General Lafayette Inn & Brewery
Frequented by a certain young French general during the Revolutionary War, this centuries-old Montgomery County inn houses a popular brewery and restaurant that prides itself on using fresh, local ingredients. Brewmaster Christopher Leonard creates international-style brews such as Raspberry Mead-Ale and Pacific Pale Ale. 646 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill. Map, Directions and Phone Number
Independence Brew Pub
Across the street from the Reading Terminal Market, this popular restaubar conditions and pours its own Kolsh, Red Ale, Cask-conditioned Ale, Oatmeal Stout and Indian Pale Ale. 1150 Filbert Street, (215) 922-4292 Map, Directions and Phone Number
Iron Hill Brewery
Born in Newark, Delaware, this restaurant/brewery has expanded into three Pennsylvania locations, one in Chester, a second in Delaware county and the newest location in Montgomery County. But Iron Hill’s brewers haven’t let expansion get in the way of beer-making. Last year, team Iron Hill added two gold and three bronze medals to their already prodigious honors. The big winners: Bourbon Russian, a barrel-aged beer; Tripel, a Belgian-style abbey ale; Wee Heavy, a strong Scotch ale; and Framboise de Hill, a Belgian-style sour ale. 3 W. Gay Street, West Chester, (610) 738-9600; 30 E. State Street, Media, (610) 627-9000; 1460 Bethlehem Pike, North Wales, (267) 708-2000 Map, Directions and Phone Number
Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant
This canal-side destination is a favorite for everything from burgers to ahi tuna washed down with refreshing summer lagers and ales made on site. 4120 Main Street, (215) 482-8220 Map, Directions and Phone Number
McKenzie Brew House
This popular Chadds Ford brew pub serves up its very own Wicked Will’s Pale Ale, Black Lab Stout, Unicorn Amber and Shane’s Gold, made by brewer Scott Morrison, who specializes in Belgian beer. Route 202, Chadds Ford, (610) 361-9800 Map, Directions and Phone Number
Nodding Head Brewery and Restaurant
In the heart of Center City, this cozy upstairs hideaway has won more beer competition awards than it can hang on its walls. Beers here are brewed seasonally and in view of the patrons. Among Nodding Head’s dozens of styles: Grog, BoHo Pils, Golden Ale and Son of Swami, all of which compliment the kitchen’s burgers and Belgian-style mussels. 1516 Sansom Street, 2nd floor, (215) 569-9525 Map, Directions and Phone Number
Sly Fox Beer
Famed for its bock and ice bock brews, this Chester County brewer has grown in leaps and bounds since its inception in 1994. Sly Fox crafts and bottles its brews and runs two brew pubs in Phoenixville and Royersford. Head brewer Brian O’Reilly has won bronze medals at the Great American Beer Festival for his Helles Golden Lager, while the Pikeland Pils has earned gold. Pikeland Village Square, 519 Kimberton Road, Phoenixville, (610) 935-4540; 312 N. Lewis Road, Royersford, (610) 948-8088 Map, Directions and Phone Number
Victory Brewing Company
The German-trained brewers at this Chester County producer make 20 beer styles, according to season and demand. Victory’s Golden Monkey Tripel won a silver medal in the 2004 International Beer Competition in London. Their popular Hop Devil Ale earned the title of "Champion American Beer" in the Great British Beer Festival in 2002. Both Men’s Journal and the New York Times rated their Prima Pilsner the best pilsner style in the world. The brewery includes a full-service restaurant - and an exclusive selection of Victory brews on tap. The brewery offers free tours Fridays and Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. 420 Acorn Lane, Downingtown, (610) 873-0881 Map, Directions and Phone Number
Yards Brewing Company
Established in 1994, this craft brewery occupies the 40,000 square-foot former bottling house of the old Weisbrod and Hess Oriental Brewing Company, which closed in 1939. Today, Yards produces five different beers year round, including Philadelphia Pale Ale, Extra Special, India Pale Ale, Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale and General Washington Tavern Porter. Seasonally Yards brews Saison Belgian-inspired Summer Ale and Yards Love Stout. Free tours on Saturdays, 12 noon-3:00 p.m. 2439 Amber Street, (215) 634-2600 Map, Directions and Phone Number