15 breweries to visit on your first trip to Philadelphia (2023)

It all has a long history, namely Philadelphia. During the 19th century, the Philadelphia area developed into a center for brewing. At its peak, Philadelphia had more than 90 operating breweries. Philadelphians spent many decades drunk and merry until Prohibition shut down the industry. It took Philadelphia breweries decades to recover after the constitution was changed to allow alcohol again.

In 1985, Dock Street Brewery opened and Philadelphia received its first craft brewery since Prohibition. Over time, the number of breweries in Philadelphia grew, as did the number of breweries in the United States. Today, Philadelphia's craft beer scene is one of the most diverse and exciting in the country, not to mention somebest Restaurantsalso in the country. There is a stunning variety of breweries and brewery styles in Philadelphia, from classic lagers to the latest innovations in the craft beer scene. The company stays true to its roots in nearby Yuengling - America's oldest operating brewery - as it expands its mom and pop menu seemingly every week.

Here are 15 of the city's best breweries to get you started on a true craft beer tasting experience in Philadelphia. Consider this list a starting point, a look at the breweries of Philadelphia - and when you're done exploring those breweries, we suggest you check them out tooRead terminal market, Unpleasant. When you get here, you need a place to stay - a day trip just isn't enough to explore Philadelphia's breweries or the city in general - so check out these summariesbeste hotels in PhillyInPhilly AirbnbWhile you're at it.

1. Wissahickon Brewery

Just outside of downtown, Philly is getting a little greener, a little quieter, and much more in line with trends. The relaxed, friendly people at Wissahickon Brewery fit the bill perfectly. On weekends, the space is packed not only with groups of heavy beer drinkers, but also with their babies, parents and pets. It's a welcoming brewery to visit alone and leave with a group of new friends.

The cozy atmosphere here is a big part of how Wissahickon works. The brewery is family run and community oriented. There are weekly events such as yoga and quizzes that aim to bring people together, and the random arrangement of tables and benches encourages group formation. A giant projection screen rolls down for big games, and of course Wissahickon offers a nice rotating selection of designs and brings a food truck to feed the crowd. Well worth a visit after a walk in nearby Wissahickon Park, even if you pass by with a dirty dog, an angry child or both.

Wo: 3705 W School House Ln, Philadelphia, PA 19129

2. Manayunk-brouwerij

Manayunk Brewerybrews no fewer than 600 beers in small batches. Located on the Schuylkill River, Manayunk is also one of the largest outdoor dining areas of any of the city's breweries. The restaurant serves pizza and sushi, and when the weather warms up, the brewery even offers kayaking trips on the river.

Wo: 4120 Main St., Philadelphia, PA 19127

3. Triple bottom brewing

Brew Triple Bottomcombines beer with a social mission: the Certified B Corp brewery is also a member of Crafted for All, an organization that supports breweries in implementing inclusive and fair trade practices. In fact, the name refers to the "triple bottom line": beer, people and planet. Triple Bottom brews a variety of beers, from cloudy IPAs to juicy pale ales to crisp pilsners.

Wo: 915 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia, PA 19123

4. Philadelphia Brewery

Philadelphia breweryspecializes in about a dozen different styles of lagers and ales that claim to represent a fusion between old-fashioned beers and modern brewing techniques. This brewery is also the oldest and largest of its kind in Philadelphia. And it invests in its community: In the past, the brewery has raised thousands of dollars for local causes, including animal welfare.

Wo: 2440 Frankford Avenue Philadelphia, PA, 19125

5. Quelle Urban Brewery

Located in the Fishtown neighborhood,Quelle Urban Breweryserves extensive snacks such as ice cream sundaes and charcuterie boards. Beers include a peachy Belgian wheat ale and a sour IPA with blackberries and raspberries.

Wo: 1101 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

6. Dock Street Brewery

Philly may be one of the best beer cities in the country, but it wasn't always that way. Places like Dock Street Brewery, the first microbrewery to open its doors in 1985, have made it what it is today. Here's the brewing experience.

Its original West Philly location is on the first floor of a fire station, but Dock Street has seen better days. It has since expanded into the space next door with Dock Street Cannery and Tasting Lounge, a hip new craft cocktail bar serving imaginative food. A new location recently opened in the Point Breeze neighborhood. Both brewery locations offer great beers for as little as $3.50 during happy hour.

Where: Original location at 701 S 50th St, Philadelphia, PA 19143 and Point Breeze location at 2118 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146

7. Second District Brewery

The area around Passyunk Avenue in South Philly has become one of the best places to eat and drink in the city. This is where the young chefs go and open restaurants, quickly gaining cult status with things like reinterpretations of bao buns or expertly prepared interpretations of the classic Jewish bakery. Some people also brew very good beer here.

Enter the Second District Brewpub. The Second District has the industrial-style interiors found in many of the country's breweries, while somehow maintaining a cozier atmosphere. It's the kind of place you go for a beer and stay for seven (ideally at a lower rate through the night). It doesn't hurt that Second District also has a great menu, part of which is vegan and vegetarian.

Wo: 1939 S Bancroft St, Philadelphia, PA 19145

8. Victory Brewery Philadelphia

OfVictory Breweryis sprawling: Located on the historic 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway site, there are two indoor bars, an outdoor bar, street-level outdoor seating, and a rooftop terrace. The brewery serves its own beer line and sister brands Southern Tier Brewing Company, Sixpoint Brewing Company and Bold Rock Hard Cider. When it comes to food, you'll find pub-style classics here, from giant pretzels to luscious French fries.

Wo: 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA 19103

9. Mainstay independent brewery company

Located in the Craft Hall,Main independent breweryoffers a range of beers from a flavorful Hefe-Wiezen to a "dangerously drinkable" dry-hopped Extra Pale Ale. With quieter lounge areas, a children's play area and livelier open seating, Craft Hall serves beer from Mainstay Independent and food from Lost Bread Company.

Wo: 901 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19123

10. Yards Brewery

Yards is the brewery that even the mildest of beer nerds have probably heard of. This is certainly not a microbrewery, but that doesn't change the fact that Yards makes some pretty good beer. Yards is the largest brewery in Philadelphia and was founded in 1994 by homebrewers in a city garage. She has earned the respect of the locals by choosing to stay within the city limits, given her success she could easily have moved to a larger location somewhere in the suburbs.

The recent expansion of the brewery has brought the brewery to a huge hall in the middle of Northern Liberties. The interior is a huge, open space with long communal tables, making it an ideal brewery to visit with a large group. It has the atmosphere of a German beer garden, but offers an upscale menu. Expensive food aside, this is a party place. The evenings are fun and noisy, probably the result of happy customers consuming large batches of the latest beers. If you're more interested in history and science, Yards also offers tours twice a day for $10 per person.

Wo: 500 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

11. Love City Brewery

The story of Love City Brewery is, perhaps unsurprisingly, a love story. Owners Kevin and Melissa started brewing together before they got married and then continued to brew together at their own brewery. This is the right place to take your friends who still think Philly is lame. The newly opened 6,000-square-foot brewpub is equipped with all the Insta-worthy decor for your millennial friends to hang out with. Ask the bartender to pour one of the unpretentious beers into a glass, place it next to the small potted cactus, use the blue-tiled bar as a backdrop, and voila, you're an influencer.

However, this does not detract from the delicious beer. The classic Love City lager is one of the most popular beers served in Philly. It can be found at many tap points around the city, but none of these bars can boast of serving it within 30 meters of where it was made.

Wo: 1023 Hamilton St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

12. Evil Genius Beer Company

Evil Genius has a cult of sorts. It is a place for connoisseurs and worth getting to know. The best beers at Evil Genius are fun and edgy, with hints of hops and hints of citrus, spice or floral. Working your way through the extensive, changing beer list is an adventure in itself. The first sip is usually a little surprise, maybe even a shock, but it arouses curiosity. So you take another and another and before you know it you've completed this exciting journey to an empty glass. Then repeat.

Located in the heart of Fishtown, the space is a fairly standard brewpub that is charming in its own right. The real summer hangout is the hidden outdoor area with the scattered tables illuminated by the soft glow of the overhead Christmas lights.

Wo: 1727 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122

13. Brewery for crime and punishment

Brewery for Crime and Punishmentis inspired by Russia, from the labels to the food served in the brewpub. The brewery also has close ties to the Brewerytown neighborhood - sometimes sponsoring minor league teams or hosting local art shows.

Wo: 2711 W Girard Ave Philadelphia, PA 19130

14. Separatistisch South Philly

The pinnacle ofSeparatist South Phily is the so-called blending house, where the brewers practice what they call "rustic brewing". Here they make spontaneously fermented beers, partly with ingredients they collect themselves. Separatist beers are traditionally brewed with Czech hops or aged in French oak.

Wo: 1646 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

15. Chestnut Hill Brewery

There are two functionsChestnut Hill Brewing Company: The first is the outdoor beer garden at Market at the Fareway in Germantown. The beer garden is both family and dog friendly and offers snacks from both the brewery and outside vendors. The other is the Chestnut Hill Brewing Company taproom, which serves vegan pub grub, wine, and cocktails in addition to Chestnut Hill beer.

Wo: 8221 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118