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beeps-n-boops t1_iscph95 wrote

IMO Human Robot is the best brewery in the city at the moment.

I'd put Second District a close second.

But to be honest, with just a couple of exceptions (such as Philadelphia Brewing, who make lousy beer, and Tired Hands which is owned and operated by shitbag people) most of the breweries in and around the city are pretty freakin' good.

Your best best is to visit as many as you can, and decide which ones appeal to you the most (beer, vibe/atmosphere, food if available, etc.)

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Evilevilcow t1_isdanxe wrote

I would throw Triple Bottom in there for a trifecta.

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vichina t1_isdeg0n wrote

Just came from triple bottom and their lagers are amazing. Festbier, marzen, zicklebier. All very tasty.

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herpaderpadont t1_isdwznv wrote

To add to that Triple Bottom is a fair chance employer.

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Series_G t1_iseyxdu wrote

Fair chance? Curious. What does that mean?

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herpaderpadont t1_isez9kr wrote

“As a fair chance brewery, we create meaningful, living-wage jobs for people who have experienced homelessness or incarceration, and may otherwise be excluded from the mainstream economy. “

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Series_G t1_iskne0r wrote

Thanks for what you are doing. Respect.

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beeps-n-boops t1_isg0vz7 wrote

I haven't been there since before the pandemic began, but I was always impressed every time.

A low-key place that flies under many peoples' radar, making really good beer (and not overwhelmingly focused on hazies and other trendy beers).

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Indiana_Jawnz t1_isdt2x1 wrote

OP, be advised Tired Hands is owned by a dick, but it might be the best beer in the entire area, though Roy Pitz, now Liquid Arts, is a strong contender.

Philly Brewing Company is good beer (not the best, but not bad), operated by good people who don't aspire to be more than just a neighborhood brewery making the people's beer (Kenzinger)

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Roguewind t1_isgtmvx wrote

Tired Hands isn’t even that far above most other breweries anymore. 10 years ago, sure. But most other places have come a long way, and there’s so many good options, there’s no need to support them.

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GreatWhiteRapper t1_isesv90 wrote

I'm gonna check out Roy Pitz/Liquid Brewing at some point now. We've passed by when going to devour unholy amounts of meat at Lucky Well. And still need to hit up Triple Bottom. That section of Spring Garden is really coming along nicely with the food/drink options. Still not really sure what "neighborhood" it is though. Callowhill?

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_jeremybearimy_ t1_isev7l6 wrote

Callowhill, but they’re trying to make “Spring Arts” happen.

Roy Pitz has a ton of sour beers and also, really amazing food. I recommend everyone try it. Their Detroit pizza is amazing but I just love their burgers and fish and chips too, it’s all so good

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beeps-n-boops t1_isg05dc wrote

> Philly Brewing Company is good beer (not the best, but not bad)

Disagree very strongly with this. Once Fishtown Brewpub closed, PBC is easily the worst in the city.

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Indiana_Jawnz t1_isgbcup wrote

Dock street never impressed me. Maybe that's just me though.

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beeps-n-boops t1_isgblv9 wrote

They've never been great, but they've never sucked either.

PBC makes lousy beer.

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CT_Real t1_isdy28i wrote

>OP, be advised Tired Hands is owned by a dick,

You missed the memo here, getting mad at that dude for being a creep is actually "woke" and "cancel culture" it's actually good he came back.

Source: This sub and IG

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ForeignReviews t1_isezxcb wrote

Yea. Philadelphia brewing sucks

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beeps-n-boops t1_isfzxck wrote

And it's a shame, because they're good people and very community-focused... but yeah, they make objectively poor beer.

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NasIsLike1994 t1_ise48ur wrote

Pretty sure the whole operational situation at Tired Hands was flipped around sometime in the past 1+ year after it came out how much of shitnbag people the owners were. Would be very disappointed if otherwise because they do make fantastic beer. Some of the best in the country I would say.

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barnabyisringhausen t1_iserqjw wrote

Jean unapologetically returned to his post after hiding out for like a year. He's even comfortable showing his face on their Instagram again (granted, any comments referencing his actions are instantly nuked).

Nothing's changed at TH. Good beer isn't worth giving your money to shitty people when there's plenty of other good beer in this city.

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WIZEj t1_isem2o3 wrote

A puppet CEO runs it for the shitbag owner who still makes all of the money.

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beeps-n-boops t1_isfzpa1 wrote

From what I understand Jean is back in a (mostly) day-to-day role, and honestly until he sells the place to a non-shitbag they won't get another penny from me.

As to the beer, very high-quality across a very small range of styles. If you're not into hazies, milkshakes, or farmhouse-style beers you're kinda SOL.

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TheAdamist t1_iscsbkx wrote

Human robot is the Best brewery, pilsners, lagers and ipas. Do a tube. Dont ask just do it.

Beer bars, monks cafe is the og with 25 years of Belgian beers and some European and American craft. I like the duck, many people like the mussels, get the frites.

Glory beer bar also has an amazing draft list, skews American craft. No crazy bottle beer bible like monks though.

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grittyfanboi t1_isctd0n wrote

Crime and punishment! Excellent beer and perogies!

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frickensweet t1_isd2hrq wrote

Visited for the first time last weekend. Solid pours. Might be the best perogies I’ve ever had.

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Genkiotoko t1_isd0ang wrote

While they aren't my favorite in the city I do think they deserve far more business and growth than they've had.

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grittyfanboi t1_isd0kbr wrote

100%, I personally love ARS but my wife lovvvvves Crime and Punishment, she cannot get enough of their beers. I rep em whenever I can

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[deleted] t1_isddf2c wrote

[deleted]

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grittyfanboi t1_iseki8p wrote

Yeah and they are incredibly small, BUT the beer is still delicious

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MiSombrero t1_isdd9tr wrote

I absolutely love Brewery ARS. I haven’t been to the fish town location but the south Philly spot is always a fun time.

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Rich_Librarian_7758 t1_isd1j7a wrote

15 minute train ride outside the city to Forest and Main in Ambler. R5.

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jamiethekiller t1_isd83le wrote

Yes.

There's a reason why every top brewery in the country has done a Collab or actively works with them. Their large format saisons are unlike anything you'll ever drink.

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mountjo t1_isd5oxt wrote

Pasquallys has the best can/bottle selection you'll find in Philly

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Sand_toes_ t1_isek2c7 wrote

Attic Brewing Company in Germantown is well worth the visit. Awesome beer and great vibes. Tons of events too throughout the week like comedy night and live music.

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South_Cockroach_156 t1_iseoqjb wrote

Love me some Attic brewing. The beer garden out back is great, it’s right next to Deke’s for good BBQ, and right across the street from the Wayne Junction regional rail station for easy transit access.

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mwz5021 t1_isfooww wrote

Plus they have a ton of variety, and everything is consistently great

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flapjaxrfun t1_iscrxoq wrote

Other half, tired hands, hidden river, and imprint are probably going to be the highest rated on untappd. Hidden river is pretty far out, but might be the coolest and best brewery in the area. Its amazing during spooky season.

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Gerald_the_sealion t1_isdarx5 wrote

Hidden River is awesome. Used to live down the road. It’s been a lodge, restaurant, now brewery. Friend used to live there and they would tell us all the haunted stuff that went on there. Really cool inside, they still do ghost tours as well.

Imprint is for phenomenal sours.

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Fraughtturnip t1_isdlzhj wrote

Don’t sleep on Free Will for sours either. They haven’t had as many as of late because their barrel aging room flooded and they had to get rid of a bunch of stuff, but they have been making killer beers for a while out in the burbs.

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Gerald_the_sealion t1_isdndkj wrote

True. Haven’t been there in a while. I’m like 10 min from both them and imprint. Just love what imprint puts out. That said, they are different kinds of sours entirely

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flyingpanda5693 t1_isdaod4 wrote

New Ridge and Twisted Gingers in Manayunk both have a great selection. New Ridge also has GREAT food.

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XSC t1_isewv03 wrote

New Ridge’s food is the BEST out of all breweries anywhere in the region. It they didn’t make any beer they would be considered one of the best restaurants out there. Their beer is as good but their selection is limited and at least for me had better options when they opened (I’m not an IPA guy but they used to have a KILLER Hefeweizen and a great tripel.

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flyingpanda5693 t1_isf986r wrote

Their food is so good! I like their IPAs but their best by far is their Roxborough Gold Helles

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DlnnerTable t1_isdir6l wrote

I’m a new fan of twisted ginger. Good pizza, friendly staff, and great beer. I haven’t been to new ridge for food but I’ve heard good things about their burger. Unfortunately I’ve always been disappointed by their beer…

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ModestAugustine t1_iscyw4t wrote

Bar Hygge (and their Brewery Techne) makes some really good and varied beers. They rotate pretty frequently, definitely worth a visit

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bigger_sky t1_isdaiib wrote

Forest and Main in Ambler is my favorite in the metro. Hidden River has amazing wild ales and the brewery itself is probably the coolest I’ve been to in my life.

Not specifically in the metro but Separatist in Easton is really good. I think they were gonna open a location in Philly but idk if they ever did that. Maybe someone else can confirm.

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slightlydirtythroway t1_isde93k wrote

If you’re down in south Philly, I’d give Cartesian brewing a try

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notbizmarkie t1_isd1hnn wrote

Across the river, Tonewood in Oaklyn is wonderful. I also love Double Nickel in Pennsauken.

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Brraaap t1_iscmiee wrote

Check out /r/phillycraftbeer

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sailbag36 t1_iscmlr5 wrote

Fermentory forum

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TheAdamist t1_iscshmv wrote

Open for four hours a week of alley drinking, so even as an aficionado its hard to partake.

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lawgirl3278 t1_isdmud0 wrote

Human Robot is the best. And Original XIII if you’re into ciders.

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diatriose t1_iscml2w wrote

Check out Roy Pitz and Yards

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beeps-n-boops t1_iscprvj wrote

Roy Pitz is now Liquid Art. Same owners / brewers / staff, just a complete re-brand.

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blinkdmb t1_isdacym wrote

I went to college in Shippensburg when they got started. I got to see them making the watermellon beer once pretty cool.

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Indiana_Jawnz t1_isdssna wrote

I knew their old apprentice brewer and was going there in Chambersburg back when they just had a retail counter with the brewery in the basement.

Idk, maybe it's nostalgia but this rebrand really turns me off.

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aduckwithaleek t1_isex1gx wrote

Some of my faves were already mentioned but I'll throw them up again: Human Robot, Triple Bottom Brewing, ARS, Love City

Just across the Delaware is Forgotten Boardwalk. They do some very creative brews with an amazing boardwalk-themed taproom; it's well-worth the visit. For non-breweries, Memphis Taproom is a special fave (go for brunch and get the kielbasa breakfast platter), and I love the Garden at Cherry Street Pier (mostly for the environment, but they serve a good number of local beers).

I'll also give some love to Philadelphia Brewing Company. Yes, they're not the best beers I've ever had (my spouse describes the Kenzinger as "what would be in a plain can just labeled 'Beer'"), but it's very spacious and just kind of a nice outdoor hang where you don't feel on top of anybody. Plus they get some great food trucks that come by. It's probably not worth a specific trip, but if you're in the neighborhood I'd at least drop by.

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moonfacts_info t1_isd5wol wrote

Tired Hands in Ardmore makes the best beer around. The owner is controversial, though. When I lived in the city, my favorite breweries were Ars (every beer is excellent, no beer is much of a gimmick) and Second District (every beer is excellent, some fun gimmicks) in South Philly.

Someone also mentioned Fermentary Form, which is probably better than Tired Hands but also more expensive and literally never open.

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SundaeConnect6906 t1_isdg1mr wrote

2SP Brewery in Aston does the best beer in the area, especially if you're into stouts and hazy ipas, but they do a bit of everything.

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Delicious_Top_9093 t1_isdg243 wrote

Bonesaw Brewing Co in Glassboro NJ is well worth the trip.

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shermanhelms t1_isdx86f wrote

Local 44 in West Philly has a nice tap list. Others have mentioned Monk’s, which is top-notch (be sure to check out their bottle menu if you like lambic). Outside the city proper, Teresa’s (Wayne), Capone’s (Norristown) and Pinocchio’s (Media) all have fantastic tap lists. Capone’s, in particular, has bucket list beers on tap pretty much all the time.

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warpoe t1_ise6vxf wrote

Meyers Brewing on girard is lowkey good. Small spot but they have a decent selection of different types of craft that rotate through

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mittromneyshaircut t1_isop7ok wrote

I went there around when they opened and thought they missed the mark on every pour we tried, unfortunately. Maybe they’ve dialed it in in the last year or two though

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omgahya t1_isd3aar wrote

Not breweries, but they have good selections;

PennsPort, South Philly Taproom, Sardine Bar, and Side Car. Places that are local to me, short walk or drive.

Edit: Just go down the list of as much craft beer as you can, find your favorite brew and stick to those types.

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Diabolikjn t1_isew038 wrote

Also we are under 2 hours from arguably one of the godfathers …. Dogfish

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PHL852 t1_isfh0x6 wrote

Hearing lots of good stuff about Human Robot. Do they sell their beer anywhere but the brewery?

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fakeblonde21 t1_isd412a wrote

Source in fishtown! Also their food is AMAZING

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wait_what888 t1_ish4ke1 wrote

Tired hands is clutch if you like saison or IPA. Urban village has a great happy hour and leans more towards IPAs, which are pretty good. Iron hill is good and has a little bit of everything, less IPA heavy. For the love of God, avoid second story brewing; I went twice and both times the beer was awful. The second time, even the bartenders were saying that they couldn’t recommend a single one of their own beers. Also a little bit out of the area, but I have not had a beer from Workhorse (KOP) I didn’t like! Triumph brewing in New Hope also has great beer.

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k_rh t1_iscovgn wrote

Evil Genius

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ender411 t1_isdxpbi wrote

While I too don't agree with Evil Genius as some of the best beer in Philadelphia, giving reasons would be more helpful beyond straight downvoting. My reason is that their beer names are annoying and aside from sours, I've not been impressed. Also their guava beer is gross.

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