a polite way of saying I prefer Sly Fox. The biggest knock on this place though is limited parking, especially compared to the breweries back down Spring Garden.
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EVIL GENIUS
Of course Fishtown is going to have some cool, funky microbrewery. I want to but I can't knock this place. It's well done. With beer names like "There's No Crying in Baseball", "Stacy's Mom", "You're Killing Me Smalls" and "I Love Lamp", you can tell the brewers must have grown up in the 80s and 90s. There beers all offer unique tastes - I'm not sure if I've ever been enticed to buy a six pack - so it's a good spot to try a flight of beers and see all the variety and creative the brewery offers.
Of course Fishtown is going to have some cool, funky microbrewery. I want to but I can't knock this place. It's well done. With beer names like "There's No Crying in Baseball", "Stacy's Mom", "You're Killing Me Smalls" and "I Love Lamp", you can tell the brewers must have grown up in the 80s and 90s. There beers all offer unique tastes - I'm not sure if I've ever been enticed to buy a six pack - so it's a good spot to try a flight of beers and see all the variety and creative the brewery offers.
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PHILADELPHIA BREWING COMPANY
You could be forgiven for thinking that this brewery started in 1907 not 2007. I may be mistaken but I believe they operate out of a former brewing location, hence why it feels so old. They also offer tours, which again, makes it seem like its older for some psychological reason. There's a wooden bar. Old wood floors. Everything is well put together. Even their flagship beer, Kenzinger, has a retro logo making you think the beer has been around since the early 1900s. Their year round beers tend to be straightforward and for some reason the six packs sell for a dollar or two less than other local beers...so I wind up purchasing Kenzinger quite a bit.
You could be forgiven for thinking that this brewery started in 1907 not 2007. I may be mistaken but I believe they operate out of a former brewing location, hence why it feels so old. They also offer tours, which again, makes it seem like its older for some psychological reason. There's a wooden bar. Old wood floors. Everything is well put together. Even their flagship beer, Kenzinger, has a retro logo making you think the beer has been around since the early 1900s. Their year round beers tend to be straightforward and for some reason the six packs sell for a dollar or two less than other local beers...so I wind up purchasing Kenzinger quite a bit.
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HUMAN ROBOT
I've been to St. Benjamin's brewing which was formerly in this location. Human Robot has been on the checklist. Poe's sandwhich shop, which has rave reviews, is next door or inside or something, and that is supposedly as much a reason to go as the beer.
I've been to St. Benjamin's brewing which was formerly in this location. Human Robot has been on the checklist. Poe's sandwhich shop, which has rave reviews, is next door or inside or something, and that is supposedly as much a reason to go as the beer.
Outside of Spring Garden and Fishtown there's not really an "aggregation" of microbreweries in a single neighborhood in the Center City area so I'm lumping the rest of these together before moving farther out.
BREWERY ARS
Small, like nano-brewery small, place but it is dog friendly. I don't believe that any of the other breweries I've mentioned thus far, other than Dogfish Head, are dog friendly. I don't recall too much else about the beers. If you do visit this brewery, then it makes a ton of sense to also visit...
BREWERY ARS
Small, like nano-brewery small, place but it is dog friendly. I don't believe that any of the other breweries I've mentioned thus far, other than Dogfish Head, are dog friendly. I don't recall too much else about the beers. If you do visit this brewery, then it makes a ton of sense to also visit...
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SECOND DISTRICT BREWING
A few blocks up from Brewery ARS is another small, nano-size brewery, with a decent food and an eclectic menu. Second District feels more like a neighborhood pub than a microbrewery - which is not a knock. I'd love to have a place like this around the corner from our house in Conshohocken. I wouldn't travel here individual but if you include a stop at Brewery ARS, grab some food here, or a cheesesteak at SQ Philipps or a roast beef sandwich at Old Original Nick's then continue exploring South Broad and Passyunk...well that's quite the afternoon or evening.
A few blocks up from Brewery ARS is another small, nano-size brewery, with a decent food and an eclectic menu. Second District feels more like a neighborhood pub than a microbrewery - which is not a knock. I'd love to have a place like this around the corner from our house in Conshohocken. I wouldn't travel here individual but if you include a stop at Brewery ARS, grab some food here, or a cheesesteak at SQ Philipps or a roast beef sandwich at Old Original Nick's then continue exploring South Broad and Passyunk...well that's quite the afternoon or evening.
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CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
At one point Brewerytown contained over 100 breweries. It now contains one (?) Crime and Punishment. Another small, neighborhood spot with a very limited food menu. We hit this place up as a stop on our No. 15 trolley tour a few years back. You drink a beer here, grab a coffee at The Monkey and The Elephant, maybe a smoothie from iMunch, and hop back on the No. 15 trolley.
At one point Brewerytown contained over 100 breweries. It now contains one (?) Crime and Punishment. Another small, neighborhood spot with a very limited food menu. We hit this place up as a stop on our No. 15 trolley tour a few years back. You drink a beer here, grab a coffee at The Monkey and The Elephant, maybe a smoothie from iMunch, and hop back on the No. 15 trolley.
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There's simply not a lot of space, or at least cheap space, in Center City Philadelphia for microbreweries to setup operations. It isn't until you reach Northwest Philadelphia where there's another cluster of microbreweries in the East Falls, Manayunk, Roxborough, Germantown, Mt. Airy, and Chestnut Hill area. Rotating through in that neighborhood order.
WISSAHICKON BREWING
I moved to Manayunk shortly before Wissahickon Brewing opened and was excited to make my first visit. The sitting room in the brewery feels like an 80s office. The beer though is great. Their Devil's Pool IPA is a solid beer and a reference to one of the area's Instagram famous natural spots. They also have a rotation of great food trucks that come through on a frequent basis.
WISSAHICKON BREWING
I moved to Manayunk shortly before Wissahickon Brewing opened and was excited to make my first visit. The sitting room in the brewery feels like an 80s office. The beer though is great. Their Devil's Pool IPA is a solid beer and a reference to one of the area's Instagram famous natural spots. They also have a rotation of great food trucks that come through on a frequent basis.
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MANAYUNK BREWING
Unarguably the best views of any microbrewery in the area - their back deck that sits over the Schuylkill is a great spot to spend an afternoon drinking. There should be a lot more places in Philadelphia that take advantage of the river. Unfortunately, that proximity to the Schuylkill means that the brewery gets flooded every decade or so. The last flooding in 2021 knocked out their brewery operations and they currently only serve beer from other microbreweries.
Unarguably the best views of any microbrewery in the area - their back deck that sits over the Schuylkill is a great spot to spend an afternoon drinking. There should be a lot more places in Philadelphia that take advantage of the river. Unfortunately, that proximity to the Schuylkill means that the brewery gets flooded every decade or so. The last flooding in 2021 knocked out their brewery operations and they currently only serve beer from other microbreweries.
FAT LADY
Another well positioned microbrewery on Main Street in Manayunk. Formerly a Bald Bird's expansion site in formerly a co-work site in formerly a bike shop. The inside airiness creates a laid back experience. They contract out their brewing...I believe to Bald Bird's...and if that's correct, I actually think their brews taste better than Bald Bird's.
Another well positioned microbrewery on Main Street in Manayunk. Formerly a Bald Bird's expansion site in formerly a co-work site in formerly a bike shop. The inside airiness creates a laid back experience. They contract out their brewing...I believe to Bald Bird's...and if that's correct, I actually think their brews taste better than Bald Bird's.
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TWISTED GINGERS
I believe I said at the top that I wouldn't pick a favorite microbrewery or that these weren't in an order of favorites but Twisted Gingers is my favorite. There's nano-breweries, then there's super nano-breweries that feel more like a homey, neighborhood, corner bar - that's Twisted Gingers. The brewery is seems almost camouflaged in the neighborhood it's so buried. Crazy zoning laws are the only reason this place is allowed to exist. I'm actually not a huge fan of their beer, and I've been here enough to try them all, but I love this place.
I believe I said at the top that I wouldn't pick a favorite microbrewery or that these weren't in an order of favorites but Twisted Gingers is my favorite. There's nano-breweries, then there's super nano-breweries that feel more like a homey, neighborhood, corner bar - that's Twisted Gingers. The brewery is seems almost camouflaged in the neighborhood it's so buried. Crazy zoning laws are the only reason this place is allowed to exist. I'm actually not a huge fan of their beer, and I've been here enough to try them all, but I love this place.
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NEW RIDGE BREWING
Friday Update
Friday Update
ATTIC BREWING
The Wayne Junction area is geographical the heart of Philadelphia. It's a dead area that needs investment. It's an area that if it could ever get rocking again, would signify Philadelphia is back. Companies should relocate here. Governments should invest in infrastructure here. This should be ground zero for Making America Great Again...if people actually were serious and focused on Making America Great Again. Long tangent, Attic Brewing is located here. Attic Brewing made an investment. They share a building with Deke's BBQ. You'd be hard pressed to find a better microbrewery/food combo in the city. Attic Brewing also has a dog-friendly courtyard on it's backside that hosts various musical events and a flea market of sorts on the weekend.
The Wayne Junction area is geographical the heart of Philadelphia. It's a dead area that needs investment. It's an area that if it could ever get rocking again, would signify Philadelphia is back. Companies should relocate here. Governments should invest in infrastructure here. This should be ground zero for Making America Great Again...if people actually were serious and focused on Making America Great Again. Long tangent, Attic Brewing is located here. Attic Brewing made an investment. They share a building with Deke's BBQ. You'd be hard pressed to find a better microbrewery/food combo in the city. Attic Brewing also has a dog-friendly courtyard on it's backside that hosts various musical events and a flea market of sorts on the weekend.
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EARTH-BREAD+ BREWERY
Sadly Earth-Bread has closed and I'm not sure why as this was a good spot. Good pizzas. It's sad that it closed because this place made for a good destination in Mt. Airy, a neighborhood that not many people venture to. While Earth-Bread has closed, on the far end of the block is McMenamin's, which is arguably the greatest neighborhood bar in Philadelphia.
Sadly Earth-Bread has closed and I'm not sure why as this was a good spot. Good pizzas. It's sad that it closed because this place made for a good destination in Mt. Airy, a neighborhood that not many people venture to. While Earth-Bread has closed, on the far end of the block is McMenamin's, which is arguably the greatest neighborhood bar in Philadelphia.
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CHESTNUT HILL BREWING COMPANY
Chestnut Hill Brewing is somewhat hidden off of Germantown Avenue but is a great "discovery". The attraction of this place though is its location in the Market at the Fareway, which is a food hall of sorts and has a lot of great restaurant stalls. While Chestnut Hill Brewing serves food, it makes a lot of sense to walk through the marketplace to evaluate the other dining options.
Chestnut Hill Brewing is somewhat hidden off of Germantown Avenue but is a great "discovery". The attraction of this place though is its location in the Market at the Fareway, which is a food hall of sorts and has a lot of great restaurant stalls. While Chestnut Hill Brewing serves food, it makes a lot of sense to walk through the marketplace to evaluate the other dining options.
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Across the river and down the main line...
TIRED HANDS
I've shared my thoughts above. I'm not going to elaborate more on Tired Hands. Good location though. And also a really cool environment. I wouldn't come here for the beer but rather that there's quite a bit to do in the immediate Ardmore area. Drink a beer with lilac in it. Then check out the rest of the neighborhood. Maido, is a Japanese restaurant/grocery store across the street. Go there.
TIRED HANDS
I've shared my thoughts above. I'm not going to elaborate more on Tired Hands. Good location though. And also a really cool environment. I wouldn't come here for the beer but rather that there's quite a bit to do in the immediate Ardmore area. Drink a beer with lilac in it. Then check out the rest of the neighborhood. Maido, is a Japanese restaurant/grocery store across the street. Go there.
TIN LIZARD
Tin Lizard has been temporarily closed long enough that it makes me think it's permanently closed. Tin Lizard had unusually good barbeque, and again, I really like this location in Bryn Mawr on Lancaster Avenue. There's a fancy La Colombe across the street in a converted garage and a few other nearby coffee places, like Green Engine, that make for a good before or after stop.
Tin Lizard has been temporarily closed long enough that it makes me think it's permanently closed. Tin Lizard had unusually good barbeque, and again, I really like this location in Bryn Mawr on Lancaster Avenue. There's a fancy La Colombe across the street in a converted garage and a few other nearby coffee places, like Green Engine, that make for a good before or after stop.
LA CABRA
La Cabra's menu is good enough to warrant a mention from Philadelphia Inquirer food critique Craig Laban as a highly rated suburban stop. A good place to stop in Berwyn. I try to head in here after stopping at a children's store in Devon. The parking is a bit tricky and La Cabra comes up on you quick.
La Cabra's menu is good enough to warrant a mention from Philadelphia Inquirer food critique Craig Laban as a highly rated suburban stop. A good place to stop in Berwyn. I try to head in here after stopping at a children's store in Devon. The parking is a bit tricky and La Cabra comes up on you quick.
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And now the rest of Montgomery County starting with a local favorite (and the order is a clockwise loop from there)...
CONSHOHOCKEN BREWING
My current hometown brewer. They've since expanded to Bridgeport and Phoenixville, where they opened larger brew pubs, but the original location on East Elm is typically where I head. It's a bit cozy. It can get a bit crowded. They rotate beers very, very fast so I'm in here quite a bit tasting all their seasonal beers.
CONSHOHOCKEN BREWING
My current hometown brewer. They've since expanded to Bridgeport and Phoenixville, where they opened larger brew pubs, but the original location on East Elm is typically where I head. It's a bit cozy. It can get a bit crowded. They rotate beers very, very fast so I'm in here quite a bit tasting all their seasonal beers.
WORKHORSE
Huge operation in Bridgeport. Beast of a brewery. Quality, down-the-middle-of-the-fairway beer. While Conshohocken Brewing can be a bit hit or miss with their creativity, Workhorse sticks to the classics. This place is ambitious enough and good enough that I contend they should have a more expansive food menu but I'm usually full on Filipino Food because I stop at Philly Pinoy first.
Huge operation in Bridgeport. Beast of a brewery. Quality, down-the-middle-of-the-fairway beer. While Conshohocken Brewing can be a bit hit or miss with their creativity, Workhorse sticks to the classics. This place is ambitious enough and good enough that I contend they should have a more expansive food menu but I'm usually full on Filipino Food because I stop at Philly Pinoy first.
VON C.
Another ambitious brewery in nearby Norristown. The von C brewers have a family connection to Schmidt's Brewing, a Philadelphia Brewery that started in the 1860s, although has long since been gone. Another down-the-middle-of-the-fairway beer brewery serving great classic beers. It makes a ton of sense to do a Workhorse and von C combo trip with a stop somewhere along Marshall Street in Norristown for Mexican food. Von C is dog friendly too.
Another ambitious brewery in nearby Norristown. The von C brewers have a family connection to Schmidt's Brewing, a Philadelphia Brewery that started in the 1860s, although has long since been gone. Another down-the-middle-of-the-fairway beer brewery serving great classic beers. It makes a ton of sense to do a Workhorse and von C combo trip with a stop somewhere along Marshall Street in Norristown for Mexican food. Von C is dog friendly too.
BALD BIRD'S
Warehouse microbrewery in Audobon. If you are heading to Workhorse and von C, repeating myself, it makes a ton of sense to include a stop here. It's not nearly as ambitious as the other two but has a more of a laid back vibe. Quiet place on a Saturday afternoon and if you couldn't tell from the photo below, they are dog friendly.
Warehouse microbrewery in Audobon. If you are heading to Workhorse and von C, repeating myself, it makes a ton of sense to include a stop here. It's not nearly as ambitious as the other two but has a more of a laid back vibe. Quiet place on a Saturday afternoon and if you couldn't tell from the photo below, they are dog friendly.
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TROUBLE'S END
Campout
Campout
STICKMAN BREWS
Another warehouse brewery. A good place to pop into after shopping a Philadelphia Premium Outlets. Highly rated.
Another warehouse brewery. A good place to pop into after shopping a Philadelphia Premium Outlets. Highly rated.
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HIDDEN RIVER
Farther up 422 above Philadelphia Premium Outlets, this place gets a lot of buzz in the Philadelphia microbrewery community as being a must stop. I certainly think that if you are up this way, if you are visiting Sly Fox and other microbreweries in the area, it's worth checking out but I did find it to be a bit anti-climatic. The disappointment is that while Hidden River is in a quasi no man's land up the Schuylkill, it's not actually on the Schuylkill. Man, if this place was on the river, it'd be perfect. Long way to drive for non-river views.
Farther up 422 above Philadelphia Premium Outlets, this place gets a lot of buzz in the Philadelphia microbrewery community as being a must stop. I certainly think that if you are up this way, if you are visiting Sly Fox and other microbreweries in the area, it's worth checking out but I did find it to be a bit anti-climatic. The disappointment is that while Hidden River is in a quasi no man's land up the Schuylkill, it's not actually on the Schuylkill. Man, if this place was on the river, it'd be perfect. Long way to drive for non-river views.
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BROTHER'S KERSCHNER
Slick spot. This area of Montgomery County has a collection of warehouse microbreweries, which kind of fall into the category of you've seen one you've seen them all, no offense, I'd take another of these warehouse microbreweries in the area as my neighborhood microbrewery but it's tough to make an argument to drive to them as part of a microbrewery tour. Then there's places like Brother's Kerschner. You come here on a Saturday night and the place feels cool the second you enter the parking lot. This is how it's done.
Slick spot. This area of Montgomery County has a collection of warehouse microbreweries, which kind of fall into the category of you've seen one you've seen them all, no offense, I'd take another of these warehouse microbreweries in the area as my neighborhood microbrewery but it's tough to make an argument to drive to them as part of a microbrewery tour. Then there's places like Brother's Kerschner. You come here on a Saturday night and the place feels cool the second you enter the parking lot. This is how it's done.
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BLUEPRINT
This is one of the warehouse microbreweries noted in the Brother's Kerschner blurb above. Cool spot or am I thinking of Imprint?
This is one of the warehouse microbreweries noted in the Brother's Kerschner blurb above. Cool spot or am I thinking of Imprint?
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IMPRINT
This is one of the warehouse microbreweries noted in the Brother's Kerschner blurb above. Cool spot or am I thinking of Blueprint? Imprint? Blueprint? Again no offense. If this place, or Blueprint, were five minutes away I'd be in once a week. But it's a warehouse.
This is one of the warehouse microbreweries noted in the Brother's Kerschner blurb above. Cool spot or am I thinking of Blueprint? Imprint? Blueprint? Again no offense. If this place, or Blueprint, were five minutes away I'd be in once a week. But it's a warehouse.
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ROUND GUYS
Round Guys feels like a neighborhood bar more than a microbrewery. Limited but good food menu. Is there a better suburban corner or really any corner in the Philadelphia area than Wood and Main St in Lansdale, which has Round Guys, Backyard Beans, and Stove and Tap? I don't think so. The headscratcher is why hasn't the rest of Lansdale caught up.
Round Guys feels like a neighborhood bar more than a microbrewery. Limited but good food menu. Is there a better suburban corner or really any corner in the Philadelphia area than Wood and Main St in Lansdale, which has Round Guys, Backyard Beans, and Stove and Tap? I don't think so. The headscratcher is why hasn't the rest of Lansdale caught up.
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MCCALLISTER BREWING
This spot along with 10-7 below comprise to awesome “cozy” North Wales microbreweries. They are both worth checking out together. These microbreweries feel more like a neighborhood tavern – when I walk in I feel like I’m a bit of an outsider, not that anything negative is directed to me, but in a positive sense that these places feel incorporated into the neighborhood.
This spot along with 10-7 below comprise to awesome “cozy” North Wales microbreweries. They are both worth checking out together. These microbreweries feel more like a neighborhood tavern – when I walk in I feel like I’m a bit of an outsider, not that anything negative is directed to me, but in a positive sense that these places feel incorporated into the neighborhood.
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TEN7
Slightly more “industrial” feel than McCallister but still a great local vibe.
Slightly more “industrial” feel than McCallister but still a great local vibe.
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FOREST AND MAIN
Over the past decade Ambler has transitioned to an after thought town to one of the hottest, if not the hottest town in the suburbs. When I commuter trained in/out of Philadelphia each day it wasn't even a consideration to stop for dinner in Ambler before heading home. All that has changed. Forest and Main has been a key component of that transition. While it’s bittersweet to see the brewery close their original location, at Forest and Main Streets, it’s also a bit of a coming-of-age story to move to Ambler’s Main Street. It is sort of the epitome of Ambler's rise.
Over the past decade Ambler has transitioned to an after thought town to one of the hottest, if not the hottest town in the suburbs. When I commuter trained in/out of Philadelphia each day it wasn't even a consideration to stop for dinner in Ambler before heading home. All that has changed. Forest and Main has been a key component of that transition. While it’s bittersweet to see the brewery close their original location, at Forest and Main Streets, it’s also a bit of a coming-of-age story to move to Ambler’s Main Street. It is sort of the epitome of Ambler's rise.
TANNERY RUN
Tannery Run is a peak example of Ambler’s transition to the hottest town in the suburbs. A decade ago a place like this on Main Street would have been too ambitious. Now it’s the perfect offering for local hipsters. This is a place that I bring out of town guests to show how “cool” Ambler is. Good beer. Good food.
Tannery Run is a peak example of Ambler’s transition to the hottest town in the suburbs. A decade ago a place like this on Main Street would have been too ambitious. Now it’s the perfect offering for local hipsters. This is a place that I bring out of town guests to show how “cool” Ambler is. Good beer. Good food.
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WELL CRAFTED
ARTIFACT
I love, love, love Artifacts location in a former gas station at York and Moreland Roads in Hatboro. If you believe breweries can be the heart of a local community, then Artifact is located in the perfect spot. With perfect weather, the brewery opens their garage doors, locals bring lawn chairs and order from food trucks or local restaurants to create a Friday night picnic atmosphere. There’s few better places to enjoy a Friday night - when it's warm or at least sit outside weather. Now if only someone would open a coffee shop in Hatboro.
I love, love, love Artifacts location in a former gas station at York and Moreland Roads in Hatboro. If you believe breweries can be the heart of a local community, then Artifact is located in the perfect spot. With perfect weather, the brewery opens their garage doors, locals bring lawn chairs and order from food trucks or local restaurants to create a Friday night picnic atmosphere. There’s few better places to enjoy a Friday night - when it's warm or at least sit outside weather. Now if only someone would open a coffee shop in Hatboro.
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CROOKED EYE
Crooked Eye is older than Artifact but at this point is a bit overshadowed. Crooked Eye has a neighborhood tavern feel and they are dog friendly. Similarly to other closely situated it makes a ton of sense to combine Crooked Eye and Artifact in a single “tour” – Artifact is the better “destination” but I think Crooked Eye has slightly better beer.
Crooked Eye is older than Artifact but at this point is a bit overshadowed. Crooked Eye has a neighborhood tavern feel and they are dog friendly. Similarly to other closely situated it makes a ton of sense to combine Crooked Eye and Artifact in a single “tour” – Artifact is the better “destination” but I think Crooked Eye has slightly better beer.
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BILL'S BEST
Nano brewery in Glenside that serves good BBQ. There’s a horseshoe shaped bar. A few tables around the sides. And that’s it. The photo below - that's the entire microbrewery. That’s all that’s needed.
Nano brewery in Glenside that serves good BBQ. There’s a horseshoe shaped bar. A few tables around the sides. And that’s it. The photo below - that's the entire microbrewery. That’s all that’s needed.
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CHESIRE BREWING
I had to have missed some but onward to Bucks County which will zig zag back and forth starting in Lower Bucks heading north...
BROKEN GOBLET
I’m going to need to revisit this place as part of a broader tour of Lower Bucks breweries. I visited several years ago and remember the brewery being in a business park. Google Map images look like they’ve moved and significantly expanded their facility to an almost nightclub sized building.
BROKEN GOBLET
I’m going to need to revisit this place as part of a broader tour of Lower Bucks breweries. I visited several years ago and remember the brewery being in a business park. Google Map images look like they’ve moved and significantly expanded their facility to an almost nightclub sized building.
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NESHAMINY CREEK
One of the more well-known brewers in the Philadelphia area – their cans are easy to find in supermarkets and bottle shops – and many Philly beer aficionados make a pilgrimage to their facility in Croydon. The brewery is in a warehouse facility with beer garden style tables, a huge projection TV, and arcades. There’s merchandise for sale including dog treats made from beer waste byproducts. If you are down this way, I’d also check out Waters Edge, a gastropub located right on the Neshaminy Creek – you can pull your boat up to the restaurant.
One of the more well-known brewers in the Philadelphia area – their cans are easy to find in supermarkets and bottle shops – and many Philly beer aficionados make a pilgrimage to their facility in Croydon. The brewery is in a warehouse facility with beer garden style tables, a huge projection TV, and arcades. There’s merchandise for sale including dog treats made from beer waste byproducts. If you are down this way, I’d also check out Waters Edge, a gastropub located right on the Neshaminy Creek – you can pull your boat up to the restaurant.
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ODD LOGIC
SECOND SIN
NAKED BREWING
Naked Brewing and Moss Mill are located in adjacent warehouse facilities along Buck Road. Naked has more of a warehouse feel to the tap room where as Moss Mill feels like you are drinking in a former front office of a warehouse. These two breweries illustrate that maybe you shouldn’t simply gear drinking tours around microbreweries. Both of these places do not leave much of an impression. If you want a unique drinking experience in this area check out Stroker Roadhouse, on Jacksonville Road, or the Red Stallion, on County Line Road. But…if I lived five minutes away I’d be rotating between Naked and Moss Mill every night.
Naked Brewing and Moss Mill are located in adjacent warehouse facilities along Buck Road. Naked has more of a warehouse feel to the tap room where as Moss Mill feels like you are drinking in a former front office of a warehouse. These two breweries illustrate that maybe you shouldn’t simply gear drinking tours around microbreweries. Both of these places do not leave much of an impression. If you want a unique drinking experience in this area check out Stroker Roadhouse, on Jacksonville Road, or the Red Stallion, on County Line Road. But…if I lived five minutes away I’d be rotating between Naked and Moss Mill every night.
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MOSS MILL
See above. Steam Pub is a good spot too.
See above. Steam Pub is a good spot too.
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ARISTAEUS
VAULT
Yardley’s a nice spot. I’d move their tomorrow. But I always thought the problem with visiting Yardley was that it was missing a “destination” to enter in Google Maps. Enter Vault Brewing. Located in the center of Yardley’s commercial area this is a slick brewery in a converted former bank. Hence the Vault name. Hence all thick stone wall exterior. Hence the banker stalls. Good food. Good beer. Add a before and after stop at Pretty Bird Coffee Roasters.
Yardley’s a nice spot. I’d move their tomorrow. But I always thought the problem with visiting Yardley was that it was missing a “destination” to enter in Google Maps. Enter Vault Brewing. Located in the center of Yardley’s commercial area this is a slick brewery in a converted former bank. Hence the Vault name. Hence all thick stone wall exterior. Hence the banker stalls. Good food. Good beer. Add a before and after stop at Pretty Bird Coffee Roasters.
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NEWTOWN BREWING
Ugh. Compare Newtown Brewing to Vault Brewing and see the difference between located in an upscale, quaint commercial district vs. a warehouse district. Newtown serves great beers but I guarantee they’d taste better if the brewery was located in the borough. As it is, I’d rather grab a drink at Isaac Newton’s or Green Parrot.
Ugh. Compare Newtown Brewing to Vault Brewing and see the difference between located in an upscale, quaint commercial district vs. a warehouse district. Newtown serves great beers but I guarantee they’d taste better if the brewery was located in the borough. As it is, I’d rather grab a drink at Isaac Newton’s or Green Parrot.
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TRANQUILITY
GREAT BARN
WARWICK FARM
We went here on Father’s Day thinking that it’d be quiet, that’d people would be down the shore…and we were wrong. This place was rocking. It felt like a family style Woodstock, complete with ridiculously long lines for beer (they have five beers why is it so complicated for people to order), although no music. I was blown away by this place. Loved the setup. Loved the views. Loved the barn-style brewery – who even knew there was such a concept. Cool. Cool. Cool. Need to return on Tuesday or Wednesday night when I can hopefully enjoy the place to myself.
We went here on Father’s Day thinking that it’d be quiet, that’d people would be down the shore…and we were wrong. This place was rocking. It felt like a family style Woodstock, complete with ridiculously long lines for beer (they have five beers why is it so complicated for people to order), although no music. I was blown away by this place. Loved the setup. Loved the views. Loved the barn-style brewery – who even knew there was such a concept. Cool. Cool. Cool. Need to return on Tuesday or Wednesday night when I can hopefully enjoy the place to myself.
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GERONIMO BREWING
MAD PRINCES
Nano brewery which doesn’t seem to be more than a few former friends deciding to get together and brew beer on the weekends. Limited hours. Worth a stop if you are heading to/from Peddler’s Village.
Nano brewery which doesn’t seem to be more than a few former friends deciding to get together and brew beer on the weekends. Limited hours. Worth a stop if you are heading to/from Peddler’s Village.
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TRIUMPH BREWING
BUCKS COUNTY BREWING
Nano brewery which doesn’t seem to be more than a few former friends deciding to get together and brew beer on the weekends. Limited hours. Did I just repeat myself? Located in a warehouse above Plumsteadville – so this place is up there with not much else around.
Nano brewery which doesn’t seem to be more than a few former friends deciding to get together and brew beer on the weekends. Limited hours. Did I just repeat myself? Located in a warehouse above Plumsteadville – so this place is up there with not much else around.
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FREE WILL
At one point they brewed my favorite local beer – Community Kolsch but they stopped brewing that beer because apparently I’m the only person who drinks kolschs. A popular brewery with cans that always seem available at the supermarket. Relatively large operations with an open and airy tap room in Perkasie. They have food trucks but then The Perk is a block away too.
At one point they brewed my favorite local beer – Community Kolsch but they stopped brewing that beer because apparently I’m the only person who drinks kolschs. A popular brewery with cans that always seem available at the supermarket. Relatively large operations with an open and airy tap room in Perkasie. They have food trucks but then The Perk is a block away too.
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THE PROPER
Another cool, slick microbrewery…in Quakertown no less. Quakertown is going through a bit of a revival so maybe cool and slick are terms that will be used more frequently with the town going forward. Better than good food. A visit here. A visit at the Trolley Barn Public Market, another cool, I wouldn’t call it slick, but a very cool food, shopping, etc. market, which has a microbrewery of its own, Two Rivers, and well that is quite the afternoon. While you are at it, throw in a stop at Q-Mart, the Quakertown Farmer’s Market.
Another cool, slick microbrewery…in Quakertown no less. Quakertown is going through a bit of a revival so maybe cool and slick are terms that will be used more frequently with the town going forward. Better than good food. A visit here. A visit at the Trolley Barn Public Market, another cool, I wouldn’t call it slick, but a very cool food, shopping, etc. market, which has a microbrewery of its own, Two Rivers, and well that is quite the afternoon. While you are at it, throw in a stop at Q-Mart, the Quakertown Farmer’s Market.
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Reaching a bit too far now...
LOST TAVERN
Located in "downtown" Hellertown - if you are driving from Allentown, Bethlehem, or Easton and going through Hellertown, you'll drive right past. They have (or had?) BBQ served on the weekends.
LOST TAVERN
Located in "downtown" Hellertown - if you are driving from Allentown, Bethlehem, or Easton and going through Hellertown, you'll drive right past. They have (or had?) BBQ served on the weekends.
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FEGLEY'S
Centrally located in Bethlehem they have a strong distribution presence in the Philadelphia area.
Centrally located in Bethlehem they have a strong distribution presence in the Philadelphia area.
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WEYERBACHER
These guys have been around since 1995 although I don't believe their beers are as "down the middle of the fairway" as the other old brewers in the area. Creative marketing too - they made a beer called Dallas Sucks among other unusually named beers. The brewery is located on the southern outskirts of Easton and is a warehouse style tap room - sort of similar to Neshaminy Creek in its setup.
These guys have been around since 1995 although I don't believe their beers are as "down the middle of the fairway" as the other old brewers in the area. Creative marketing too - they made a beer called Dallas Sucks among other unusually named beers. The brewery is located on the southern outskirts of Easton and is a warehouse style tap room - sort of similar to Neshaminy Creek in its setup.
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Delaware County - south to north
2SP
Ok. So let’s make a major distinction between a good microbrewery (meaning the beer they produce) and a good microbrewery (meaning the drinking environment). There’s a lot of awesome microbreweries, meaning the drinking environment, where I love to get a drink, even if that drink kind of sucks. Then there’s also microbreweries that serve amazing beer, award winning beer, some of the best beer in the Philadelphia area, and then have a dud of a microbrewery drinking environment/experience. 2SP is unfortunately in the latter. Someone needs to give them some money so they can open a tap room in West Chester, Media, Swarthmore, somewhere.
2SP
Ok. So let’s make a major distinction between a good microbrewery (meaning the beer they produce) and a good microbrewery (meaning the drinking environment). There’s a lot of awesome microbreweries, meaning the drinking environment, where I love to get a drink, even if that drink kind of sucks. Then there’s also microbreweries that serve amazing beer, award winning beer, some of the best beer in the Philadelphia area, and then have a dud of a microbrewery drinking environment/experience. 2SP is unfortunately in the latter. Someone needs to give them some money so they can open a tap room in West Chester, Media, Swarthmore, somewhere.
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STERLING PIG
And the opposite of 2SP. Great location. Great food. Bad beer.
And the opposite of 2SP. Great location. Great food. Bad beer.
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THE LARIMER BEER COMPANY
FOUR FINGERS
Chester County...
KENNETT BREWING COMPANY
KENNETT BREWING COMPANY
LEVANTE BREWING
Similar complaint to Newtown Brewing in that they serve good beer that would taste even better if I was drinking it in West Chester borough. Not as “warehousy” or non-descript as other business district breweries, I really like their tap room once I’m inside, but it’s still off West Chester’s main drag.
Similar complaint to Newtown Brewing in that they serve good beer that would taste even better if I was drinking it in West Chester borough. Not as “warehousy” or non-descript as other business district breweries, I really like their tap room once I’m inside, but it’s still off West Chester’s main drag.
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STABLE 12
Phoenixville is competing with Ambler for the hottest, “boomingest” suburban town. The town now has several microbreweries and I would label Stable 12, as a quieter environment but that could totally be limited to the one early Saturday afternoon that I visited.
Phoenixville is competing with Ambler for the hottest, “boomingest” suburban town. The town now has several microbreweries and I would label Stable 12, as a quieter environment but that could totally be limited to the one early Saturday afternoon that I visited.
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ROOT DOWN
Huge, rocking place in Phoenixville. Noisy. Bustling. Great spot to visit with friends. If you are drinking alone, like me, it’s a bit tricky to find a place to sit. Nonetheless, a great facility. Booming.
Huge, rocking place in Phoenixville. Noisy. Bustling. Great spot to visit with friends. If you are drinking alone, like me, it’s a bit tricky to find a place to sit. Nonetheless, a great facility. Booming.
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