Philly Beer Week returns in 2015 with epic events, tons of happy hours, tap takeovers, beer dinners and the Hammer of Glory relay race. (Photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia)
Are you ready to raise a pint? Philly Beer Week, the city's annual ode to our favorite fermented beverage, starts this Friday, May 29.
Home to dozens and dozens of craft breweries and named "the best beer-drinking city in America" by Esquire magazine, Philadelphia reigns as a brilliant beer town year round.
Once a year, though, Philly Beer Week amplifies this city's beer-fueled greatness. With hundreds (really, hundreds!) of events over the course of 10 days, it's tough to know just where to take your first sip.
The events kick off on Friday, May 29 with the Opening Tap celebration and tasting, and continue from there with brewer events, tap takeovers, beer dinners, block parties, games and competitions, beer gardens and so much more.
Below, we’ve rounded up our top picks of beer week events for every day of the festival, giving you a place to start for each day of the 10-day brew party.
We've poured through the Philly Beer Week events and below are our picks of sudsy highlights. These are the really big events not to miss, but there's lots more where this came from, too.
Visit the Philly Beer Week website for a full calendar of events and check back with us for more as the festival gets underway.
Cheers!
FRIDAY, MAY 29
Hammer of Glory Relay
Friday, May 29, 11 a.m.-noon | Pay as you go
The iron-clad symbol of Beer Week a big branded mallet called the Hammer of Glory makes its way around the city, from bar to bar, transported by everything from dog-pulled carts to a parade of pin-up girls. Trail the hammer around town to such bars as Johnny Brenda's, Standard Tap, Saint Benjamin, London Grill and more before it makes its way to Opening Tap at the 23rd Street Armory. MORE INFO
Opening Tap Celebration at 23rd Street Armory
Friday, May 29, 6-10 p.m. | Ticketed
This year, the huge Opening Tap kick-off party returns to the 23rd Street Armory on Friday, May 29. At 7 p.m., the doors open on the tasting celebration with more than 40 area brewers pouring for a crowd of thousands. Look out for limited edition brews, including the Philly Beer Week collaboration beer Leuven on a Prayer, brewed this year by Belgian brewers Brouwerij Hof ten Dormaal and local brewery Free Will. MORE INFO
Visit Philly Beer Garden Series at Spruce Street Harbor Park
Friday, May 29 and Friday, June 5, 5-8 p.m. | Pay as you go
The Visit Philly Beer Garden Series will take up residence at the awesome Spruce Street Harbor Park for both Fridays of Philly Beer Week. Come for the drink specials, stick around to see the revamped Spruce Street Harbor Park and the nearby roller-skating rink RiverRink Summerfest. MORE INFO
A photo posted by Uwishunu Philly (@uwishunu) on
May 30, 2014 at 6:10pm PDT
SATURDAY, MAY 30
International Great Beer Expo at The Navy Yard
Saturday, May 30, 1:30-5 p.m. (general admission) | Ticketed
The International Great Beer Expo brings 75 international brewers to pour more than 200 beers from 25 countries from underneath tents on the Marine Parade Grounds at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Proceeds benefit the Committee to Benefit the Children, and both VIP ($75+) and general admission ($46+) tickets are still available. MORE INFO
Pints and Pinups Block Party BBQ at Varga Bar
Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Pay as you go
Now in its sixth year, the Pints and Pinups Block Party takes over 10th Street at Spruce with a DJ, dunk tank, photo booth, games, barbecue and of course pints and pints of craft beer. And hey ladies, the block party also includes the bar's annual search for its calendar girls! MORE INFO
5th Annual Fried Chicken Run
Saturday, May 30, 5 p.m. start | Ticketed
On Saturday, a brisk jog with the Fishtown Beer Runners from Philadelphia Brewing Company to American Sardine Bar justifies an all-you-can-eat fried chicken dinner. Start the run (or cheer on the runners) at 5 p.m. in Fishtown, then relax with a huge chicken buffet in Graduate Hospital. Tickets are available online and include a t-shirt, three PBC brews and the fried chicken buffet. MORE INFO
Many more Philly Beer Week events, below.
Deschutes Street Pub in the Headhouse District
Saturday, May 30, noon-10 p.m. | Pay as you go
Deschutes Brewery will shut down the Headhouse District around 2nd and South streets to set up an epic Street Pub, complete with a 400-plus foot bar crafted from reclaimed wood and steel from Oregon. Look forward to rare Deschutes brews as well as food from The Twisted Tail, Alla Spina, Lo Spiedo and more. MORE INFO
Future Sensations Beer Garden at The Oval
May 30-June 6, daily hours | Pay as you go
Philadelphia is the only U.S. city to host Saint-Gobain's never-before-seen traveling exhibit Future Sensations, a high-concept, immersive experience featuring five distinct "ephemeral pavilions." Future Sensations will take over The Oval with five 20- to 30-ton pavilions that offer visitors a live digital experience merging 21st-century technology with imaginative arts. When done, visitors can grab a beer from the on-site beer garden as well as food from one of the nearby food trucks. MORE INFO
The Oval returns for one of two fall festivals this weekend, head to the pop-up park or its Outdoorsy Weekend complete with fire pits, s’mores, movie nights, games and more. (Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)
SUNDAY, MAY 31
East Passyunk Craft Beer Day
Sunday, May 31, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Pay as you go
One of Philly's hottest neighborhoods welcomes craft beer enthusiasts on May 31 for East Passyunk Craft Beer Day. Attendees can look forward to a 12-hour day of tastings, pairings, meet-the-brewer events and more at eight East Passyunk bars and restaurants: Birra, Le Virtu, Lucky 13, Stogie Joe's, Brigantessa, Bottle Shop, Noir, and POPE. MORE INFO
Throwdown in Franklintown
Sunday, May 31, 2-6 p.m. | Pay as you go
Now in its sixth year, the Throwdown in Franklintown at the Kite & Key pits Yards Brewing Company founder Tom Kehoe against Kite & Key's Jim Kirk in a battle royale. The two beer titans have fought as Sumo wrestlers, gladiators and more, bringing jolly entertainment to the Fairmount neighborhood. MORE INFO
The 5 O’clock Shave at Hotel Palomar
Sunday, May 31, 2-5 p.m. | Pay as you go
A tucked-away meeting space in the Hotel Palomar will be transformed into a pop-up pub with exclusive Barren Hill Brewery beer, bites from Square 1682 and more. Plus, men gentlemen attendees can be treated to for-charity straight razor shaves from The Duke Barber Co. Money raised goes to the 2015 Gary Papa Run. The event goes for round two at the Hotel Monaco on Tuesday, June 2. MORE INFO
A photo posted by Philly Beer Scene (@phillybeerscene) on
Jun 1, 2014 at 12:45pm PDT
MONDAY, JUNE 1
Beer Oyster Cult at Sancho Pistola’s
Monday, June 1, 7 p.m.-midnight | Pay as you go
Of the half dozen so-called "beer oyster cult" events during Philly Beer Week, the beer-oyster pairing event scheduled for Sancho Pistola's in Fishtown might just be the way to go for bivalve lovers. On Monday, June 1, not only will oyster specials pair with beer flights for $14, but the good Sancho has promised cowbell action ( la Blue yster Cult). MORE INFO
Vault at The Shambles at Headhouse Square Beer Garden
Monday, June 1, 4-8 p.m. | Pay as you go
The official Philly Beer Week Beer Garden at Headhouse Square kicks off on Tuesday (see below), but on Monday, Vault Brewing from Yardley, Pa. will warm up the space with sampling at the Shambles at Headhouse Square. MORE INFO
A photo posted by Laurie Satran (@lauriesatran) on
Jun 5, 2014 at 3:59pm PDT
TUESDAY, JUNE 2
Philly Beer Week Beer Garden at The Shambles at Headhouse Square
June 2-5, 5-9 p.m. | Pay as you go
Head to the historic Shambles at Headhouse Square nightly June 2-5 for the official Philly Beer Week Garden to enjoy special one-offs and rare brews alfresco, plus live tunes and food from South Street Headhouse District restaurants. Admission is free, with brews and bites on a pay-as-you-go basis. MORE INFO
German Beer Sparkle Party and Drag Cabaret Show at Alla Spina
Tuesday, June 2, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. | Ticketed
Raise a glass to Philly Beer Week and LGBT Pride month with an all-out bash showcasing Philadelphia’s own Martha Graham Cracker in a drag cabaret show. Come for the amazing selection of German beers and stay for the fabulous and hilarious full-length drag show. Doors open at 8 p.m. with tons of food and beer specials. Tickets are $15 in advance online and $20 at the door after 8:30 p.m. MORE INFO
Beers & Beards: The Great British Beard-Off at The Dandelion
Tuesday, June 2, 4-11 p.m. | Pay as you go
The Dandelion in Rittenhouse Square has goings-on nearly every day of Philly Beer Week, but on Tuesday, June 2, any facial hair aficionado should come out for a night of brilliant beards and happy hour beers with Wells and Young’s and the Philly Beard Society. Guys with impressive beards can enter to win prizes during the first Great British Beard-Off, with Jim Robertson, Head Brewer of Wells & Young’s Brewery, as judge. MORE INFO
The Dandelion, pictured above, serves up tons of Beer Week events, including a Beards and Beers party. (Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
Eastern State Penitentiary Tour with Stoudts Brewery
Wednesday, June 3, 5:30 p.m. | Ticketed
Sip on Stoudts Brewery's own Willie Sutton Lager while you tour the awesome Eastern State Penitentiary. Afterward, head down the block to London Grill for more Stoudts brews and bites from the restaurant's cafe menu bar. MORE INFO
Cage Matches at Alla Spina
June 2-4, 6:30-9 p.m. | Ticketed
Spring Garden's Alla Spina hosts four Cage Match events during Beer Week, challenging cooks from local restaurants like Osteria to craft a four-course meal, with each course highlighting a separate "secret" ingredient. Guest breweries (Victory, Yards, Sixpoint, etc.) are then tasked with pairing one of their beers with each course. Each event is $45 a person. MORE INFO
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
Terrapin Turtle Races at Drury Beer Garden
Thursday, June 4, 5-7 p.m. | Pay as you go
Yes, witness a race between tiny turtles at Opa’s Drury Beer Garden! Head out for beers from Atlanta’s Terrapin Brewery in cans and on draft, the chance to meet the brewery founder and an actual turtle race. MORE INFO
Battle RoyAle at Time
Thursday, June 4, 8-10 p.m. | Pay as you go
Ten Pennsylvania breweries including Sly Fox, Victory, Weyerbacher, Yards and more compete for bragging rights in TIME's Battle RoyALE. MORE INFO
Sip a frosty craft beer during the Visit Philly Beer Garden Series happy hour at Spruce Street Harbor Park during Philly Beer Week on Friday, May 29 or Friday, June 5. (Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia)
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
First Friday Beer & Ice Cream at Little Baby’s
Friday, June 5, 6-9 p.m. | Pay as you go
Beer and ice cream? Count us in. Little Baby’s Ice Cream and Saint Benjamin Brewing Company have joined forces for a First Friday party in Fishtown with a newly created Pepper Lavender Ice Cream that was inspired by Saint Benjamin’s Liason Saison. Head out for samples of beer and awesome ice cream — while supplies last. MORE INFO
Brew n History Tour at Christ Church
May 30-June 5, 5-8 p.m. | Ticketed
It's no secret the Founding Fathers enjoyed a good ale or two, so learn about the history of beer in Philadelphia and its connection to Benjamin Franklin, Francis Hopkinson, Benjamin Rush and more during the Brew n History Tour, held in the Christ Church Burial Ground. MORE INFO
Frankford Hall celebrates Philly Beer Week with a huge street festival: the Fishtown FestivAle! (Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
Fishtown FestivALE
Saturday, June 6, noon-9 p.m. | Pay as you go
Johnny Brenda's, Frankford Hall, Fette Sau, Bottle Bar East, La Colombe, Fishtown Tavern and more team up to bring beer lovers the fourth annual Fishtown FestivALE, an outdoor daylong beer carnival with cold beer, fine food, live music and more. This year’s festival is bigger and better than ever, with two stages, carnival games, a farmer's market from Greensgrow Farms and multiple art vendors. Cheers! MORE INFO
The Great Philadelphia Craft Beer Crawl
Saturday, June 6, noon-6 p.m. | Ticketed
In what might just be a new Beer Week tradition, The Great Philadelphia Craft Beer Crawl hits the Fairmount neighborhood on Saturday, June 6 with a bar hop to 13 bars and restaurants. For a $20 ticket, participants get beer samples, drink specials, snacks and more. MORE INFO
Celebrate Philly Beer Week at Dock Street Brewery with (Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia)
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
Dock Street’s 7th Annual Free Music Fest & Scavenger Run
Sunday, June 7, 4-8 p.m. | Pay as you go
Finish out the 10-day beer bash with a final daylong music festival. The seventh annual Dock Street Free Music Fest draws crowds to West Philadelphia with free live music all afternoon, plenty of Dock Street brews, delicious pizza and a scavenger run. The live music lineup includes Honey Radar, Pushin It 2 the Limit, Rosemary Fiki and more. To participate in the run, tickets are $25 and include the run, a beer and a cool T-shirt. MORE INFO
Pinewood Derby & Bike Races with Yards Brewing Company
Sunday, June 7, noon | Pay as you go
Coinciding with the annual Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic, Old Eagle Tavern and Yards Brewing Company get in on the racing action. After cheering on the cyclists during the race, the folks from Yards host an amateur-friendly pinewood derby. MORE INFO
Philly Beer Week 2015
When: May 29-June 7
Where: Locations throughout the region
Cost: Varies by event
More info: www.phillybeerweek.org
A photo posted by @draughtlinesmag on
May 18, 2015 at 8:19pm PDT