Best Breweries in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a great part of any travel plan and was voted one of the best places to visit in 2021. Any part of travel involves tasting and sightseeing and Philly delivers that and a lot more. Philly is home to a few authentic craft breweries and as you start to find more about the state, here are some of the best breweries in Philadelphia.
Brewery Ars
1927 W Passyunk Ave Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 960-5173
This self-described garage brewery is home to a myriad of beers. The owners, Andy and Sean Arsenault are brothers who started the brewery with the dream of being a one-stop-shop for great beers. They started learning how to brew in the early 2000s with extraction bars and upgraded to all-grain extracts. Over time, they opened up a shop to sell the excess beer they crafted. Today, the spot is a fan favourite for a variety of well-crafted beers for the regulars and new guests as well.
Dock Street
2118 Washington Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 337-3103
Rosemarie Certo and Jeffrey Ware established Dock Street in 1985 and was one of the first microbreweries in Philadelphia. Over time, it has grown into an artisanal brewery that on a historical firehouse. The brewery has won multiple awards thanks to its experimental side at has given rise to different beer flavours. To top it up, they offer some incredible wood-fired pizza that pairs well with some of the beers. If it’s your first time there, try out the La Biere de Amis, a specialty takeout bottle.
Crime and Punishment
2711 W Girard Ave Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 235-2739
Don’t let the name deter you, this place delivers some great beer! The brewery is located in Brewery town and the combination of beers and food is one of the best in the town. The place transitioned from a bike shop into a brewery in 2015. Their Brown and Pale Ale and their Dry Hopped Gose are a specialty that most regulars really love. The brewery also gives back to society by supporting the little leagues in the community.
Urban Village Brewing
1001 N 2nd St Philadelphia, PA 19123
(267) 687-1961
The Northern Liberties are home to the Urban Village, a small craft beer brewery that has, if anything, crafted a name for itself in the brewery industry. The brewery has a great ambiance for anything meeting, including family, friends or business. With amazing beer flavours and some good food, make a point of dropping in here. Make a point of going in when it is game day. You’re going to love the crowd.
Evil Genius Beer
1727 N Front St Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 425-6820
Based in Fishtown, this spot is a beer garden with its own production of hard seltzer and their famous limited brews. People wait for these as they do fashion drops. The bar can seat 165 people, so you can go and watch a game with friends. Their silly beer names are so catchy you will laugh at every order. They have happy hour that runs through Tuesday but you need to go early since they close at 8. Their beers are a great selection and the beach day is a great choice if you want a recommendation.
Iron Hill Brewery
1150 Market St Philadelphia, PA 19107
(267) 507-7365
In 1996, Iron Hill Brewery opened up its doors and it’s been serving greatness for 25 years. The founders Kevin Finn, Mark Edelson and Kevin Davies have been brewing exquisite craft beers that got them a first place as the Best Brewpub in the world at the Great American Beer Festival. They have a great selection of food as well, so you can bite and sip as you enjoy time with friends. The best part is that they have gone global so you can enjoy the world’s best craft beers in more than a dozen locations.
Earth Bread + Brewery
7136 Germantown Ave Philadelphia, PA 19119
(215) 242-6666
This is one of the best breweries in Philadelphia. If you are a fan of hand-crafted stuff, good beer and flatbread pizza, this is the place for you. One of the most famous beers here is the Neanderthaler which is a malty and fruity version of a famous ale from Germany. With a rich malt profile, this is probably something you should try in you are going here for the first time. You can pair this up with the slightly charred and cheesy Nashville Hot Chicken for quite the flavour profile. The spot is a Philadelphia favourite not just because of the legendary pizza but also because they involve themselves with the community.
Yards Brewing
500 Spring Garden St Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 525-0175
Craft beers in Philadelphia don’t get better than Yards Brewery. The brewery started out as a garage size venture but over years has grown into an award-winning business that has been thriving for more than 20 years. Their Extra Special Ale is some top-of-the-shelf beer in the world and their nine-year brews, limited edition and seasonal crafts make them one of the best breweries in all of Philadelphia.
2nd Story Brewing
117 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA 19106
(267) 314-5770
This craft beer brewery opened in 2014 and after the founders decided to try out another chapter of their lives. The founder, Wible was in IT before he decided to take his homebrewing hobby into a business by buying out an old brewery. Space offers a warm and welcoming vibe and their variety of beers will blow your tastebuds away. The Hefewible and Cobblestone are seasonal beers that you are absolutely going to love. They are also very affordable.
Love City Brewing
1023 Hamilton St Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 398-1900
The couple who own this brewery has poured every ounce of love into the beers they craft. Their location is uniquely located at a revamped warehouse that used to manufacture train parts. With a great look locked, they then go ahead to deliver some of the best craft beers in Philly. Their beers include the deep cut, Sylvie, gates of steel and more. They also feature an array of cocktails for those who like a mix of different flavors. If you want some bitings, there is a selection of pizzas, hamburgers, tacos and more from the food trucks outside.
This list of breweries offers quite a variety of beers thanks to their experiences and experiments. You need to visit at least one of these places when you visit Philly. As life slowly goes back to normal, you might want to check whether the brewery you want to visit has outdoor seating, take away or their general adherence to the covid rules. Stay safe as you enjoy the ultimate taste of Philadelphia.
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