Guide To Philly Beer Week 2015
Put on your drinking cap: Philly Beer Week is here at last! This year marks the eighth consecutive year that the massive beer fest—the largest of its kind in the nation—has descended on the city. And with hundreds of events spread over 10 days (and more nearly 100 U.S. cities hosting copy-cat fests), it's no wonder Frommer's ranked the City of Brotherly Love one of the best cities for beer in the world. –Chelsea Karnash
THE BASICS
What: Philadelphia Beer Week celebrates the city's 300+ years of beer-brewing and features hundreds of dinners, tours, pub crawls, tastings, meet-the-brewer nights and festivals within the Greater Philadelphia area.
When: Friday, May 29 – Sunday, June 7
Where: Various pubs, restaurants, taverns, breweries and local attractions.
EVENTS
As previously mentioned, Philly Beer Week has hundreds of events on the schedule—impressive, but slightly overwhelming. To help you wade through the myriad options, some of the most unique and intriguing events are highlighted below. For a full schedule of Beer Week events, click here.
FRIDAY, MAY 29
Hammer of Glory Opening Tap & Relay
Various bars then 23rd Street Armory
Noon – 10 p.m.; pay as you go for relay, $25-92 for party
The official symbol of Philly Beer Week, the Hammer of Glory (HOG), sets off on its glorious Olympic torch-style journey through some of Philadelphia's bars and pubs, starting at London Grill and ending up at the 23rd Street Armory just in time for the Opening Tap. Cheer it on with a few cold brews along the way as you celebrate the start of an epic week, then kick off Beer Week in style at the Armory with a four hour fete that includes live music, DiBruno cheese and plenty of brews.
SATURDAY, MAY 30
It's A Firkin Riot!
Johnny Brenda's
1201 Frankford Ave
12 p.m. – 12 a.m., pay as you go
Channel your inner Brit with all-day British rock, meat pies, fish and chips and local brews from the bar's firkin rack.
Pin Up Block Party & BBQ
Varga Bar
www.vargabar.com
12 p.m. – 11 p.m., pay as you go
Craft beer, food fresh off the grill, wings, games and a hot dog-eating contest are just some of the activities slated to happen at Varga Bar's 6th annual Pin Up Block Party. Interested in being a pin-up girl for the bar's annual calendar? The search begins today, so don your best pin up outfit and get your photos taken!
Victory Sundae Saturday
Whole Foods Glen Mills
475 Wilmington West Chester Pike
12 – 3 p.m., pay as you go
Cool down with Victory beer ice cream floats and ice cream waffle sandwiches, or nosh on a beer-infused cupcake at this delish-sounding event.
Pints for Paws with Weyerbacher and the Delco SPCA
Whole Foods Market – Mile Post Pub
821 Lancaster Ave (Wayne)
12 p.m., pay as you go
Help raise money for the Delaware County SPCA and enjoy plenty of beer at this event, which features live music, adoptable dogs and kittens, Weyerbacher brews and food from the grill, all to raise money for shelter animals.
Great Beer Expo + VIP Session
Navy Yard, Marine Parade Grounds
4747 S Broad St
12:30 – 5 p.m., $75
Taste more than 200 of the best beers from around the world inside this tented party in the Navy Yard with a new VIP hour for 2015. And FYI, you're drinking to charity – proceeds go toward the Committee to Benefit the Children.
SUNDAY, MAY 31
East Passyunk Craft Beer Day
Along East Passyunk Ave
Starts at 11 a.m., pay as you go
Thirteen hours of tastings, pairings, meet-the-brewer events and more are on the schedule at this all-day craft beer fest. As the website instructs, you'd better "get thirsty!"
MONDAY, JUNE 1
Brew N History Tour
Christ Church Burial Ground
485 Arch St
5:30 – 6:30 p.m., $10
Take this beer-centric tour of some of one of Philly's most historic sites, the Christ Church Burial Ground. Tours are offered on several days throughout Beer Week.
Spring House & Cupcakes
Lucky's Last Chance
4421 Main St (Manayunk)
7 p.m. – midnight, pay as you go
What could be more intriguing than a beer and cupcake pairing? Head to Manayunk for a slew of Spring House's brews paired with decadent cupcakes from Sweet Elizabeth's.
TUESDAY, JUNE 2
German Beer Sparkle Party & Drag Show with Martha Graham Cracker
Alla Spina
1410 Mt. Vernon St
8 p.m. – 2 a.m., $15 in advance ($20 at the door)
June isn't just about Beer Week; it's also LGBT Pride Month. Join the Queen, Martha Graham Cracker, and her cabaret band for a drag show unlike any other. German brews, food and other entertainment is also part of the fun.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
Yards Brew Ha Ha
Field House
1150 Filbert St
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
"Local beer meets local comedians" for a brew-ha-ha at the Field House featuring Yards beers.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
Battle RoyAle
TIME
1315 Sansom St
8 – 10 p.m., pay as you go
Ten Pa. breweries – including Sly Fox and Victory -- face off in this competition to see who brews it best. Support your fave or sample something new.
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
First Friday Beer & Ice Cream
Saint Benjamin Brewing Company
1710 N 5th St
5 – 7 p.m., pay as you go
Pair your beer with ice cream at this First Friday event featuring the wild and wacky flavors of Little Baby's IC.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
Fishtown FestivALE
Frankford Avenue between Girard Avenue and Shackamaxon Street
12 p.m. – 8 p.m., pay as you go
Johnny Brenda's, Fette Sau and Frankford Hall team up for the third annual installation of this massive outdoor beer fest, complete with live music, photo opps and tons of brews and chews.
Hot Dog and Homebrew Extravaganza
Memphis Taproom
2331 E Cumberland St
12 – 4 p.m., $35
Get thee to Kensington for hyper-local homebrews and all-you-can-eat hot dogs at this fun brew and chew.
Pilsner Picnic & Wurstfest Weekend
Hop Angel Brauhaus
7980 Oxford Ave
3 – 10 p.m., pay as you go
The first day of this weekend-long celebration kicks off with a family-friendly tented party full of beer, keg bowling and sausage specials.
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
Pilsner Picnic & Wurstfest Weekend
Hop Angel Brauhaus
7980 Oxford Ave
3 – 8 p.m., pay as you go
Day 2 of the tent party features all the fun of the first.
Goose Island Block Party & Pig Roast
Alla Spina
1410 Mt Vernon St
2 – 8 p.m., pay as you go
Head to the Fairmount 'hood for an old-school block party and pig roast. Expect tons of beer from Goose Island, tasty treats and fun lawn games.
Dock Street's 7th Annual Music Festival & Scavenger Run
Dock Street Brewery
701 S 50th St
4 – 8 p.m., pay as you go ($25 for the run)
Say goodbye to Philly Beer Week and hopefully, to your hangover (hair of the dog, anyone?) at this music and beer fest. Sip on Dock Street's tasty beers, munch on wood-fired pizza, and listen to live music from local bands at this Beer Week last-hurrah. And if you're feeling fit, test your hunting skills during the Scavenger Run, which offers beer-themed prizes to winners.
AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT…
Philly Beer Week Beer Garden
The Shambles at Headhouse Square
2nd & Lombard Sts
June 1 – 7 from 5 – 9 p.m., pay as you go
Just as E = MC2, sunshine + beer = amazingness. This year, Beer Week's HQ returns to Headhouse Square. A different local brewer's beers will be featured each day, and there will be a selection of yummy food available (to line your stomach!), too.
