Philidelphia beer trip suggestions

Lots of useful answers/ideas in prior threads on this topic in the Mid-Atlantic forum. Good luck and enjoy your visit!

 

For events, what's on tap at local bars, etc: Check www.phillytapfinder.com

 

You can plan it all on this website.
http://www.phillybeerweek.org/
Make sure you try as many Victory, Weyerbacher and Yards offerings as possible.
May 30 to June 8 is when beer heaven moves into town.

 

I was using phillytapfinder.com and Blind Pig was listed at Monk's Cafe. When I got there, the bartender told me the keg kicked yesterday . Phillytapfinder.com is awesome, I only wish it's updated every hour. But that's probably too much work.

 

Also I've been told this and I regret that I didn't, you should probably stop at Tired Hands brewery.

 

That's a lot...but they are quite good at keeping their site updated. Always call ahead just to verify as a rule

 

Yep. Tired Hands is in Ardmore (western suburb). Haven't been there yet but good reports abound.

 

Tired Hands is amazing and go hungry. All food's either made in house or locally sourced. They have their act together.
P.S. - Have a ride home set up.

 

Regarding where to stay, the Alexander Inn at 12th and Spruce is nice, affordable and very conveniently located to many great beer spots.

 

I would suggest an apartment in the city on Airbnb, sure you can find something affordable in close proximity to some great bars. Friends and I stopped last year and were less than 2 blocks away from monks. We could walk to almost any bar in the city and we took the train to tired hands is worth the effort. We parked the car and hoofed it all weekend.

 

thx. glad that you like the site. we are happy to update as often as the bar sends us info. we try our best to keep everything as accurate as possible. -jared

 

Get a SEPTA transpass and study the transit map. Stay anwhere in Center City. Between walking and SEPTA you can hit virtually anyplace.

 

A good time to come might be for Pliny the Younger. Usually hits here in early March. Other than that, beer week is undoubtedly the best time to visit. It will change your life.

There are some reasonably priced hotels around the 12-13th and Walnut St. area. This is an ideal location for several reasons. First, you are centrally located for walking to many of the great beer bars in the city. Second, you are only a couple of blocks from the Market East train station, where you can hop the regional rail to Ardmore if you want to check out Tired Hands, and also hop on the El to head up to the Girard St. stop, where there are many excellent bars within walking distance of one another. Third, you are a short walk from the Foodery at 10th and Pine, which has one of the best bottle selections in the city. And finally, the 42 bus will take you into West Philly right to the front door of Local 44, which is a great bar that has an even better bottle shop attached to it. There are a couple other noteworthy beer-related stops in W. Philly as well.

There are so many great bars that it's hard to list them all. Obviously you have to go to Monk's, and I highly recommend going mid-afternoon. It's usually empty at 2 PM. Beyond that you can practically throw a dart at a map of the city and find a good beer bar; many neighborhoods in Philly have several top notch beer bars to choose from. Don't forget to check out the bottle shops too, to get a good sense of how much great beer really is available here.

 

Great bottle shops with great beers...but PA prices are way too high.

 

I made peace with that long ago. and it's still worth going to stores as a tourist here to scoop up beers not available in New Hampshire, even at inflated prices.

 

I would avoid any hotel on 13th Street, unless you're into *****y hookers.

BeerWeek certainly has lots of great stuff on tap, all over, but it's become such a sh!t show. Just not worth the hassle dealing with massive crowds.

Oh, South Philly is 5 minute subway ride from Center City. Several good beer bars all within walking distance of each other.

 

*****y hookers? Oh crap, guess I better cancel that date.

 

Below is something I posted in a previous thread.

You may also want to visit Yards Brewing on Delaware Ave.; they have a tasting room.

Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods. The selection of craft beer is excellent in several of the city’s neighborhoods:

Center City: Monks, Jose Pistolas, Nodding Head, Bru Craft, etc.

Old City: Irish-Pol, Khyber Pass. Triumph, Eulogy, Triumph Brewpub, etc

Northern Liberties: Standard Tap, Abbaye, etc.

Fishtown: Kraftwork, Johnny Brendas, Memphis, etc.

University City (West Philly): Local 44, City Tap House, etc

Art Museum Area: The Belgian Café, Bishops Collar, London Grill, Brigids, etc.

South Philly: Devils Den, P.O.P.E., South Philly Tap Room.

And then there are outlying neighborhoods of Manayunk, Chestnut Hill/West Mount Airy, etc.

You would almost have to work hard to not find good beer in Philly.

Cheers!

P.S. If you are interested in starting a ‘shit storm’, ask: Where is the best place to get a cheesesteak in Philly?

 

P.P.S. Please don't ask.