What's in store for Philly Beer Week 2015
Starting Friday, May 29, through Sunday, June 7, Philly Beer Week returns for a weeklong celebration all about brew.
Starting Friday, May 29, through Sunday, June 7, Philly Beer Week returns for a weeklong celebration all about brew.
This year's has everything, such as tap takeovers, Q&A's, pub crawls, and even a boozy pop-up golf course. Philadelphians and visitors will not want to miss out.
With hundreds of bars, breweries, and beer companies throughout the states participating in PBW, it's literally impossible to get to them all.
Here are our picks throughout the unofficial local holiday.
Friday, May 29
Opening Tap
23rd Street Armory (22 S. 23rd St)
The grand event of the whole week, Opening Tap is the kickoff for Philly Beer Week and features over 40 local craft breweries, live music, and the tapping of the 2015 PBW brew, Brotherly Suds. The event starts at 7 p.m.
Allagash Takeover
Memphis Taproom (2331 E. Cumberland St.)
Join the brains behind Portland, Maine, brewery Allagash for an evening of conversing and beer tastings. The event starts at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 30
Great International Beer Expo
Navy Yard (4747 S. Broad St.)
If you're into tasting hundreds of beers varying in styles, this event is the perfect pick for you. VIP session is at 12:30 p.m., general admission is at 1:30 p.m.
Root Beer Floats in the Courtyard
Jerry's Bar (129 W. Laurel St.)
For those with kiddies: Jerry's Bar will serve Sprecher hard and soft root beer and ice cream courtesy of Little Baby's Ice Cream. $2 from each float will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charity.
Deschutes Pop-up Mobile Garden
Headhouse Square (Second and South Streets)
Bend, Oregon brewery Deschutes introduces a very large mobile pop-up bar to the city featuring 40 taps that will be offering Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Ale, Bachelor Bitter, 2014 The Abyss, Fresh Squeezed IPA, and more. The event starts at noon.
Smutt Putt
City Tap House University City (3925 Walnut St.)
Sink some holes in putt-putt while sipping on select Smutty Nose brews. The event starts at noon.
Yards/USciences Homebrew Analysis Event
City Tap House University (3925 Walnut St.)
The USciences and beer scientists from Yards, Victory, and Dogfish Head will be at stations to give you data on your homebrew including SRM, pH, package CO2, turbidity, and total polyphenols.
East Passyunk Craft beer festival (multiple locations)
To celebrate Philly Beer Week, bars along East Passyunk Avenue get together for a craft beer crawl featuring beer specials, food tastings, and brewer talks. The crawl starts at 11 a.m.
Pints for Paws
Whole Foods Market (821 Lancaster Ave.)
Bring your pets to Whole Foods' Pub and enjoy Weyerbacher's Last Chance IPA, live music, and food from Little Baby's Ice Cream, Eat-A-Pita, and Chees-E-Wagon. Proceeds go toward the Delaware County SPCA.
Sour Days
Philly Homebrew Outlet (1447 N. American St.)
Meet the Philly Homebrew crew and enjoy complimentary homemade sour beers. The event is from noon to 4 p.m.
Throwdown in Franklintown
Kite & Key (1836 Callowhill St.)
This annual tradition features Tom Kehoe from Yards going up against the Kite & Key's Jim Kirk in numerous games and contests. The event is from 2 to 6 p.m. and is one of the only locations you can score a limited edition Yards 20th Anniversary Sour.
Party With Sam Calagione and Jim Robertson
Local 44 (4333 Spruce St.)
Meet the fine folks behind Dogfish Head and Wells & Young at this beer tasting class. The event starts at noon and runs until 3 p.m.
PBW Pop-up Beer Garden
Headhouse Square (2nd and Lombard St.)
Celebrate Philly Beer Week with a pop-up beer garden that will feature numerous local craft brews. Throughout the week, enjoy brews by Vault Brewing, 2nd Story Brewing, Saint Benjamin, Barren Hill, and PBW collaboration beers Leuven On A Prayer and Brotherly Suds. The garden is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, June 1 through Friday, June 5.
Tuesday, June 2
Too Many Cooks
Sancho Pistola's (19 W. Girard Ave.)
For the ultimate dinner: Sancho Pistola's chef Adan Trinidad invites seven chefs to his kitchen for a beer-pairing meal featuring eight courses and 11 beers including rare beers from Firestone Walker, Oxbow, Cantillon, and more. The dinner starts at 7 p.m.
2nd Annual Brew-Au
McGillin's Olde Ale House (1310 Drury St.)
Rock your favorite Hawaiian shirt and hula-hoop throughout the day as McGillin's teams up with Flying Fish for a tropical party. Enjoy specially priced brews including Brotherly Suds, Oyster Stout, Farmhouse Ale, and food deals on wings. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Farmer's Lunch with Hof ten Dormaal
Monk's Café (264 S. 16th St.)
Meet head brewer Jef Janssens of Hof ten Dormaal as he discusses the process and making of Philly Beer Week's collaborative ale, Leuven On A Prayer. Proceeds from the event will go toward Hof ten Dormaal's building which experienced a fire in January. The lunch is from noon to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, June 3
Beer Geek Quizzo
Victoria Freehouse (10 S. Front St.)
Test your beer smarts during a boozy trivia game in honor of Philly Beer Week. Wells & Young giveaways will be presented throughout the event. The game is from 8 to 10 p.m.
Chimay Day
Teresa's Café (124-126 N. Wayne Ave.)
Kick it with Chimay's beer ambassador Bobo and sip on $2 Chimay Doree and Chimay White pours. The event is from 3 to 5 p.m.
Eastern State with Stoudt's
London Grill (2301 Fairmount Ave.)
Get an exclusive look at Philadelphia's oldest prison with a guided tour, followed by food and Stoudt's pours such as Willie Sutton Lager, named after a bank robber and former escaped criminal. The event starts at 5:30 p.m.
Golf Classic
Standard Tap (901 N. 2nd St.)
Don your plaid and compete in a boozy golfing game. Weyerbacher prizes will be given out throughout the day. The game tees off at 5 p.m. and wraps up at 8 p.m.
Meet Randy Mosher
2nd Story Brewing Co (117 Chestnut St.)
Beer writer Randy Mosher stops by 2nd Story Brewing Co. for a discussion about his latest book, Mastering Homebrew: The Complete Guide to Brewing Delicious Beer. The event is from 7 to 10 p.m.
Thursday, June 4
Flordia Tap Takeover
Devil's Den (1148 S. 11th St.)
Get a taste of beer you've probably never tried before as Florida brewery Saltwater takes over the taps at Devil's Den. From heavy Belgian styles to sour ales, you'll certainly enjoy a pint, or two. The event is from 7 to 11 p.m.
Drag Night
Taproom on 19th (2400 S. 19th St.)
Sip on Left Hand brews and watch as Josh Schonewolf presents a Drag Queen Takeover featuring performances by Mistor Fahrenheit, Satine Harlow, Lili St. Queer, and Sutton Fearce. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Logan?v=timeline&filter=2" target="_blank">Avery Brewery Tasting
City Tap House Logan (2 Logan Sq.)
Colorado brewery Avery will stop at City Tap House Logan for an exclusive beer tasting and talk featuring sours, and wine & whiskey barrel-aged brews. Entry includes a tasting glass and a spread of charcuterie. The class starts at 4 p.m.
Pigs in Space
Percy Street Barbecue (900 South St.)
An event that's sure not to 'boar' – the barbecue restaurant will serve porky treats paired with Oskar Blues Brews and will host a mechanical pig contest. The event is from 4 to 11 p.m.
Friday, June 5
Canwood Derby
Good Dog (224 S. 15th St.)
Get crafty with Tröegs and Sly Fox cans and build your very own Pinewood Derby car. Frames will be available at Good Dog. The building starts at 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 6
Two Roads' Food Truck Evening
The Garage (1231-1233 E. Passyunk Ave.)
The Garage's food truck gets taken over by Drexel University's Culinary Students and will present a boozy menu made with Two Roads brews. The event is from 5 to 10 p.m.
Beer and Cheese with Boulevard Brews and Di Bruno Brothers
The Foodery Rittenhouse (1710 Sansom St.)
Di Bruno Brothers and Boulevard Brewing get together for an evening of free pairings featuring the brewery's new line of cans and a variety of cheeses. The event is from 6 to 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 7
Goose Island Block Party and Pig Roast
Alla Spina (1410 Mt. Vernon St.)
Alla Spina is shutting down the street for a final Philly Beer Week celebration featuring Goose Island brews and a barbecue roast from James Beard Award-winning Chicago chef Paul Kahan. The BBQ will feature roasted pigs, house-made sausages, ribs, and Windy City specials. The party kicks off at 2 p.m.
Beers Your Dad Drank
Taproom on 19th (2400 S. 19th St.)
Go old school on the last day of Philly Beer Week with those beers you probably stole out of the fridge when you were a child. Think Schlitz and Old Milwaukee The event starts at 3 p.m.
Dock Street Scavenger Run and Free Music Festival
Dock Street Brewing Co. (701 S. 50th St.)
Say goodbye to Philly Beer Week during this free music festival and enjoy beers and kitchen specials. As for the Scavenger Run, work out and get your drink on as you hunt down what's on the list. Both events start at 4 p.m.
For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.