Events

The second-annual Philly Beer Week (PBW), which celebrates the city’s vibrant beer culture, will take place from Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 15, 2009. Co-chairs Don Russell (a.k.a. Daily News columnist Joe Sixpack), Monk’s Cafe Owner Tom Peters and Bruce Nichols, president of Museum Catering Company, are again at the helm of this sprawling series of exciting events. The 10-day event is poised to build on last year’s attendance, conservatively estimated at 15,000 people who attended more than 100 events

“Philadelphia is, without a doubt, the best beer-drinking city in America,” says noted author Russell. “It’s so exciting to finally be able to embrace this important part of our regional culture in such a diverse, fun-filled way. Everyone, from amateur drinkers to advanced home-brewers, will find something to interest them during Philly Beer Week.”

The over-the-top 2009 line-up will include Dock Street Brewing Company, Dogfish Head Brewery, Flying Fish Brewing Company, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Lancaster Brewing Company, Nodding Head Brewpub, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Sly Fox Brewing Company, Stoudt’s Brewing Co., Triumph Brewery, Troegs Brewing Company, Victory Brewing Company and Yards Brewing Company. Also featured will be Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River Brewing Company), Tomme Arthur (The Lost Abbey), Rob Tod (Allagash), Garrett Oliver (Brooklyn Brewery), Phil Markoski (Southampton Publick House) and Adam Avery (Avery Brewing).

“We are very close to announcing some exciting new additions to the 2009 schedule,” said Peters. “You can almost feel the center of gravity in the beer world shifting. People want to be part of what is happening right here in Philadelphia.”

What makes Philly
“the best beer-drinking city in America”?

Tradition. Philadelphia has been crafting beers for more than 300 years, since the days of William Penn. It’s no coincidence that our forefathers wrote the Declaration of Independence in colonial taverns! We brewed America's first lager, and we practically invented porter. We were already famous for beer when Milwaukee was nothing more than a cow pasture

Diversity. While most American craft breweries focus on regional interpretations of one or two styles of ale, Philly-area brewers produce more varieties of beer than any other region in America. Every conceivable style – from bock and pilsner to extreme beer and wild ale – is made within 50 miles of our City Hall.

Neighborhoods. Instead of plastic pubs in non-descript shopping centers, Philadelphia’s taverns are the real thing. Good beer is served in old-time corner bars and newly rehabbed saloons in the same neighborhoods where people live and work. Beer is not a mere fad here; it is a social lubricant of our daily life.

People. Philadelphia is known around the world for our savvy beer-drinkers. Many of the best imported German lagers and Belgian ales are shipped first to Philadelphia, while the rest of the country has to be satisfied with meager leftovers. Meanwhile, every American microbrewery either sends its kegs to Philadelphia, or wishes it could.

Choices. This one is simple: at last count, there were more than 400 great places to grab a great beer in our city and nearby suburbs.