Craig LaBan's top taps

If Philly Beer Week proves anything, it's that artisan brews can now be found virtually everywhere. Here, though, is a list of some of my favorite area destinations to hoist a pint or goblet:

Monk's Cafe

, 246 S. 16th St., 215-545-7005. The Belgian bistro that tapped the Flemish frenzy with an encyclopedic Belgo-beer list, mussel pots, and great burgers. Siblings

Grace

(in G-Ho) and

Belgian Cafe

(in Fairmount) are also great places to ale down.

Zot, 122 Lombard St., 267-639-3260. The best mussels and ambience of the local Belgians, with a big beer list to match.

Teresa's Next Door, 124-26 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne, 610-293-0119. A Belgian polished-up for the burbs, with 24 taps, gorgeous glassware, and a surprising Mexican flair.

Eulogy Belgian Tavern, 136 Chestnut St., 215-413-1918. Probably the biggest bottle list in town, and maybe the best fries, the cramped Old City space is also a spooky bar with skeletons upstairs.

The Grey Lodge Pub

, 6235 Frankford Ave., 215-825-5357. Mike "Scoats" Scotese's unlikely beer mecca in the Northeast draws from far and wide for cult events, like Friday the Firkenteenth. The small menu also has a notable house cheesesteak.

The Khyber Pass, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888. The rock-and-roll pioneer of Philly's craft beer scene, among the first to serve hand-pumped Yards beer. As grungy and noisy as ever, but with 12 great drafts and more than 100 bottles.

Tria, 123 S. 18th St., 215-972-8742. The beer bar with a chic upscale Rittenhouse polish. It also serves wine and cheese, but beer is its forte, with a smart eclectic list ranging from Russian River to Hitchino and rauchbier.

The Standard Tap

, 901 N. Second St., 215-238-0630; and

Johnny Brenda's

, 1201 Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684. The Tap's focus on fresh local brews and great food (duck confit, chicken pies, game, etc.) launched the trend in Northern Liberties. Johnny Brenda's Medi-tapas and indie band hall brought the momentum farther north to Fishtown.

Ansill, 627 S. Third St., 215-627-2485. One of the city's premier small-plate (and offal) restaurants also has an excellent beer selection, from Saison Dupont to German black lager.

The South Philly Taproom, 1509 Mifflin St., 215-271-7787. A brewer's dozen of artisan beers on tap and 80 craft bottles to go with wild boar burritos and spicy gumbo in a beautifully restored historical space. The city's southern-most craft beer pole (outside of Citizens Bank Park).

Jose Pistola's, 263 S. 15th St., 215-545-4101. A surprising Mexican-themed bar in the old Copa Too where you can get La Chouffe, Jever pils, St. Bernardus or Cantillon on draft with your fish tacos.

Good Dog Bar, 224 S. 15th St., 215-985-9600. A 10-spot of local beers on draft to go with the best cheeseburger in town. Good enough for lawyers and bike messengers to mingle.

The Royal Tavern, 937 E. Passyunk, 215-389-6694. A blackboard of artisan brews, a surprising whiskey list, and excellent vegan options if the grilled meat loaf isn't for you.

N. 3rd, 801 N. Third St., 215-413-3666. Comfort- food updates and a funky No Libs ambience tastes better with a nice list of Belgian bottles and local craft beers.

McMenamin's, 7170 Germantown Ave., 215-247-9920. This Mount Airy fixture feels like an old-time tavern, but has a serious beer and whiskey list, and earnest pub-plus cooking.

You can't forget Guinness in March! Here are my three picks for a good pint of the creamy stout: The Plough & the Stars, 123 Chestnut St. (enter off S. Second St.), 215-733-0300; The Bards, 2013 Walnut St., 215-569-9585; The Black Sheep, 247 S. 17th St., 215-545-9473.

Triumph Brewery, 117 Chestnut St., 215-625-0855. A sleek and sprawling newcomer to Old City, but with surprisingly well-crafted and sophisticated beers.

Nodding Head, 1516 Sansom St., second floor, 215-569-9525. Successor to the city's first new post-Prohibition brewery (Sam Adams Brew House), it's a great spot for quirky brews like Wee Heavier Scottish strong ale and Rudy's Kung Fu Grip Belgian-stye ale.

The Foodery

837 N. Second St., 215-238-6077. Probably the best retail beer store I've ever seen - where you can relax in the deli seating area and sample any of 850-plus beers from the fridge.