Pennsylvania's Best

It would probably be helpful to state what styles you like so you aren't given bum suggestions. But since you didn't, I pretty much feel like Victory does everything right, even if it is in a style that I do not prefer.

Happy 4th; I hope you enjoy your visit to our wonderful state.

 

If you are going to be in Philly, you will have access to a lot. Russian River bottles come to mind...maybe grab some PA locals like Victory DirtWolf or some Troegs offerings. What styles do you favor?

 

Keep yer eyes peeled for some Neshaminy Creek fresh County Line IPA

 

In addition to the suggestions you'll get, you can check out the list of PAs best in the Top Beers section of the site.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/lists/state/pa/

Some are seasonal and not available right now, or may be in short supply, but it will at least give you some additional things to look at.

 

Neshaminy Creek The Shape of Hops to Come

 

If you are a growler sort of person, make a trip to Tired Hands (Ardmore, PA) and buy some Tired Hands growlers.

Also, the same for Forest & Main (Ambler, PA).

Both brewpubs are in suburbs of Philly.

Cheers!

P.S. I have had a number of excellent Porters/Stouts from Forest & Main.

 

Not sure if u can get Sunday Morning Stout from Weyerbacher still but it's one of the best.

 

If you like Porters, keep an eye out for Yard's General Washington Porter.
Also Neshaminy Creek Leon Russian Imperial Stout is good and you may run
into some Springhouse bottles like She Monster or Big Gruesome on shelves.
Not sure where Cherry Springs is, but if you're in the Philly area I second the recommendation for both Tired Hands, both locations (3 blocks apart from each other, different beers and food at each), as well as Forest and Main.

 

Thanks for clarifying; thought you meant "labia." Though you were a labia guy.

 

Shawneecraft Bourbon Barrel Porter is one the best I've ever had. They might still have bottles for sale at the brewery, but it is a seasonal.

Penndemonium is pretty good for a maiboch.

Spring House Big Grewsome Peanut Butter Chocolate Stout is the best chocolate stout I think I've ever had.

Should be readily available statewide in bombers.

 

For beers made in PA, Yards Love Stout and Victory Storm King are decent options. If you're into porters/stouts, consider giving Tröegs Troegenator dopplebock a shot as well. Enjoy!

 

Few breweries along the way from Cherry Springs would be Berwick, Selinsgrove, Weyerbaucher and Tired Hands. Victory and Troegs are worth the trip if you have time. Sunday Morning Stout is probably gone but pick up a bottle of Tiny and Hersey. While in Philly look up phillytapfinder.com. My favorite bottle shop is The Beer Store in Malvern if you get out there. Huge selection.

 

Just a note to the OP, this is a minority opinion on BA:
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/beer-store-in-malvern.209440/

 

Troegs Javahead Stout is pretty good.

 

The last time I was there I saw Supplication, Consecration and Damnation in more than one bottle shop.

 

Damnation is almost always sitting on shelves. The sours from russian river are a bit harder to come by. They seem to get a shipment in maybe 4-6 times a year and they go relatively quick. You can find Supplication and a few of the other ones on draft.

 

Yeah I don't get it. People complain about their prices. It's pretty comparable to most places around me and even cheaper than a lot of other places. People complain about how they handle limited release bottles. I'm not sure how any bar can make people happy about that one. So the bars around me, I waited in line for a 4oz half pour of CBS. That didn't bother me, since it made it so the most people could try it. What bothered me was some of the bartenders were pouring multiple ones and 8 oz pours for some people they knew. But whatever, it's their place and their beer. Another place I pay an annual membership to gain access to such beers as KBS and CBS. They were serving 8 oz in a sample with 2 others for each. So you had to buy 6 beers to get the 2. Some people were freaking about that too, but whatever. I'm still very loyal to both places. I just like how I'm treated at Malvern, honestly.

Although I'm an hour and a half away from Malvern, I try to stop in whenever I am passing by on my way to Philly. I'm always greeted by name with a big hand shake by either the owner or the bartender and they typically ask me about my family. I get good answers for my questions and their recommendations are usually spot on. When I'm there, I see them treating other people exactly the same way. So I'm not sure what to tell ya. I visit the breweries and bars close to my house a lot and don't get anywhere near the same kind of service. So even if their prices are higher on certain beers, I'd pay higher for their service. Just my opinion.