Philadelphia Weekly

Share this Story:

José Pistola’s

This Mexicana watering-hole wonder is just a block away from the legendary Monk’s. Casey Parker and Joe Gun left a lasting impression on the craft beer scene following Philadelphia Beer Week 2008 after hosting the brewing rock-star trifecta of Larry Bell, Adam Avery and Sam Calgione. They’ll have Calgione in again to team up with local homebrew hero George Hummel for an extreme home brewing event. When Parker’s not slinging beers, he’s singing. Make sure you end the week there; Parker’s special Beer Week band the White Wine Spritzers will perform a once-in-a-lifetime show. If you need a munch, try José Pistola’s carnitas nachos—quite possibly some of the city’s best.

Local 44

On my Beer Lass blog, I posted an entry titled “44 Things to Love About Local 44” because I think this place is so darn great. Located in West Philly at 44th and Spruce right in the backyard of publicans Brendan “Spanky” Hartranft and wife Leigh Maida is Philly’s newest beer bar. Hartranft is the witty beer guru, and Maida can whip up a graphic-design concept/logo for any event in the time it takes to pump a pint on a beer engine. Local 44’s website states, “We are a small craft beer bar with tasty chow and a killer jukebox.” The bar’s draft list isn’t small given that it’s pulling 20 taps, including two hand pumps. It also has one bottle—the bottle: Orval. The No. 1 nib is the fish tacos with plantain-encrusted mahi mahi. Look for more Beer Week events at the couple’s other bar, the Memphis Taproom, which will be featuring a no-repeat Beer Week and a breweriana vintage rummage sale of sorts. Sip and swap.

Earth Bread + Brewery

Many of you know Tom Baker, the former brewer/owner of New Jersey’s Heavyweight. This week head to Mt. Airy and meet Tom Baker, the new brewer/owner of Earth Bread + Brewery who’s turning flatbreads as often as he’s mashing in. All guest taps during Beer Week will be locally brewed. Baker has brewed Ober Spliner, a strong organic pilsner, especially for Triumph’s pilsner event on Thurs., March 12. To get there, take SEPTA’s R8 out to Allen Lane. It’s an eight-minute walk from there. Maybe Tom Waits’ “Downtown Train” will join the aroma of fresh-baked bread in greeting you as you arrive.

The Institute

Owners Heather and Charlie Collazo had their first date at the Franklin Institute. He probably had no idea at the time that the mother of five would one day spend her extremely limited free time seeking out Russian Imperial Stouts. The bar’s motto is, “Beer is fun.” They’ve made sure to live up to it, by installing six Wii booths, hosting monthly beer and cheese events, and having a bevy of board games on hand. The Institute has a nice selection of rotating beers ranging from Founder’s Backwoods Bastard and New Holland’s Dragon’s Milk to local loves like Philadelphia Brewing Company and Sly Fox. It opens at noon every day.

Devil’s Den

Five years ago, Erin and Scott Wallace would use the kitchen at their first bar, the Old Eagle, to homebrew. They’ve since gotten too busy to mess with the 5-gallon pot. A beaut of a wood-burning fireplace has kept their South Philly bar packed all winter. The half-priced happy hour certainly doesn’t burn the budget either. The Wallaces like their weizenbocks, but you’ll find plenty of variety on their 16-tap tower. They boast more than 100 bottles on their list, including rarities. They’ll be hosting Maudite Midnight Madness as the clock strikes 12 on the first day of Philadelphia Beer Week.

Prohibition Tap Room

Michael Pasquarello and his wife Jeniphur Whitleigh turned on their neon “BAR” sign for the first time on Nov. 1. The 13th and Buttonwood bar has eight taps and a hand pump that often pumps out YARDS ESA, but it also has a hefty bottle list. Chef Jim Henry’s ale-battered green beans take first place on the menu, but their kraut is worth a shout. During Beer Week drinkers can buy a Prohibition Tap Room pint glass and get it filled for up to four hours for $20. Pasquarello promises the beer lineup will change constantly throughout the week. On Saturday the 14th, he’ll host Oskar Blues for a “Beer Can Bling Fling.” Prohibition will bring in a DJ for that evening, but normally guests are happy with the jukebox, which often releases the sweet sounds of the Velvet Underground. The venue was rumored to have been a speakeasy during prohibition at a time when jukeboxes satisfied a music-hungry public.

Bella Vista Beer Distributor

The Fetfatzes family got a lot of attention when they moved their store and wholesale operation to the east side of 11th Street last September. Jordan Fetfatzes mentioned that someone referred to Bella Vista as the “Best Buy of beer distributors,” and they do aim to carry every label available in Pennsylvania. Since reopening they’ve hired a craft retail specialist, Brian Laurence, who’ll help beer buyers navigate the store. He’s is one of Philly’s most passionate palettes. Bella Vista is also gearing up for Beer 101s and launching a few new brands for Philadelphia Beer Week. Weed ales are coming to Philly from Northern California. They’ll be hosting a Six-Point night with nine beers on tap at Fergie’s. Patrick Rue of the famed “Bruery” will be in town. And they’ll be offering a sneak preview of one of the rarest beers in the world making its way to Philly, “T`gaverhopke 12,” which uses the same yeast strain as the elusive Westvleteren 12.