Johnny Brenda’s
This revived watering hole in Fishtown is the northern outpost of the popular Standard Tap, a neighborhood spot made over to comply with a locals-only beer policy (see below). A chalkboard menu’s offerings include swordfish kebabs, sausage sandwiches, shoestring fries, grilled calamari and mushroom spring rolls. Frankford & Girard Avenues, (215) 739-9684 Map, Directions and Phone Number
London Grill
This upscale neighborhood restaurant and bar in the city’s Fairmount section serves hand-pumped microbrews plus Stoudts-brewed Willie Sutton Ale, named after an infamous former resident of the neighboring Eastern State Penitentiary.
2301 Fairmount Avenue, (215) 978-4545 Map, Directions and Phone Number
McGillin’s Old Ale House
In the shadow of City Hall, this 145-year-old tavern - Philadelphia’s longest operating publick house - gets its signature Genuine Lager and Real Ale from Stoudt’s Brewing Company in Adamstown, Pennsylvania. McGillin’s serves more Stoudt’s draft beers than any other tavern in Pennsylvania. 1310 Drury Street, between Chestnut & Sansom Streets and 13th & Juniper Streets, (215) 735-5562 Map, Directions and Phone Number
Society Hill Restaurant and Bar
Straub Beer is now on tap at the Society Hill Restaurant and Bar. Society Hill offers outstanding atmosphere to enjoy their exceptional food and, of course, ice cold Straub Beer. Society Hill is located at 301 Chestnut Street, downtown Philadelphia. So if you are in the mood for great food and an ice cold Straub Beer, head downtown to Society Hill Restaurant and Bar. (215) 923-3711 Map, Directions and Phone Number
Standard Tap
The first pub to latch on hard to Philly’s craft brewing upswing, this Northern Liberties neighborhood spot has done nothing but grow since it opened its doors. The Tap’s menu - fried smelts, chicken pot pies, hangar steaks and fries - is written daily on hanging chalkboards and coordinates perfectly with its selection of exclusively local brews from Yards (Philadelphia), Victory (Downingtown, Pennsylvania), Flying Fish (Cherry Hill, New Jersey), Tröegs (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), Stoudt’s (Lancaster County), Sly Fox (Phoenixville and Royersford, Pennsylvania), Dogfish Head (Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, Delaware), Legacy Brewing (Reading, Pennsylvania), McKenzie Brewhouse (Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania), Weyerbacher (Easton, Pennsylvania), Appalachian (Gettysburg and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), Heavyweight Brewing Co. (Ocean Township, New Jersey). 901 N. 2nd Street, (215) 238-0630 Map, Directions and Phone Number
Sources for this Article:
The Alcoholic Republic by Professor W. J. Rorabaugh
Brewing in Colonial America from the North American Brewers Association
Ed Mauger's Philadelphia on Foot Tours
Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation