| The
Quest for the Holy Grain - Best Beer Bars |
| Philadelphia |
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For the rest of Pennsylvania, please see our Pennsylvania page.
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East Girard Gastropub 'Twas a rainy, windy night on the east edge of Philly. We could not find the East Girard Gastropub as the exterior sported no signage. But when we did enter, it was worth the search.
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HeadHouse Cafe We visited HeadHouse on a rainy, windy night in its location on a quaint section of Lombard St. We'll have to come back for some sushi, and of course, more beer. |
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Kraftwork Kraftwork has an ambitious list of 25 taps with some very unusual hard-to-find beers. The 25 on-deck beers were also listed. The interior space is a visual celebration of art, industry, and the elements of design. Huge augurs, wrenches, and blades pay homage to the combination of style and function. The walls are exposed brick, and the several TV's and background jazz were non-invasive. The U-shaped bar seats at least 20 persons; picnic style as well as 2-person tables must accomodate about 40 more. We were very pleased with our food and beer choices. Add Kraftwork to your Fishtown pub list. |
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Prohibition Tap Room Prohibition Tap Room is a little gem of a bar in Philly's Callowhill area. The interior is comfortably dark, and the interesting penninsular bar seats many in a small area, with tables filling the remaining space. The overall atmosphere was laid-back, friendly and unassuming. |
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Resurrection Ale House The Resurrection Ale House in Philly's Grays Ferry region is a cozy, attractively appointed neighborhood bar and restaurant. The bi-level bar features 12 taps plus a hand engine. Forty-some bottles are also offered. Draft selections are listed on a chalkboard above the upper bar. There is seating for maybe 15-20 at the bar, with a number of chairs and tables. There is lots of wood and glass, making the place feel larger than it is. Sean, our bartender, was very helpful and eager to supply information about the beer or bar in general. This is a place to visit more than once. |
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Hawthorne's Hawthorne's is located in the Bella Vista section of Philadelphia, about a half-block from Bella Vista Distributor. Rather than a bar or a restaurant, it appears to have a split personality: part beer store and part elegant lunch room. With refigerator cases lining the walls, and a modern, eclectic menu, Hawthorne's suceeds in fulfilling both the gourmand and the beer connoisseur. Our food was delicious, but their website can tell you more about their menu than I ever could. Let's get to the beer. Patrons help themselves to any of the hundreds of beers in the coolers, and all the styles are generously represented. They have 15 drafts, but so far can only fill growlers. The growler-filling system is state of the art, and I heard there is a 9-month guarantee on the freshness of the beers therein. Hawthorne's is fun and different, the beer is great, and the trip worth while. |
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Brauhaus Schmitz We've got enough Irish Bars, English Pubs, and Belgian Cafes...every beerdrinking town needs a German bier hall. Brauhaus Schmitz is traditional-modern and has all the German bases covered. There are 20 taps and most rotate...all are Germanic in style. The bar seats maybe 15, with about 10 tables downstairs and more on the second level. The Reinheitsgebot hangs illuminated on the wall. If you like German bier better, and wurst best, Brauhaus Schmitz is definitely a place to visit. If it is not a slice of Bavaria in the land of cheesesteaks, then it was close enough to fool me. |
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Pub On Passyunk East As can be seen from the exterior visage, POPE is an unpretentious, neighborhood, corner bar in South Philly. Inside, it is dark, comfortable, and friendly. The bar seats about 20, and there are tables in the ultra-private back reaches of the establishment. There is also some outdoor seating. Beer is what they are about here, with 14 taps and about 100 bottles. The draft list included Bell's, Stone, and the elusive Pliny the Elder from Russian River. Our barman was friendly and informative. |
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Jose Pistola's Well, we finally got to Jose Pistola's and all the great things we had heard about it were true. An extremely relaxed atmosphere, great Mexican food, and an outstanding beer selection made it an intensely enjoyable visit. Our bartender Casey was a valuable asset in answering any questions we had about beer, food, or anything else. The crowd was mostly young, mellow, and friendly. The 12 drafts were well-selected and cared for, and about 70 bottles were available. Beers from the Sixpoint Brewery had just reached Philly, and my Otis Stout was delicious. There are several other great bars within walking distance makes Pistola's a Questor haven.
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The Institute You probably wouldn't stumble across The Institute, but it's a beer venue worth finding. Situated a little east of the longer-established Green St. watering holes, The Institute offers 16 well-chosen drafts. The whole place was re-habbed by owners Charlie and Heather Collazo, and features a corner bar and tables downstairs, and booths, each containing a flat screen TV, on the upper level. There is also another bar, and DJ stand upstairs. And Charlie isn't finished. At the time of our visit, he was working on a 24-tap draft system to go in a new bar. The draft lines will run through 24 identical tap handles of galvanized pipe, of Charlie's own design. The Institute is a friendly tavern that seems poised to serve a neighborhood on the upswing for years to come. |
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Beneluxx Tasting Room Beneluxx Tasting Room is an extension of Eulogy Belgian Tavern, which lies only about two blocks east. Beneluxx boasts the most Trappist ales on tap anywhere in the world. Their total taps number about 35, with about 50 brands in bottles. The innovative twist is that the drafts can be purchased by the glass, or by a sample of several ounces, arriving either in a small snifter or Ehrlenmeyer flask. Beneluxx also excels in pairing cheeses and beers. Never has a Two-Hearted IPA tasted so good as it did with a farmhouse cheddar. The staff was more than attentive, and glad to make suggestions or offer explanations. In a town full of Belgians, this has to be one of the best venues in which to taste them. |
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Irish Pol The name did not appear anywhere on the outside. It used to be known as Yeager's and St. Jack's. But it was the sign for 40 taps that drew us in, and Irish Pol was as good as advertised. The 40 drafts ranged from Pabst Blue Ribbon to Blanche de Bruxelles, and Jason, the barkeep, was helpful with the choices. The place seemed authentic and local, from the ancient wood floors to the copper-top bar. Irish Pol features a happy hour 7 days a week, with all drafts $2.00 at the appropriate times. If you're in this neighborhood which is great for bar-hopping, Irish Pol is a necessary stop. |
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Memphis Taproom Located at the corner of Memphis and Cumberland Streets in a neighborhood referred to as Fishington, the Memphis Taproom is a stellar destination for great beer and fine food. Good word spreads fast. Several hours before our visit, the Chesapeake Chapter of the Society for the Preservation of Beers in the Wood (SPBW) stopped by on their bus tour in search of fine cask ales. They were not disappointed. Memphis offers 11 taps and about 45 bottles, and the choices are diligently thought out. They cover all the bases, including the best of the various brewing styles. Brendan the proprietor and his staff were helpful in explaining beer choices and general philosophy. I shall return. |
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Johnny Brenda's It doesn't look like much from the outside, but Johnny Brenda's has real neighborhood character. From the linoleum floor up to the tin ceiling, Brenda's appears to be a local hangout and popular music venue. And being a partner of Standard Tap in nearby Northern Liberties, it is a great tavern for beer. Brenda's offers 14 taps...all regionals...no bottles. It was a quiet and friendly hangout on a Saturday afternoon, but we were warned that it would be mobbed later. Johnny Brenda's is certainly worth a stop on the Questor's itinerary. |
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Devil's Den Devil's Den sits on 11th street, just below Washington Avenue in South Philly, another cog in the burgeoning beer scene in this area. Everything in the Den looks new and clean, yet the place has a genuine neighborhood aura. The long mahogany bar seats about 20, and there are several dining areas with numerous tables. The 16 taps are brimming with diversity, offering Belgians, Germans, and micros. A thirsty Questor can also choose from about 130 bottles. Erin, the proprietor, explained how she had just tapped her first firkin and was considering making this a regular activity. Although our visit was on a Saturday morning, Devil's Den would be a great place to hang out any evening, and on a return trip we will do just that.
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The Belgian Cafe The Belgian Cafe in the Fairmount neighborhood is an offshoot of Monk's, which means there is going to be lots of good beer, slanted heavily to Belgian. Hence the name. Belgian Cafe offers 12 taps and about 250 bottles of micros and imports. Naturally, the selection is diverse, and the barkeep was extremely helpful in aiding with our selections. The bar is dark, and the dining area brighter, being festooned with nudes. Food was good and prices were reasonable. |
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Race Street Cafe On the north edge of Old City, in the shadow of the Ben Franklin bridge, can be found Race St. Cafe. It's small, with exposed brick and wood beams, and an L-shaped bar offering 12 well-chosen taps. |
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The Abbaye
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Grace Tavern South of Center City and not far from the Schuylkill River , Grace Tavern is a neighborhood establishment that offers good beer. There were 10 taps, and maybe another 30 in the “Bevador.” Leo, our bartender, server, and host was humorous, professional, and able to perform many jobs on a Saturday night with nary a misstep. |
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South Philadelphia Taproom Located in a residential neighborhood in South Philly, SPTR was a pleasant surprise. They have 10 taps, most of which rotate and about 80 different bottles. The taps are locally flavored. Patrons like Pedro were friendly and anxious to help with the Quest. Tom & English Dave, our bartenders, were friendly, knowledgeable, and generous with the samples. SPTR is off the tourist track yet not that hard to find. Do so.
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McGillin's Old Ale House Large, bustling, and friendly, McGillin's is Philly's oldest bar, having been in operation since 1860. Luminaries, from Tennessee Williams to Robin Williams, have passed through their portals, and for the same reason...to quench their thirst. And this is quite easy to do at McGillin's. They feature 23 taps with many local beers and ales, kept fresh in a state-of-the-art tap system. The place was jumping on a Wednesday night, but Chuck and Kate took the time to explain to this Questor the story of McGillin's. Their hospitality suggests a return trip, and more time spent at McGillin's Old Ale House. |
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The Grey Lodge Pub "We are not the typical Northeast Philly bar, but then again we aren't the typical anything." This according to Scoats, (far right) the genius behind The Grey Lodge Pub. Grey Lodge is an unassuming neighborhood establishment that has been declared one of the top 50 beer bars in the U.S. They have 10 taps with a local flavor, which constantly rotate. About 40 different bottles for those who aren't in the mood for a draft. We found the crowd extremely friendly and Scoats and his staff very helpful. When you go, make sure to check out the bathrooms...both of them! The hand-crafted mosaic tilework, illuminating many famous beer quotes, is alone worth the drive to Northeast Philly. |
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Dawson Street Pub Dawson Street Pub is up the hill and across the tracks from Manayunk's artsy Main Street. They offer 12 draft beers, and three more hand engines. There is also an extensive, well-chosen selection of about 85 bottles to choose from. It is a very unpretentious neighborhood bar that nevertheless draws beer lovers both local and from afar. Dawson Street features a lounge, patio, pool table, and live music. The next time you are in Manayunk, depart the hubub of Main Street and ask for good directions to the Dawson Street Pub. |
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Monk's Cafe In Philadelphia, indeed, on the East Coast, when beer drinkers are talking of Belgian beers, the name Monk's will always surface. Monk's offers an incredible selection of beers from the world's breweries, with emphasis on the Belgians. |
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Standard Tap Standard Tap, located in the Northern Liberties neighborhood, has done what I wish more bars had the fortitude to do...serve all local drafts all the time. No imports, no macros, no bottles. It works. ST has about 20 taps which may include products from such regional brewers as Yards, Victory, Flying Fish, Dogfish Head, Stoudt's, Troeg's, and others. There are also 2 hand engines. The beer is fresh and the staff knows what they are about. The locale is out of the tourist mainstream, but the neighborhood has other neat bars close by. Don't miss it. |
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The Khyber Pass Pub 56 S. Second St, Philadelphia The Khyber offers a selection of 20 microbrews, many of which are from the area, 2 hand engines, and about 30 or so bottles. These selections seem well-thought out, and the drafts well-cared for, making this venue a legitimate Beer Bar. The Khyber used to be known for its live music...now it's a place to grab a few good beers and select from their menu of Southern-style food. |
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Eulogy Belgian Tavern 136 Chestnut Street Philadelphia has a few great Belgian pubs, and this is certainly one of them. Located three blocks from the Liberty Bell, and near the waterfront, Eulogy is a beer-lovers mecca, featuring about 18 taps, mostly Belgian. Augmenting this auspicious array are over 200 bottles from all over the world. Chris, our server, was extremely helpful. Upstairs features another more intimate bar and dining area. Ask to see the beer menu...you'll never get through it all.
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