If you had asked me 5 years ago where you should visit to try some great beer, the City of Brotherly Love wouldn’t have even made the list. I truly had no idea how many breweries were based in Philadelphia! There were just 17 back in 2017, and that number has almost doubled in the near decade since. If you venture out into the greater Philadelphia region, there are upwards of 90 breweries to choose from!
While beer has been brewed in the nation’s former capital for over a hundred years, the emergence of the city’s modern craft beer scene began with Yards Brewing in 1996. Craft beer became so popular in Philadelphia that in 2008, Philly Beer Week was born. It’s now become one of the largest events of its kind in the country! Usually held in late May/early June, the 10-day event consists of various beer-focused events, contests, a relay, and a number of beer-pairing themed dinners/brunches.
If you’re a fan of hoppy beers, this may not be the list for you. I personally tend to lean towards lighter beers like kölsches, blondes, wheat beers, and sours, while avoiding IPAs and stouts like the plague. That being said, most (if not all) of the breweries below have a pretty wide variety of beers to choose from. My husband Jasper isn’t a beer fan, so to help out other non-beer drinkers I’ve also included what he usually orders at each brewery as well!
Favorite Philadelphia Breweries
Urban Village Brewing – 1001 North 2nd Street – Northern Liberties.
I miss living within walking distance of Urban Village SO. MUCH. Any time we didn’t feel like cooking or were just bored, we ended up here. If anyone ever asks for a brewery recommendation in Philadelphia, Urban Village is my immediate answer every time. They make some amazing brick oven pizzas, plus salads and sandwiches. You’ll find plenty of covered outdoor seating and TVs throughout the space. They also have trivia every Thursday at 8pm!
My Favorite: Girard Jamz – Fruited Sour
Jasper’s Go-To: A local draft cider or seasonal cocktail
Attic Brewing Company – 137 Berkley Street – Germantown.
Don’t let the industrial look of the area surrounding the brewery scare you off! This Philly favorite has plenty of indoor and outdoor space (weather permitting), making it perfect for groups. They also have a wide variety of beers to choose from, plus a full bar, so there’s a little something for everyone. While they don’t serve food themselves, they do have a rotating variety of food trucks out front as well as Deke’s BBQ next door!
My Favorite: La Libertad – Mexican Lager
Jasper’s Go-To: Local draft cider or canned Stateside cocktail
New Ridge Brewing – 6168 Ridge Avenue – Roxborough.
New Ridge is a great option if you’re also looking for a meal, not just to drink. So far this is the only brewery in Philly where Jasper will actually order a beer! When it’s on the menu, the Wild at Heart is a great option for people that aren’t necessarily beer drinkers. It’s light and they’ll even sometimes have the option to add flavored syrups that “cancel out the beer-y flavor” (his words, not mine). Following the trend of breweries with trivia nights, New Ridge has Quizzo on Wednesdays at 7pm.
My Favorite: Stark Raving Normal – Mild / Light
Jasper’s Go-To: Ploughman Cider or a seasonal cocktail
Wissahickon Brewing – 3705 West School House Lane – East Falls.
I love Wissahickon because of the large selection of beer options they have on draft (plus alcohol slushies in the summer). They also make their own cider under the name Gazebo, and in the mornings they operate Whirlybird Coffee out of the brewery. While they don’t sell food, there is a rotating selection of food trucks outside daily. A second location with a kitchen opened in Kensington in early 2025. They also have trivia on Thursday nights at 7:30pm.
My Favorite: Wiss Wit – Witbier
Jasper’s Go-To: Seasonal Gazebo Cider
Twisted Gingers Brewing Company – 4317 Fleming Street – Manayunk.
This brewery is a little harder to find than the others, as it’s tucked away on a residential street between Manayunk and Roxborough. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the giant beer can painted on the side of the building! Along with beer, they also make their own branded hard seltzers. If you’re hungry, they have a handful of different pizzas on the menu. A bit earlier than some of the others, Twisted Gingers has trivia on Mondays at 6:30pm. In early 2025 they opened a larger second location about 30 minutes north of the city in Ambler, PA.
My Favorite: Peachin Street – Sour
Jasper’s Go-To: Orange Hard Seltzer
Triple Bottom Brewing – 915 Spring Garden Street – West Poplar/Callowhill.
I love that Triple Bottom is a majority female-run fair chance brewery – meaning they hire people who may otherwise be excluded from the workforce, because of things like homelessness or incarceration. Unlike many of the others on this list, the inside of the brewery aesthetically gives off more of a café/coffee shop vibe.
My Favorite: Huzzah! – Traditional Gose
Jasper’s Go-To: Local Cider
Yards Brewing Company – 500 Spring Garden Street – Northern Liberties.
When many people think of Philly beer, Yards is the first that comes to mind. They’ve been brewing beer in Philly since 1994, and moved into their massive 70,000 SqFt Northern Liberties taproom in 2017. There is a little outdoor seating, but the majority of it is inside. But don’t worry, you’ll still get plenty of fresh air when its warm out, thanks to all the roll-up garage doors. If you have the time, take a tour of the facility too!
My Favorite: Raising the Bar – Witbier
Jasper’s Go-To: Local Cider
Evil Genius Beer Company – 1727 North Front Street – Fishtown.
The best part of Evil Genius is the beer names, hands down. They make you want to try a beer even if it’s not something you normally like. For example, I HATE Pineapple flavored anything. But I had to try the Anchorman-inspired I Love Lamp Pineapple Hefeweizen anyway. I definitely prefer to sit outside when it’s warm, but obviously so does everyone else so their patio fills up pretty fast.
My Favorite: #ICANTEVEN – Watermelon Blonde Ale
Jasper’s Go-To: Local Cider
Victory Brewing Company – 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway – Logan Square.
While Victory has their flagship brewery in nearby Downingtown, PA, their Philly location is known as the “innovation hub”. They serve all your favorite Victory beers, as well as some specialty ones brewed on location. The brewery is massive, with 2 bars and both indoor and outdoor seating. Funny enough, I realized while doing some background research to write this list that Victory actually started out in the old Pepperidge Farm factory building that my dad worked at before we moved to Lancaster County!
My Favorite: Witty Monkey – Citrus Wheat
Jasper’s Go-To: Bold Rock Cider (a Victory affiliate brand)
Breweries Still on My “To Visit” List
Human Robot – 1710 N 5th Street – Kensington.
A craft brewery with multiple locations, known for its lagers and milk tube pours.
Humble Parlor – 530 E Girard Avenue – Fishtown.
Microbrewery with hours that vary weekly (check Facebook or Instagram).
Love City Brewing – 1023 Hamilton Street – Callowhill.
A craft brewery in a former rail parts factory with an outdoor beer garden across the street.
Source Urban Brewery – 1101 Frankford Avenue – Fishtown.
This New Jersey based brewery is slowly gaining a foothold in Philly. They’re planning to open a third location in Manayunk in the Fall of 2025.
Two Locals Brewing Company – 3675 Market Street Suite 100 – University City.
The first black-owned brewery in Philadelphia (and Pennsylvania as a whole).
Carbon Copy – 701 S 50th Street – West Philly.
Brewery and restaurant housed in a former Philadelphia firehouse.
Breweries that Didn’t Make the Cut
Fat Lady Brewing – 4323 Main Street – Manayunk.
I really wanted to like it, but the beer options just weren’t for me!
Philadelphia Brewing Company – 2440 Frankford Ave – Kensington.
While I love the beer garden space, the beer here just isn’t as great as the other options on the list.
Chestnut Hill Brewing Company – 8221 Germantown Ave – Chestnut Hill.
If you’re in the area already it’s not a bad option, but the beer and food are just average.
Second District – 1939 S Bancroft Street – South Philly.
It’s a nice laid back space, but I’ve been twice and still wouldn’t be able to recommend a beer from here.
Toska Restaurant & Brewery – 7136 Germantown Ave – Mt. Airy.
I’ve heard good things about their food, but we stopped in for a beer after dinner one night and unfortunately just weren’t all that impressed.
Did any of your favorite Philadelphia breweries make the list?
Let me know in the comments where I should try next!
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