Philly-Area Breweries
Recently I praised Philadelphia for being America's new brewing capital. And despite flack from a few Portlanders, I stand by my claim. Portland's got more breweries, but at least in my experience, which I admit is probably limited, Philly's tend to be better. I really want to like Rogue for helping push American craft brewing forward and all that, and for naming a beer "Dead Guy", but that stuff's like carbonated sugar water compared to Weyerbacher, Stoudt's and Sly Fox. So while we sit back and watch the Democratic party eat itself alive campaigning for Pennsylvania, the only way to make it through this grueling nomination process is by drinking. Hence the following guide to craft breweries in and around Philly offering tours and/or pub service. And I know there's more out there, so let us know in the comments or via the tipline.
Yard's Brewing Company
2439 Amber St
Philadelphia, PA 19125
Yard's was started by "two cash-strapped collegiate wrestlers" in 1988 and now produces a strong line-up of craft brews. Brewery tours will begin once Yard's new Delaware … Ave. location is fully renovated. [link]
Philadelphia Brewing Company
2439 Amber St
Philadelphia, PA 19125
One of the few breweries actually in Philadelphia proper, PB Co sits in the old Weisbrod & Hess Oriental Brewing Company buildings from 1885. They don't offer a … formal tour that I know of, but they do sponsor events all over town where their beer is served. Check their Web site for details. [link]
Troeg's Brewing Company
800 Paxton St
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Chris and John Trogner's Central PA brewery makes nine different outstanding craft beers. Brewery Tours and tastings are free every Sat. at 2 p.m. [link]
Sly Fox
312 N Lewis Rd
Royersford, PA 19468
Sly Fox opened its first of two locations in 1995 when Pete Giannopoulos realized that being in corporate sales sucked hard. Now he makes some of the finest beers in the … US, including an impressive roster of IPAs, which are available at SF's two brewpubs. [link]
Stoudt's
2800 N Reading Rd
Adamstown, PA 19501
In 1987, Ed and Carol Stoudt not only founded one of Pennsylvania's first microbreweries, but also a restaurant, bakery, and one of the East Coast's largest antique … shops. They've even gone so far as to erect an entire mini-town called Soudtburg Village, where you can buy jewelry, flowers and robots. Tours are Saturday at 3:00 pm and Sunday at 1:00 pm. [link]
Victory Brewing Company
420 Acorn Ln
Downingtown, PA 19335
Founded in 1996 in an old Pepperidge Farm factory, Victory is best known for their Prima Pils (an extra hoppy pilsner) and their Hop Devil -- a powerful IPA with balanced … malts and a giant hop bud on the label that my wife thinks is an artichoke. Brewery tours are available on Fridays and Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. [link]
Dogfish Head Brewery
424 Chestnut St
Milton, DE 19968
Arguably the most inventive brewery in the US, Dogfish Head pushes the limits of American brewing with ingredients like Belgian beet sugars, white Muscat grapes, and … saffron. Not to mention their 120 Minute IPA, which at 20% ABV (or four glasses of White Zin in mom-equivalents), earns it the title "biggest IPA ever brewed." DH offers brewery tours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 3:00 pm, and also on Saturdays during the summertime. [link]
