The Shambles at Headhouse Square is being transformed into the Philly Beer Week Garden.
Credit: R. Kennedy for GPTMC
Philly Beer Week is officially underway, with events happening all over the city. Here’s our guide on what not to miss — and how to survive.
Survival guide:
1. Download the PBW app
This is your one-stop (or one-click) shop for drunkenness. Every event is chronicled and searchable by bar name, brewery and section of the city. Did you find the cookie?
2. Wear sneakers
We’re dead serious here, folks, don’t wear dress shoes. Remember, Old City is filled with cobblestones. We suggest a comfy pair of Pumas.
3. High quality H20
Hydration is the real key to surviving Philly Beer Week. Keep bottled water handy – because you wouldn’t go to the beach without suntan lotion, would you?
Can’t Miss Events:
Dunkel Dare
June 5, 7-9 p.m. at Frankford Hall
What: Great Lakes (Cleveland, OH) returns to defend its title in the beer version of the popular kid’s TV show, Double Dare. Marc Summers, who fake-chugged a beer with us last year, is also back. Victory, Stoudt’s and Yards will be competing.
Playing with Play-Do
June 6, 7-10 p.m. at The Institute Bar
What: It’s not a crime to go sculpting while under the influence, so pick your favorite color of Play-Do and get your Picasso on. Winner gets two cases of brew from everyone’s favorite Allentown brewery, Fegley’s Brew Works.
Bacon Beer Fest
June 7, 5-8 p.m. at Field House with Yards Brewing
What: Kermit, hide Miss Piggy. Bespoke Bacon (Lansdale) and Yards Brewing are teaming up for a night of pig-flying fun sure to induce a maple-cured hangover. There’s no telling what can happen.
Top collab brews:
Manneken-Penn: This is what happens when a couple of beer-crazed Philadelphians spend a few days partying in Brussels. The unofficial brew of Philly Beer Week, which contains real molasses, is a Belgian dubbel with a serious Philly attitude.
Brewvolution II: Local brewers Prism, Evil Genius, Boxcar are staying true to their roots, literally. This collab is a sweet, sweet lullabye that was brewed with root herbs and spices from Amish country. Think root beer.
Crackle and Squeeze: The yearly partnership between Dock Street Brewing and the Four Seasons hotel brings us this summer pour featuring meyer lemons and cracked pink and black peppers. We’re not huge fans of fruit in our beer, but we’ll try anything coming out of Rosemarie Certo’s tanks.
And don’t forget the garden:
One of the most relaxing places to enjoy a brew and people watch has always been the Philly Beer Week Garden. It still is, but it’s in a new location having moved from its traditional post outside the Four Seasons hotel to The Shambles at Headhouse Square, better known as that funky old place in Society Hill (2nd & Lombard) where George Washington probably bought his produce and wigs. The Garden is open nightly June 3-7 from 5-9 p.m. Admission is free. Beer and food is pay as you go.
