Press Release

BACKGROUNDER
America’s Greatest Brewing City Reclaims Its Sudsy Heritage

PHILADELPHIA, February 1, 2008 - One hundred years ago, Philadelphia was known as the greatest brewing city in the Western Hemisphere. Today, area microbreweries are reclaiming the region’s reputation by brewing some of the world’s best beer. Visitors can tour the facilities and sample the beer at most of these spots, and increasingly, local pubs are specializing in serving locally made brews.

Johnny Brenda's

Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

In the mid-19^th through the early 20^th centuries, more than 90 breweries operated in Philadelphia proper, and another 100 more operated in the city’s environs. One northwestern region of Philly, located on the banks of the Schuylkill River, near the Girard Avenue Bridge, became known as “Brewerytown.” As Brewerytown grew, area producers of German-style beers and American lagers expanded into the nearby Kensington and Fishtown neighborhoods, and beyond.

The brewery boom came to an end in 1920, when Prohibition brought on the decline—and near demise—of virtually all of Philadelphia’s beer producers, the majority of which remained shuttered beyond the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.

But 60 years later, the Philadelphia region began reestablishing itself as a force in beer making. Throughout the city—from Kensington to Manayunk—and beyond—from Lafayette Hill to Phoenixville —independently owned breweries and brew pubs were handcrafting flavorful ales, lagers, stouts and meads that had all but disappeared from America’s beerscape.

Today, the Philadelphia area is once again considered one of the nation’s pre-eminent beer cities. Local and international beer festivals fill the calendar, like the first Philly Beer Week, to be held March 7-16, 2008. Hosted by Philly’s resident beer journalist, “Joe Sixpack,” the week-long extravaganza will include a tutored tasting, a cask ale festival, a tribute dinner and nightly events at area restaurants. In addition, Philadelphia—already home to several microbreweries that regularly bring home medals from international beer festivals and competitions—is bubbling over with new locations where beer lovers can sample local brews. Here’s a look at where it all happens:

Breweries And Restaurants:

Dock Street Brewery and Restaurant: This newest of brewpubs opened in late August in an historic firehouse at the edge of University City. Rosemarie Certo, who owns the 20-year-old beer company, serves exclusively her own beers—six on tap at any given time. Alongside Certo’s more traditional award-winning brews are alternative and experimental styles such as double and triple bocks, fruit beers and IPAs. The restaurant also offers Pennsylvania wines and a wide selection of organic and locally grown foods. 701 S. 50^th Street, (215) 726-2337, www.dockstreetbeer.com
General Lafayette Inn & Brewery: Frequented by a certain young French general during the Revolutionary War, this Montgomery County inn celebrates its 275^th anniversary this year. Housed in a popular brewery and restaurant that prides itself on using fresh, local ingredients, brewmaster Christopher Leonard creates international-style brews such as Raspberry Mead-Ale and Pacific Pale Ale. 646 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill, (610) 941-0600, www.generallafayetteinn.com
Iron Hill Brewery: The East Coast’s fastest growing group of brewpubs now boasts seven locations, with the newest in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. Born in Newark, Delaware in 1996, this restaurant/brewery makes news every year by receiving gold, silver and bronze medals for beers like its Belgian Strong, Wee Heavy, Ironbound Ale, and Krick de Hill. 130 N. Bridge Street, Phoenixville, (610) 983-9333; 3 W. Gay Street, West Chester, (610) 738-9600; 30 E. State Street, Media, (610) 627-9000; 1460 Bethlehem Pike, North Wales, (267) 708-2000, www.ironhillbrewery.com
Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant: This canal-side destination is constantly updating its beer selections, which diners can sample from its ever-rotating choice of seven served on tap at any one time. Diners can wash down entrees from burgers to ahi tuna with beers that range from the fruity Schuylkill Punch, a Belgian ale brewed with 500 pounds of blackberries and raspberries, to Poblano Porter, an English-style porter spiced with fresh poblano peppers. 4120 Main Street, (215) 482-8220, www.manayunkbrewery.com
McKenzie Brew House: McKenzie’s second location is up and pumping on the upper Main Line, following the path of the original Chadds Ford brew pub, which continues its tradition of serving up its very own Wicked Will’s Pale Ale, Black Lab Stout, Unicorn Amber and Shane’s Gold. Route 202, Chadds Ford, (610) 361-9800; 240 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern, (610) 296-2222, www.mckenziebrewhouse.com
Nodding Head Brewery and Restaurant: In the heart of Center City, this cozy upstairs hideaway has won more beer competition awards than it can hang on its walls. Beers here are brewed seasonally and in view of the patrons. Among Nodding Head’s dozens of styles: Grog, BoHo Pils, Golden Ale and Son of Swami, all of which compliment the kitchen’s burgers and Belgian-style mussels. 1516 Sansom Street, 2^nd floor, (215) 569-9525, www.noddinghead.com
Sly Fox Beer: Famed for its bock and ice bock brews, this 13-year-old Chester County brewer is expanding distribution at a jaw-dropping pace. In 2006, Sly Fox began packaging its product in cans and large bottles and is making it available outside the Philadelphia area for the first time. Fans can always drink it fresh at two Sly Fox pubs in Phoenixville and Royersford. Head brewer Brian O’Reilly has won gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival for his Pikeland Pils. Pikeland Village Square, 519 Kimberton Road, Phoenixville, (610) 935-4540; 312 N. Lewis Road, Royersford, (610) 948-8088, www.slyfoxbeer.com
Triumph Brewery: With great food and an industrial and modern design, the huge new Old City outpost of New Hope-based Triumph Brewery is creating a foamy splash on the block. Beer enthusiasts can easily forget that they are inside of a brewery—until they taste the rich ales, lagers, stouts and seasonal specialties. Whether replicating the classic styles of the Old World or creating beers that are new and unique, the brewers hold themselves to the highest standards of quality and purity. Triumph features eight varieties of beer on tap, each boasting a distinctive flavor. Tours of the downtown brewery are offered to the public on Saturdays and by appointment. 117 Chestnut Street, (215) 625-0855; 400 Union Square, New Hope, (215) 862-8300; www.triumphbrewing.com
Victory Brewing Company: The German-trained brewers at this Chester County producer have doubled their production capacity by adding eight 6,200 gallon fermentation tanks. They’ll continue to make 20 beer styles, ship to 23 states and win dozens of awards, such as the silver medal for their Golden Monkey Tripel in the 2004 International Beer Competition in London. The brewery includes a full-service restaurant—and an exclusive selection of Victory brews on tap. The also offer free tours Fridays and Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. 420 Acorn Lane, Downingtown, (610) 873-0881, www.victorybeer.com

All About The Beer:

Philadelphia Brewing Company: Two former part-owners of Yards Brewing Company are getting ready to start a brand new operation in the 40,000 square-foot brewery that once housed Yards. They’ll debut four mainstay beers in bottles and draft by mid-February. In the line-up: Kenzinger, a crisp and smooth golden ale; Newbold IPA, a substantial beer with high hops levels; Rowhouse Red, a French farmhouse ale; and Walt Wit, an unfiltered Belgian White-style ale. 2439 Amber Street, (215) 427-BREW, www.philadelphiabrewing.com
Yards Brewing Company: The Yards brand itself has moved to new headquarters. Although the new facility is just starting to brew, co-founder Tom Kehoe promises that Yards ever-popular and award-winning beers will retain the tasty characteristics that beer aficionados have come to love. Plus, once fully functioning in its new location, Yards plans to expand production and distribution, launch several new beers, re-release some old favorites and increase tours and tastings. 901 N. Delaware Avenue, (215) 634-2600, www.yardsbrewing.com

Local Beer Devotees:

Johnny Brenda’s: This revived watering hole in Fishtown is the northern outpost of the popular Standard Tap, a neighborhood spot made over to comply with a locals-only beer policy (see below). Johnny Brenda’s has recently opened a second-floor live rock music venue that seats 300 but retains its recognizable chalkboard menu full of items like swordfish kebabs, sausage sandwiches and shoestring fries. Frankford & Girard Avenues, (215) 739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com
London Grill: This upscale neighborhood restaurant and bar in the city’s Fairmount section serves hand-pumped microbrews, plus Stoudts-brewed Willie Sutton Lager, named after an infamous former resident of the neighboring Eastern State Penitentiary. 2301 Fairmount Avenue, (215) 978-4545, www.londongrill.com
McGillin’s Old Ale House: In the shadow of City Hall, this 145-year-old tavern—Philly’s longest operating “publick house”—gets its signature Genuine Lager and Real Ale from Stoudt’s Brewing Company in Adamstown, Pennsylvania. McGillin’s serves more Stoudt’s draft beers than any other tavern in Pennsylvania. 1310 Drury Street, (215) 735-5562, www.mcgillins.com
Standard Tap: The first pub to latch on hard to Philly’s craft-brewing upswing, this Northern Liberties neighborhood spot has done nothing but grow since it opened its doors. Standard’s menu—fried smelts, chicken pies, hanger steaks and fries—is written daily on hanging chalkboards and coordinates perfectly with its selection of exclusively local brews from Yards (Philadelphia), Victory (Downingtown, Pennsylvania), Flying Fish (Cherry Hill, New Jersey), Tröegs (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), Stoudt’s (Lancaster County), Lancaster Brewing Company (Lancaster County), Dogfish Head (Rehoboth Beach, Delaware), Sly Fox (Phoenixville and Royersford, Pennsylvania), Legacy Brewing (Reading, Pennsylvania), Riverhorse (Lambertville, New Jersey) and Appalachian (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania). 901 N. 2^nd Street, (215) 238-0630, www.standardtap.com

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery.

CONTACT:

Cara Schneider, GPTMC
(215) 599-0789, cara@gptmc.com

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