Philadelphia Recommendations (2024)

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by William_Navidson, Jan 4, 2024.

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  1. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    New Ridge Brewing (Roxborough section of the city) is another brewery with a couple beer engines for rotating cask beers.
     
    #81 jmdrpi, Jun 25, 2024
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  2. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Shout out to @jonphisher for the encouragement to pick up some Yard's Pale Ale. The vast majority of the drinking I did in Philly was that beer, on the roof deck atop the place we rented. I brought back two sixers of it, along with two sixers of Yard's Brawler and, of course, Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald. The family schedule was such that I didn't get to do much beer exploration, but, quite honestly, chilling on that deck with those pale ale's was just what the doctor ordered. Salute.
     
    #82 Providence, Jul 1, 2024
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  3. jonphisher

    jonphisher Grand Pooh-Bah (3,850) Aug 9, 2015 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sounds like perfect vacation time spent to me :beers:
     
    #83 jonphisher, Jul 1, 2024
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  4. William_Navidson

    William_Navidson Pooh-Bah (1,557) May 1, 2015 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I know it gets attention occasionally, but I don't think Fermentery Form gets nearly enough credit. Swung by yesterday to see if they still had some of the Human Robot collab left (they did not), but everything I had on draft was exceptional. We're very lucky to have places like Referend and Form nearby -- but yesterday was the first time I've drank Form beers that I'd definitely put above Referend. The bartender there I was speaking with very nicely offered me a complimentary vintage bottle pour, as well.

    I completely get that, for some, they aren't worth the hassle of visiting such a tiny establishment with limited styles available... but the draft/bottle list was surprisingly extensive relative to when I've gone in years past, and they're open -seemingly- very regularly every Weds/Sat now.

    Would encourage others to swing by and try some of their newer bottles if you haven't been in a while.
     
    #84 William_Navidson, Jul 11, 2024
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  5. rolltide8425

    rolltide8425 Pooh-Bah (2,470) Feb 18, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    They'd get more attention if they were open more often.
     
    #85 rolltide8425, Jul 16, 2024
  6. William_Navidson

    William_Navidson Pooh-Bah (1,557) May 1, 2015 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Probably! But I get that that's simply not the intention. They're much more focused solely on the craft of their beer than are other tiny breweries in the area that seem like they need to have a bigger staff and hold events nearly every day in order to stay in business and maintain crowds (Meyers, Humble Parlor, Punch Buggy, etc).

    Instead, Form seems entirely focused on their beer rather than hosting yoga nights, which I appreciate. There's plenty of room for both styles of business in the area and I'm glad they're opened consistently two days a week, now.
     
    #86 William_Navidson, Jul 16, 2024
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  7. TmaveTebow

    TmaveTebow Zealot (744) Sep 3, 2013 New York
    Trader

    I've been planning a Philly beer excursion. Probably for just a 3 day weekend. For many years Tired Hands was a favorite spot of mine. As I'm drafting this new itinerary I'm a little surprised that I'm considering leaving them off. I think the only thing that has really swayed me back into considering fitting them in is the brew cafe. I really love that little spot and some of the brew cafe exclusive beers and the one-off casks they do would be fun.

    Besides that the must-visit spots are: Forest & Main, Human Robot (Jenkintown because I'll have little kids with me plus its closer to Ambler), and Carbon Copy. Those are my top 3. I'd also like to do Meetinghouse. Fermentory Form is also on the watch-list.

    If I can extend the trip an extra day I'm considering an excursion out to Hidden River or The Referend.
     
    #87 TmaveTebow, Jul 16, 2024
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  8. William_Navidson

    William_Navidson Pooh-Bah (1,557) May 1, 2015 Pennsylvania
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    Nice, hope you enjoy your trip!

    Tired Hands -- Ardmore is a little out of the way, and I don't drink their beer any longer but they were getting a little inconsistent as of a few years ago. That said, the brew cafe is a very cool spot. Additionally, if you'd really like Tired Hands beer but don't want to make the trek out to Ardmore there's a little spot in Fishtown, St. Oner's, that they have as well.

    Forest & Main, Human Robot, and Carbon Copy -- all excellent choices. No notes. All I'd add is that Carbon Copy is opening up their second taproom, this weekend (just a few blocks away from my house I'm lucky to report) in Port Richmond (near Fishtown). And the spot is also occupied by Mom Mom's, a beloved pierogi place in the neighborhood. The space is excellent.

    Meetinghouse is a very fun little spot in the same area... and as just mentioned I do love Form, but I will caution you that it might not be the best place for kids to join in. Pretty small indoor space and could be a little cramped, brewing stuff nearby.
     
    #88 William_Navidson, Jul 16, 2024
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  9. TmaveTebow

    TmaveTebow Zealot (744) Sep 3, 2013 New York
    Trader

    I actually just saw the Carbon Copy post on Instagram about the new location. I'll check in on the new spot once photos and stuff come online for it. Also good to know about form. I kind of figured that was the case, but I also thought I remembered seeing a little bit of outdoor space. If breweries have outdoor space I usually opt for it with the kids. But based on the limited space at form, plus the limited hours it's not at the top of my list.
     
    #89 TmaveTebow, Jul 17, 2024
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  10. William_Navidson

    William_Navidson Pooh-Bah (1,557) May 1, 2015 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    There is a little outdoor space but it’s literally a few barrels in an alleyway lol. Also, I’m sure you know already but it’s been unbearably hot lately… personally would try not to be outside for all that long if possible. Cheers!
     
    #90 William_Navidson, Jul 17, 2024
  11. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    You probably are aware, but in case you aren't, the Forest & Main locations are a good distance away from central Philadelphia. For a 3 day family trip, you might find it to be too much of an inconvenience or imposition. An alternative is to go to places that have their beers on tap or from a beer engine. Check Standard Tap's website. Same for Khyber Pass Pub.
     
    #91 zid, Jul 17, 2024
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  12. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    To add to the above - Also check Local 44 and Varga Bar.
     
    #92 zid, Jul 17, 2024
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  13. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I wouldn't recommend Varga Bar to someone with kids in tow - its a small place with just the bar and a few tables. Also the mural of the vintage pinup girls on the ceiling is not exactly explicit by today's standards but I guess depending on how conservative folks are, could raise some interesting questions from young kids.
    [​IMG]
     
    #93 jmdrpi, Jul 17, 2024
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  14. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks for adding that. I wasn't thinking of that at all.
     
    #94 zid, Jul 17, 2024
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  15. REVZEB

    REVZEB Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,686) Mar 28, 2013 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Planning a weekend trip to Philly for the Flyers home opener, thank you for this thread!
    Will be in the city only. Is there any places in town that
    1. Serves cask ale
    2. Has beer by The Referend (bottle shops work too)
    3. Forest and Main in the city?
    4. Love PA cheeses, got a best cheese shop recommendation?

    Thanks everyone, cheers! And go flyers!
     
    #95 REVZEB, Jul 30, 2024
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  16. William_Navidson

    William_Navidson Pooh-Bah (1,557) May 1, 2015 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    1. Not my area of expertise relative to some of the cask-seekers in this thread... but there's a few usual suspects mentioned on the past few pages that could be to your liking
    2. The place I most often see Referend at is Interstate Drafthouse (they may have a bottle menu available, not sure)... not super common to find it in the city otherwise though, in my experience unfortunately (great to be on the lookout for them though, some of the beer they make is incredible)
    3. Places that regularly have on F&M include Martha (two on right now), Standard Tap, Glory, Interstate again... it might be worth a few minutes, if you have time before your trip, just to run through a few of the bars I mentioned in that first post!

    You can also typically get F&M to-go at Richmond IGA (for decent prices) or, if need be, Bottle Bar East (from a less than decent business for far less decent prices). Others may have add'l bottle shop suggestions.

    Enjoy your trip and go Flyers!
     
    #96 William_Navidson, Jul 30, 2024
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  17. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I have seen Referend beer on the taplist at Varga Bar in the past. Looking at their current on-line menu (updated 7/28/24), they have three Referend beers listed in their bottle list, but not cheap. https://www.beermenus.com/places/871-varga-bar

    Varga also has a beer engine so there is a chance they would have a cask beer available.
    https://vargabar.com/
     
    #97 jmdrpi, Jul 31, 2024
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  18. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I would suggest you check out Standard Tap when you are in town. They serve beer on cask (Yards ESA at the moment) and today they have a Forest & Main beer on tap.

    https://standardtap.com/drink

    The food there is very good!

    Cheers!
     
    #98 JackHorzempa, Jul 31, 2024
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  19. Hayesbro

    Hayesbro Pundit (852) Oct 16, 2019 Pennsylvania

    F&M has been at most of the better beer shops in the city, including Beer Peddlers, Moore Beverage and Stone's. You'd probably have to call to see if anything is in stock.

    Best cheese shops I've been to are Claudio and DiBruno's in the Italian Market. I'm sure they have some PA cheeses among their selection, although they don't specialize in them.
     
    #99 Hayesbro, Jul 31, 2024
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  20. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Check out my posts on this page and the previous page for comments on places that might have Forest and Main cask beer. Check online menus ahead of time.
     
    #100 zid, Aug 1, 2024
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