1. Local 44 - Best Drafts
Photo by Andre Natta via Creative Commons.
Providing a much-needed injection of suds into the less-than-stellar West Philadelphia bar scene, Local 44 features an ever-changing roster of craft-brewed beers on tap, as well as one — that's right, one — beer in a bottle.
4333 Spruce St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-2337
2. Nodding Head - Best Brewpub
The beers change by season, but Nodding Head always offers a wide range of beers from Monkey Knife Fight (a blonde lager with Asian-influenced spicing) to IPA to Grog (a dark session beer), plus delicious food.
1516 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 569-9525
3. Johnny Brenda's - Best Local Beer
So many bars in Philadelphia focus on beer brewed in Pennsylvania that it makes it hard to choose just one to highlight. But Johnny Brenda's ever-changing PA-focused beer list, gastropub eats and upstairs show space make it an ideal destination for an evening out.
1201 Frankford Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 739-9684
4. Oscar's Tavern - Best Cheap Beer
Oscar's solid placement in the "dive bar" category means it won't win any awards for looks or variety. But if cheap is what you're going for, they do offer 23-oz., $3 Yuengling Lagers.
1524 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 972-9938
5. The Grey Lodge Pub - Best Variety
If you doubt the Grey Lodge Pub's commitment to beer, take a look at the bar's website, where they update the beer list so frequently that they recommend refreshing your browser to see what's on tap. Voted one of the Fifty Best Beer Bars by Beer Advocate Magazine.
6235 Frankford Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19135
(215) 825-5357
6. Tria - Best Pairings
Sure, everybody knows that wine and cheese pair well together...but what about cheese and beer? At Tria's two locations, the waitstaff can guide you to the perfect cheese to go with your suds. One-time winner of the Beer List category in Philadelphia Magazine's Best of Philly. Make sure to stop by on Sundays when they offer one of their beers for half off.
123 S. 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 972-8742
1137 Spruce St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 629-9200
7. Monk's - Best Belgian
Philly had a Belgian explosion a few years ago, leading to a myriad of delicious, beer-filled Belgian cafes. But Monk's has the selection and the awards (it was voted one of the "Top 10 Places in the World to Have a Beer Before You Die" by All About Beer Magazine) to keep it at the top of the list.
626 S 16th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 545-7005
8. Sidecar - Best Events
In addition to their everyday selection of great craft beers, the Sidecar also offers special events (like high-gravity beer night, featuring beers at 9% ABV or above), a regular Thursday happy hour with Abita beers from New Orleans and happy-hour prices all the time for people who can prove they work in the bar and restaurant industry.
2201 Christian St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 732-3429
9. Jose Pistola's - Best Wildcard
You wouldn't necessarily expect a Mexican restaurant to have one of the best beer selections in the city, but with its ever-changing drafts ranging from midwestern IPAs to pear ciders and more, Jose Pistola's defies expectations.
263 S 15th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 545-4101
10. The Foodery - Best Not Actually a Bar
© Meg Favreau
All right, the Foodery isn't technically a bar; it's a store. But it's a store where you can create your own six pack choosing from a selection of 800+ beers ranging from rare to pedestrian.
837 N 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 238-6077
324 S 10th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 928-1111