Beer Bars - Mt Laurel Nj/Philly

Since I am sure you will get plenty of opinions on places in Philadelphia proper, I will mention the Blue Monkey Tavern (www.bluemonkeytavern.com/‎) in Merchantville, NJ, not too far from Mt. Laurel at all. I was a city dweller for many years, and this is one of the few bars in Southern NJ that holds up to my hobby in terms of selection and quality (40+ taps).

Also in that vicinity (Maple Shade, NJ) is an Uno Chicago Grill (gasp... a chain restaurant) with a very good selection of beer and frequent offerings from local brewers Carton and Kane.

 

I'd call ahead if you really want to double-check that Pliny is available right now.

 

Monks does not always have Pliny, especially this time a year as they just had their Younger Charity Day they might be low or out of Elder. They have Blind Big from time to time which is a very nice IPA as well.

I too would have to agree that Uno's in Maple Shade has a decent selection.

Pour House in Westmont as well as Irish Mile and Keg and Kitchen are not bad on Haddon Avenue in the Wesmont / Collingswood / Haddonfield Area.

Miller's Ale House on 73 in Mount Laurel is not too bad either.

Philly has so many good choices such as Kraft Works, Khyber (just had Younger here), and Barcade.

Lastly, in Berlin area down Rt 73 South you can stumble upon Victory Lane - they have a great selection of rotating taps bottles and cans.

 

Lots of good info here in this thread for Philly: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/philly-in-the-summer.162549/

Very few places in Philly that serves food that won't allow kids in. The one time it ever happened to me was some douche bag bouncer at Tattooed Mom told us that we have to leave the place (which is a bar and restaurant) by 7PM because we had our infant there because he's underage. We were drinking AND dining there. This is why I will never go back there or recommend the place.

Monk's is actually very kid-friendly, like many other gastropubs. We had our kid at the front bar when he was about 8-10 months. We only ran into 1 place, POPE, where the bartender won't let our infant sit at the bar with us "because of the law". Of course, we know that's BS so unless POPE has some really special beer on draft, we personally avoid going there. Obviously, all bets are off with sitting at the bar if your kids are older and underage, but if there is a restaurant part, you're good to go.

If you are visiting and want Pliny, ALWAYS call ahead just before you go to any place that shows they have Pliny. Although, they always have great beers on draft at Monk's.

 

If Pliny is on now, no way it lasts till mid-April.
Another good option which is kid friendly is The PourHouse in Westmont.
Usually a very good tap list and good food as well.

 

As for locals... while in NJ, look for anything by Carton or Kane. However, Carton only can's one beer of theirs - Boat Beer. In Mount Holly, NJ, a few miles north of Mt. Laurel, Village Idiot Brewing recently opened up, but they are only served on premise.

If you can handle a little further drive west of Philly, head to Tired Hands in Ardmore, PA. Again, they don't really bottle anything but the limited stuff, but you can truck home a growler or two. Other smaller scale "local" offerings I would look for would be Spring House and Voodoo.

 

Jay's Elbow Room on Rt.73 in Maple Shade, across the street from Uno's, just put in 16 new taps, 14 for craft. The hidden gem for craft ..........

 

Dang... i passed up a trip there last week to watch the NCAA's because I only remember that place being a macro slinging establishment.

 

NO WAY that's amazing.

 

Holy crap I looked it up and it's true. There is currently Lagunitas Sucks on tap at Jay's Elbow Room.

Now that's a sentence I never thought I'd type...

 

Where did you see the tap list?

EDIT: Found their Facebook... Sucks, Sculpin, DirtWolf, Nugget Nectar, Lot 3, MO all listed recently... wow.

 

That is incredible! I grew up in the area and I remember my dad telling me how he would go to the Elbow Room as his dive bar. It was always a running joke with me when I got old enough to drink in public and how I had to find my own version of "Jay's Elbow Room" down in VA. He's going to get a kick out of hearing this!

 

Mt Laurel, you need to check out the tap list at Mexican Food Factory. Happy hour Tacos and rare beers on tap.

 

What is next... the Erotic Cafe first to tap Pliny in NJ?

 

I remember when that place was called the "The Riviera" or "The Riv" for short. Fun place to end the night with my buddies when I was in my early 20's. You had to bring your own beer at that time though.

 

PJ Whelihans in Maple Shade on Route 38 always has an excellent tap list. Kane, Firestone Walker, Flying Fish, DFH, Troegs, Victory , Stoudts just to name a few right now. Better than Millers Ale House by far.

 

I'll give an honest answer in about one hour. I should stop laughing by then.