For ballpark beer, Philly closer to average than best

When it comes to beer, Citizens Bank Park doesn't lead the league, though it does carry some outstanding brews, according to "The Best Beer in Baseball," a roundup by the Washington Post.

Overall, the Bank finished 11th, based on three scores: No. 12 for having local beers, No. 9 for quality, and No. 12 for number of being the only park to offer a particular kind.

CBP was actually short-changed for local beers, since the list only counted Pennsylvania breweries. No credit was given for several beers from nearby New Jersey (Flying Fish) and Delaware (Dogfish Head).

While that ranking outscores the other clubs in the division, and the Yankees and the Mets, it's not tops in Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh's PNC Park ranked much higher: fourth overall in baseball, third for "locality," fifth for quality, and ninth for "uniqueness."

The highest finishers overall: (1) Seattle, (2) Cincinnati and (3) Cleveland, which was No. 1 for quality. Baltimore's Camden Yards was No. 5 overall.

Of more practical value to fans are the listings of individual beers, with scores and brewery location. Here are some Philly highlights:

These were all outstanding or very good, according to BeerAdvocate.com. Area breweries in boldface type. *indicates found at no other MLB ballpark.

*Rare Vos (Amber Ale), Brewery Ommegang, New York. Score: 91.
Hop Devil Ale, Victory Brewing, Downingtown, Pa., 91.
*Prima Pils, Victory, 91.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Brewing, California, 90.
*Pikeland Pils, Sly Fox Brewing, Pottstown, Pa., 86.
*Royal Weisse, Sly Fox, 86.
Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Boston Beer, Massachusetts, 85.
Ommegang White, 85.
Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn Brewery, New York, 85
India Pale Ale, Goose Island Beer, Illinois, 85
Troegs Sunshine Pils, Troegs Brewing, Hershey, Pa. 85

All ranked as good, all brewed in the region.

*Summer Love, Victory, 84
Brawler Pugilist Style Ale, Yards Brewing, Philadelphia, 83.
*Philadelphia Pale Ale, Yards, 83.
*Swing Session Saison, Victory, 81.
*Victory Lager, Victory, 81.
*Shady Blond, Prism Brewing, North Wales, Pa., 80.

For more details, see "The Best Beer in Baseball." Where a pair of team logos appear, click to drop down and select other stadiums.

Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com. Follow @petemucha on Twitter.