Grab your steins and get ready to guzzle—the 12th Annual Philly Bierfest is set for Feb. 22.
Recognized by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards as one of the Top 10 Beer Festivals, the annual event is hosted by the German Society of Pennsylvania (611 Spring Garden St.) and features almost 100 different pours from PA and Germany.
“Locals may not realize that Pennsylvania brewers lead the nation in championing beer styles of German heritage, from refreshing pilsners to malty doppelbocks,” says Victory Brewing Company president Bill Covaleski.
Covaleski served as the founding president of the Brewers of Pennsylvania Trade Association, and remains a board member. “Bierfest is a perfect showcase for what should be a point of pride for Philadelphia’s beer lovers.”
The event will pour over 50 German-style beers from 25 Pennsylvania craft brewers in the PA Beer Hall, and over three dozen beers imported from Germany in the German Beer Hall and Ayinger Speakeasy. Bierfest also will host a “NoLo Import Bar” featuring German zero-proof and low-alcohol beers, and the all-new Bitburger BRÜ Balcony.
The latter is accessible for VIP and VIP plus ticket holders and will serve Bitburger Pilsner, German-inspired bites, and seating with views of the stage.
Speaking of the stage, the event will be peppered with German-themed entertainment, like Berlin-Style Beerlesque, Oompah-Funk by Polkadelphia and UGH Schühplattler Folk Dancers. Those who get a bit peckish can also head to the PA Cheese Cave and PA Cider Bar to check out fermented offerings from members of the PA Cheese Guild and PA Cider Guild.
Philadelphians who attend Bierfest can also indulge in a Traditional Bavarian “Bierstacheln” – aka a caramelization of doppelbock beer with hot fire pokers – and check out different events like Roller Derby Arm-Wrestling, Beer-Jello Masskrugstemmen, and Live Philbilly Music by TC Cole Riot. 2025 will also hold the additions of a “Best Legs in Lederhosen” contest and axe throwing.
The event will also present the GSP’s 2025 German Beer Ambassador Award to renowned beer and whiskey writer, Lew Bryson. Bryson will be partnering with Bierfest co-founder Marnie Old to enlighten VIP Plus guests on guided tasting seminars (noon and 3 p.m.) dubbed “He Said PA, She Said Germany.”
Over two dozen Pennsylvania craft and legacy brewers will participate in Bierfest 2025, including Attic Brewing Co. (Philadelphia), Broad Street Brewing Co. (Bristol), Dock Street Brewing Co. (Philadelphia), Iron Hill Brewery (Exton), Human Robot Brewery (Philadelphia), Lavery Brewing (Erie), Love City Brewing Co. (Philadelphia), Mainstay Independent Brewing Co. (Philadelphia) and more.
German beers, on the other hand, will span brews from Ayinger, Bitburger, Erdinger, HofBräu, König Ludwig, Köstritzer, Paulaner, Radeberger, Schneider & Stiegl, Schöfferhofer, Turcher, Warsteiner and more.
To encourage local home brewers to try their hand at brewing, Bierfest’s Home Sweet HomeBräu Taste-Off will also award the winning homebrewer the opportunity to brew a commercial batch of their recipe in collaboration with the custom craft brewers of My Local Brew Works, to be served at Bierfest 2026, a release notes.
All GA events will take place across five floors, two historic buildings, and the German Society’s gated garden from 2 to 5:30 p.m. As a release notes, as always, this spirited event is presented in partnership with two additional non-profit beneficiaries: The skaters of Philly Roller Derby and the Brewers of Pennsylvania. The Brewers is a trade association that advocates for PA brewers and beer lovers and aims to foster a healthy and growth-focused beer industry in our state.
As a non-profit itself, The German Society of Pennsylvania was founded in 1764. The organization is devoted to “furthering the understanding of German and German-American contributions to the growth of American history and culture from the past to the present, and into the future.” The 12th Annual Philly Bierfest is a continuation of their mission.
Tickets ($59-$99) are available online, special pricing is also available for German Society Members. ‘Beer-Less’ tickets are available for designated drivers by contacting the German Society of PA.
To find out more information on the 12th Annual Philly Bierfest, visit phillybierfest.org