10 Events You Can’t Miss During 2015 Philly Beer Week

Craft beer lovers, rejoice.

Who’s thirsty? Philly Beer Week has begun! It’s time to drink in the hundreds of beer-centric festivals, dinners, tours, pub crawls, tastings and meet-the-brewer nights taking place at bars, restaurants and other locations throughout the Philadelphia region from May 29–June 7.

You may need a bit of guidance to help you sort through all the events on the 10-day, action-packed agenda, so we’re here with our top picks to help you make the most of your hoppy adventures, starting with Opening Tap on May 29. Cheers!

- Advertisement -

From Left: Opening Tap Attendees//photo by Stephen Lyford; Forest & Main beer//photo by nina lea photography

Opening Tap//Photo by Stephen Lyford

Opening Tap: Friday, May 29, 7 p.m.–10 p.m.

Kick off Philly Beer Week with offerings from 42 breweries and home brewers, live music, entertainment and the debut of Leuven on a Prayer, a collab beer from Brouwerij Hof ten Dormaal and Free Will. Three tiers of admission: general, $46; VIP, $92; and designated driver, $25. VIP admission includes an additional hour of access beginning at 6 p.m. in addition to exclusive beers and cheese pairings catered by Di Bruno Bros. Purchase tickets online. 23rd Street Armory, 22 S. 23rd St., Philadelphia

Deschutes Mobile Pub Tour: Saturday, May 30, noon–12 a.m.

Oregon-based Deschutes Brewery hosts the East Coast debut its brand-new “mobile pub” featuring 40 taps and a 402-foot custom bar. Feel good about indulging: 100 percent of all proceeds benefit the Vetri Foundation. Tasty eats will be offered by Alla Spina, Lo Spiedo, Mom Mom’s Polish Food Cart and the Twisted Tail. Headhouse Square, Second and South Sts., Philadelphia

- Partner Content -

East Passyunk Craft Beer Day: Sunday, May 31, 11 a.m.–12 a.m.

Hip, happening East Passyunk Ave. will become a craft beer haven boasting 12 award-winning restaurants and bars, a Meet-the-Brewer Brunch with Southern Tier Brewing Company at Pub on Passyunk East and an outdoor grilling extravaganza at Le Virtu’s Il Campo. E. Passyunk Ave., South Philadelphia

Pucker Up, PA: Monday, June 1, 4 p.m.–2 a.m.

Like it sour? Drink up a night of tart and sour ales at Center City’s U-Bahn. Four Pennsylvania breweries—ShawneeCraft, Bullfrog, Free Will and Draai Laag—will be featuring 17 of their pucker-worthy pours, including Shawnee Raspberry Blanche, Free Will Cuvee Aigre, Bullfrog BA Funny Farmhouse Cider and Draai Laag R2L Koelschip. 1320 Chestnut St., Philadelphia

Van Honsebrouck Meet and Greet: Tuesday, June 2, 5–7 p.m.

- Advertisement -

No need to head to the city—Teresa’s Cafe & Next Door in Wayne will be hosting the men of Belgium’s Van Honsebrouck Brewery for an evening of great beers and great company. Teresa’s will be pouring St. Louis Gueuze on hand pump as well as Cuvée. Importer Dan Leeman from Global Beer will also be on the scene to answer your beer-related questions! 124–126 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne

Literary Day: Wednesday, June 3, 5–7 p.m.

Take a break from all that beer with something a little more academic. Author Bryan Kolesar will be on hand at Home Sweet Home Brew for a book signing of his new tome, Beer Lover’s Mid-Atlantic: Best Breweries, Brewpubs & Beer Bars. Free beer tastings, 10 percent off all other books and personalized copies of George Humel’s The Complete Homebrew Beer Book will also be part of the evening. 2008 Sansom St., Philadelphia

Summer Music Kick-off: Thursday, June 4, 6–8 p.m.

Bring your party back to the ‘burbs for Whole Foods Market Plymouth Meeting’s Summer Music Series inaugural event with The Fitch Brothers. The pay-as-you-go event features Happy Hour Taco Trucks pricing, beers on the roof, lots of live music and special guest breweries Port Brewing Company and The Lost Abbey. 500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting

Victory Beer//photo by nina lea photography

Brewmaster’s Lunch: Friday, June 5, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

Enjoy an intimate three-course, locally-sourced lunch at Varga Bar alongside head brewmaster Bill Covaleski of Victory Brewing Company, who’ll be talking about the importance of sustainability in both beer-making and food preparation. The top-notch draft list will include Victory favorites Summer Love, Headwaters and Prima Pils in addition to new brews Sour Monkey, Kirsch Gose, Deep Cocoa and many more. $40. Only 60 tickets will be sold; get yours online. 941 Spruce St., Philadelphia

Fishtown FestivALE: Saturday, June 6, noon–8 p.m.

One of the largest Philly Beer Week street festivals head to Fishtown for an afternoon of impromptu beer gardens, live music and street games. Locations taking part include Johnny Brenda’s, Fette Sau, Frankford Hall, Kensington Quarters, La Colombe, Fishtown Tavern and Bottle Bar East. Frankford Ave., between Girard Ave. and Master St.

Stone Brunch: Sunday, June 7, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Round out your Philly Beer Week experience at Lucky’s Last Chance with a Stone Brewing Company tap takeover and hangover-friendly brunch. On-tap features will include Stone Delicious IPA, Go To Session IPA, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Arrogant Bastard and Imperial Mutt Brown Ale; Sublimely Self-Righteous and Cali-Belgique will be available in bottles. Lucky’s will also be treating diners to a surprise beer to be paired with a one-time-only brunch item! 4421 Main St., Manayunk

For even more Philly Beer Week information, check out the PBW App, available for iPhone and Android. Features include maps and directions to venues; events listed by date, location, neighborhood and brewery; notifications alerting fans to appearances of The Hammer of Glory; and integrated social media sharing on Twitter and Facebook. You can also follow Philly Beer Week on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and be social by using the hashtag #PBW2015.

Our Best of the Main Line Elimination Ballot is open through February 22!