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Philadelphia Brewery Guide: Where to Drink Craft Beer Around the City

For a city that is as passionate about its cheesesteaks, as they are their football team, it should be no surprise that Philadelphia has one of the country’s most vibrant and exciting craft brewery scenes.

group of people drinking beer at a brewery in Philadelphia

Starting with Dock Street Brewery in 1985, craft breweries in Philadelphia have landed all across the city, making it a short trip to enjoy a cold glass of craft beer no matter where you are.

If you’re a beer lover like myself, you’ll want to check out these Philadelphia breweries for some of the best craft beer.

The great thing about Philly is that many of them are within walking distance of each other, so you can make a day out of visiting a few!

With over 90+ breweries in the Greater Philadelphia area, you can’t go wrong with visiting any one of them, but we’ve listed what we think are the most exciting breweries in the area.


Brewery ARS

1927-29 W Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Phone: 215-960-5173
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Located right off of West Passyunk Ave in an actual former auto repair shop, this “South Philly Garage Brewery” is named after the owners of the brewery, brothers Andy and Sean Arsenault. 

Born out of a love for Belgian style and “yeast forward” beers, Brewery ARS offers a constantly rotating selection of beers, most of which can be delivered straight to your door. So if you can’t stop in, make sure to check out their website for delivery options within Philadelphia. 


Love City Brewing Company

1023 Hamilton St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: 215-398-1900
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Located in Callowhill, Love City Brewing Company is one of my favorite places in the city. The interior is not to be missed.

Housed within an old factory building, with lots of brick and green plants, this is sure to be a place you’ll want to come back to again and again. 

Love City offers their signature beers, as well as an always rotating menu of seasonal beers. Be sure to try their Eraserhood IPA, which is noted as a love letter to the neighborhood the brewery resides in.


Wissahickon Brewing Company

3705 W School House Ln, Philadelphia, PA 19129
Phone: 215-483-8833
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Wissahickon Brewing Company is located in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia, born out of a Father’s Day home brewery kit nearly ten years ago and they have continued to grow ever since. 

They are both Family and Pet friendly and have an on-site food truck every day they are open. Additionally, they host weekly events such as yoga every Sunday, and quizzo every Thursday, so be sure to check out their website to see which events are happening!


Yards Brewing Company

500 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: 215-525-0175
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Started in the 80’s by two college friends, Yards Brewing Company is now a Philadelphia staple, housed in a large facility in the heart of Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood. 

When visiting the taproom, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a large amount of beers, as well as an extensive food menu of salads, snacks, and sandwiches. Be sure to try out their English mild “Brawler,” as well as their well known “Philadelphia Pale Ale,”


Philadelphia Brewing Company

2440 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Phone: 215-427-2739
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Proudly representing Philadelphia, Philadelphia Brewing Company is the largest and oldest brewing facility in the city. They have adapted old world brewing techniques, with modern day brewing technology, and offer fresh beer daily to their loyal customers. 

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Once you step inside this brewery, you will feel a difference before you even taste a single one of their beers.

The brewery was constructed over 125 years ago, and Philadelphia Brewing Company has painstakingly taken the time to renovate the building, and revitalize the Kensington neighborhood since acquiring it in 2001. 

They also offer free informal tours of the brewery; just show up at any time between noon and 3pm on Saturdays, and you’ll be put on the next tour.

Get ready to learn about the brewing process, the history of the building, and what makes Philadelphia Brewing Company unique! 


Crime and Punishment Brewing Co.

2711 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: 215-235-2739
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Crime and Punishment is a small, Eastern-style brewery in the heart of Philly. The atmosphere is relaxed, modern, and industrial, and the attire is mainly casual. 

This brewery offers hundreds of delicious brews, including the Magenta Crowler, a fruited sour with blackberry, raspberry, cranberry, and black currant, and the Campfire Cookies Crowler, which tastes like s’mores. 

Crime and Punishment also offer Eastern– European food and small bites like Russian sausages.

Crime and Punishment Brewing Company is located near the banks of the Schuylkill River. It’s a short walk to museum alley, namely the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, and the Franklin Institute. 


Human Robot

1710 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: 215-978-4000
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One of the newer breweries to open up in Philadelphia, Human Robot is not to be missed. Named after the two types of beers they plan to brew, “Human,” refers to the classic, European style beers, while the “Robot” side refers to the more modern techniques that produce hazy IPA’s, and large stouts. 

They also offer local wine and spirits, as well as a neutral hard cider that you will be able to spike with different flavors of your personal choosing. Poe’s Sandwich Joint also relocated to this location, and offers the full menu to any customers of the brewery. 

Human Robot has a full menu of chicken cutlet sandwiches, as well as an array of homestyle and all day breakfast sandwiches that will compliment well with any Human Robot beer, and are definitely not to be missed.


Other Half Brewing Philadelphia

1002 Canal St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: 917-259-1014
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Other Half is a brewery initially founded in New York in 2014. Since then, they’ve opened locations around the country—including in the heart of Philly.

Matt Monahan and Andrew Burman pride themselves on the brewery’s warm, inviting vibes, casual atmosphere, and delicious drinks.

Some of the best beers on the menu include the Forever Ever, a double dry hopped hazy India Pale Ale, and the All Citra Everything, a double dry hopped Imperial India Pale Ale.

They also make cloud-over coffee and wine!

The other half is located near the Delaware Expressway near the Delaware River. Check out the world-renowned Fillmore Philadelphia a few steps away, or head to any of Philly’s nearby restaurants, including Love & Honey Fried Chicken and Elwood.  


Dock Street Brewery

2118 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Phone: (215) 337-3103
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Established in 1985, Dock Street Brewery is Philadelphia’s first craft brewery. They have two locations, Dock Street West in West Philly, and Dock Street South in South Philly, both of which offer fresh award-winning craft beer poured directly from the tanks, wood-fired hand tossed pizzas, and craft cocktails made with in house syrups and local spirits. 

Be sure to check their Instagram for weekly featured cocktails and events, including live music and movie screenings.

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Attic Brewing Co.

137 Berkley St, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone: 267-748-2495
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Another brewery that began with just a single at-home brewing kit set up in the attic of their Germantown, PA home, Attic Brewing Co. is the place to be for a freshly poured craft beer if you find yourself up in the Northeast of Philadelphia

Make sure to try their Bloodhound brown ale, as it was just recently recognized as one of the best beers in America!

They also feature live music every week, so be sure to check their website for a schedule of events and visiting food trucks.


Fermentery Form

1700 Palethorp St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: 267-518-3676
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Fermentary Form is a small, artisanal brewery in West Kensington. This brewery produces beer using a Solera system, a pyramid of oak barrels contributing to their flavorful products. 

Their best beers include the Slo-Mo, a cherry and blackberry-flavored beer that is refreshing and light, and Vieux Selection, a Belgian Geuze blended in one, two, and three-year-old barrels. 

The brewery is open primarily on Saturdays, though they occasionally open on additional days of the week.

Fermentery Form is located in Olde Kensington near the Delaware River. It’s relatively close to the Fillmore Philadelphia and the Rivers Casino—a great place to hang out after a few drinks.

It’s also surrounded by excellent restaurants, including Suraya and Sor Ynez if you’re still hungry.


Punch Buggy Brewery

1445 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
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With their unique logo of a punch buggy made out of hops, and a rotating list of both in-house and local beers, Punch Buggy Brewery is definitely a place you will want to visit.

Located in the Kensington neighborhood, Punch Buggy Brewery has a small brewing system, which they use to their advantage to constantly create and test out different beers to see which work best with their customers, so no two visits will ever be the same. 

They also offer a menu of unique grilled cheeses inspired by different bar bites, such as jalapeno poppers and buffalo chicken.

For something even more unique, Thursday nights are pretzel sandwich nights, featuring different grilled cheese melted and pressed onto philly pretzels, offering something new and off the menu each week.


Second District Brewery

1939 S Bancroft St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Phone: 215-575-5900
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Second District Brewery is all about repping local. Named after the district in which the brewery sits in, Second District Brewery offers beers that are not offered anywhere else.

Sticking with the local theme, many of their beers are made with ingredients from other neighborhood companies including coffee beans from Ultimo which is housed within the same building. 

There is also the hoppy pilsner Bancroft Beer, named after the bar’s address, and the Saw and Tool IPA, named after the previous tenant, J&B Eastern Saw & Tool Sharpening.

With a chill local vibe, and crispy curly fries not to be missed, make sure to add this brewery to your list.


Separatist South Philly

1646 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: 267-534-4879
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With locations in both Easton, PA, and within the heart of Passyunk Square in Philadelphia, Separatist is a small but mighty brewery, serving up fresh and inventive beers throughout the year.

Be sure to try their freezy pop beer if they have it on draft, you will not be disappointed!

Additionally, where the brewing actually takes place in Easton, PA, known as the Separatist Blendery, is newly open to the public, and is open for events so be sure to inquire on their website if you are looking for a place to host your next event! 


Evil Genius Beer Company

1727 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: 215-425-6820
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Known for naming their beers after current pop culture events, as well as brewing top notch beer, Evil Genius Beer Company should definitely be on your list of places to visit.

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Located in Fishtown, right under the El, Evil Genius has a beautiful interior space, with soaring brick walls, ample seating, table games, as well as an outside area with umbrellas and yard games.

Nicknaming their brewery as “The Lab,” Evil Genius is always changing up their beer list, and coming up with beers that you wouldn’t be able to try anywhere else.

They offer their well known staples such as a chocolate peanut butter porter named “Purple Monkey Dishwasher” as well as a citra IPA named “Stacey’s Mom,” as well as more inventive beers such as the tropical punch pale ale “Flyin’ Hawaiian” and the “You’re killin me smalls” raspberry shandy.

If you plan to visit, make sure to go to their website to reserve a table, and enjoy everything that Evil Genius has to offer!


Triple Bottom Brewing Company

915 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: 267-764-1994
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Founded with a social mission, Triple Bottom Brewing Company ensures to hire team members with diverse strengths and skills, and encourages them to foster and develop new ones.

They are located on Spring Garden Ave in Callowhill, and is housed in a beautiful and airy space, perfect for sipping on their well crafted beers straight from the tank! 

They also self distribute their own beers, so if you can’t make it to their brewery, be sure to look out for them on tap in any number of Philly restaurants and bars.


Urban Village Brewing Co.

1001 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: 267-687-1961
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Known as one of the best neighborhood brewpubs in Philadelphia, Urban Village Brewing Company proudly serves the Northern Liberties area with their perfectly paired tank-to-table craft beers and naturally fermented brick oven pizza. 

With a background in home brewing, the owners pride themselves on a constantly rotating menu, so no two visits will ever be the same as both the head brewer and executive chef are constantly working together to create the perfect pizza and beer pairings.


Manayunk Brewing Company

4120 Main St, Philadelphia, PA 19127
Phone: 215-482-8220
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If you find yourself west of the city in Manayunk, be sure to check out the town’s namesake brewery. They have an amazing back patio that overlooks the Schuylkill river, and is the perfect place to enjoy one of their brewed in house beers. 

If they have the King Crunch beer on tap, GET IT. You will not be disappointed. Manayunk Brewing Company also offers a full menu that is sure to satisfy anyone’s appetite, including sandwiches, burgers, and an amazing selection of sushi from their sushi bar.


With so many breweries to choose from, the best way to enjoy all the craft beer that Philadelphia has to offer is to make a day out of it!

Choose a few breweries within the same area and make a beer crawl out of the day, hopefully enjoying the beautiful weather and all of the fresh craft beer that Philadelphia has to offer! Just be sure to check the brewery’s website beforehand to see if a reservation is necessary.

Did we leave a brewery out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment and we’ll check it out!

FAQ – Philadelphia Breweries

How many breweries are in Philadelphia?

There are around 25-30 breweries in Philadelphia. This includes both large scale and craft breweries. Please note that the number might change due to new openings and possible closures.

What is the most popular beer in Philadelphia?

Some of the most popular beers in Philadelphia were produced by local craft breweries such as Yards, Victory, and Philadelphia Brewing Co. The specific favorite beer can vary widely among beer lovers, and depends on personal preference. Some of the popular beers include Yards’ Philly Pale Ale, Victory’s Prima Pils, and PBC’s Kenzinger.

What is the oldest craft brewery in Philadelphia?

The title of the oldest craft brewery in Philadelphia goes to Dock Street Brewery, which was founded in 1985. Dock Street has been a pioneer in the craft beer scene in Philadelphia for decades.

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.