Philadelphia Weekly

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Even if you’ve still got the detox shakes and self-loathing that comes from a full-tilt celebration of Oktoberfest, don’t run off to rehab just yet. Feed your inner booze hound and try out some of these well-respected Philadelphia beer halls. We are, don’t forget, the best beer-drinking city in America and you wouldn’t want to be responsible for ruining our reputation.

If You Still Haven’t Been There
Hailed at the top of Foobooz’ recent best bar list is Standard Tap (901 N. Second St. 215.238.0630)—and for good reason. A stalwart of the Northern Liberties beer scene, serving great regional drafts like Stoudt’s Oktoberfest and Troeg’s Dreamweaver Wheat, the Tap is so much more than just a great beer bar. Their unpretentious chalkboard menu is constantly evolving with gastronomic selections like a duck liver mousse that’s sweet, rich and creamy. Served with a salad of gherkins, red onion and whole grain mustard, it’s a dish definitely worth Tweeting about. 12 C K L

If It’s Not Wine Time
We’ve always gone to Tria (1137 Spruce St. 215.629.9200) to scratch our eclectic wine itch but we’ve recently started going when we get jonesin’ for good beer. With drafts like the high gravity Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA and the malty, Bavarian-style Thomas Hooker Oktoberfest on offer as well as close to 20 bottled beers from breweries as far away as Japan and as close as Delaware Ave, this Gayborhood café will make even the most hardcore beer addict happy. 6 K

If You’ve Heard the Rumors
We’ve read some complaints about the service, but when we bellied up to the bar at Varga Bar (941 Spruce St. 215.627.6200.) the hospitality poured from their bartender as freely as the craft beer poured from the taps. They helped us pair our mussels and cockles (some of the best we’ve ever had) with an Ommegang Rare Vos, a fruity but spicy Belgian style beer that went perfectly with the broth we slurped from our bowl. 12 C K

If You’re Polite Company
It’s nearly impossible to stay sober at the German beer hall Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South St. 267.909.8814). It’s kind of a cultural thing, like wearing your shoes in a Japanese home or not recognizing the societal superiority of the British. It’s just not done. But you’ll find following cultural norms here as easy as Heidi Klum after a couple of Jagermeisters. These guys serve up what look like milk jug-sized steins of their house brew, Stoudt’s Gold Lager, “widely recognized as finest German-style beers brewed in America,” alongside Spaten’s malty Oktoberfest. Don’t forget to pair it with some house-fermented sauerkraut. Prost! 12 K

If You Rise From the Ashes
The newest kid to the beer bar block is Resurrection Ale House (2425 Gray’s Ferry Ave. 215.735.2202). Opened by the ambitious crew behind Memphis Taproom and Local 44, this locale is decidedly food-focused. With hoisin ribs, twice-fried chicken and white anchovies on egg salad, the menu is tasty if not a bit schizophrenic. The choices are focused and beer freak friendly with local heroes like the Yards Brawler pouring next to California’s Port Brewing Panzer Pils. 12 K L

If You’re in the Neighborhood
Memphis Taproom (2331 E. Cumberland St. 215.425.4460) not only pours exciting beers like the roasted coffee/chocolatey Duck Rabbit Schwarzbier, they serve out-of-the-ordinary food like the Welsh-inspired beef and onion pasties made with short ribs and horseradish. They also host interesting events including Saturday’s Great American Bake Sale benefiting Share Our Strength, an organization focused on feeding American children. Stop by to have a brew, chomp a pasty and enjoy some baked goods. 6 C K L