Greater Philadelphia’s brewery scene continues to grow despite the many challenges COVID-19 brought to small business owners. Over the last several months, the region has welcomed five more new or expanded spots. There have been refreshing pivots from craft-beer pioneers (Iron Hill Brewery & Taphouse in Exton) to homebrewers making the leap to professional brewing (Wrong Crowd Beer Co., Simple Days Beer).
In 2021, the region’s craft beer trail is set to get even longer. Beer fans can look forward to checking out Victory Brewing Company’s massive new taproom right on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Cartesian Brewing’s new spot opposite of Pat’s and Geno’s steak shops and Free Will Brewing’s latest regional location (this time in the lobby of a movie theater). And they can finally purchase cans from Two Locals Brewing Company, Philadelphia’s first Black-owned craft brewery.
Trips to all of the breweries along the Craft Beer Trail of Greater Philadelphia are best paired with adventures along the way — a trip to a magnificent garden, a pocket museum, a hiking trail, a historic park and so much more.
Here’s a look at some of the recently opened or expanded breweries, along with those that will make their debut soon:
Recently Opened Or Expanded Breweries:
- Two Locals Brewing Company: How’s this for exciting: Philadelphia’s first Black-owned craft brewery now has cans available for purchase. Started by Richard and Mengistu Koilorwill, Two Locals Brewing Companyrecently struck a deal with FCM Hospitality to brew, can and produce their beers using Mainstay Brewing Company’s equipment. Two Locals’ beers — the Nubian brown ale and Prolific hazy IPA, to start — are available to order online for pick up at Craft Hall in Northern Liberties. Come late March 2021, craft beer fans can also pick up Two Locals’ beers via delivery through the BierMe app and via in-store purchase at select bottle shops, bars and restaurants in the area.
- Stolen Sun Craft Brewery & Roasting Company – This Exton brewery opened in 2019, but the brewery got a major upgrade in January 2021 when it more than doubled its consumer-facing footprint. Patrons can now expect 10,000 square feet of space to enjoy 15 craft beers on tap; barbecue, Tex-Mex and elevated pub fare; and live music most Thursdays through Sundays — all while remaining socially distanced and safe. A Stolen Sun experience pairs best with a visit to the new Iron Hill Brewery & Taphouse (see below) and/or some shopping and dining in West Chester, located just 12 minutes south. Opened January 2021.
- Iron Hill Brewery & TapHouse – Prolific regional brew-sters Iron Hill Brewing Company closed out 2020 by opening their 19th location, TapHouse in Exton, Chester County. The TapHouse is home to the company’s first full-scale production facility, increasing brewing capacity and allowing the team to move canning operations in-house. Even longtime Iron Hill fans can expect a different experience at the Exton location, which features a new fast-casual model for food to accompany the more than 30 craft beers on tap. Opened December 2020.
- Simple Days Beer – This brewery calls East Greenville — located in the northernmost part of Montgomery County — home. Look for crisp, clean takes on IPAs, stouts, brown ales and more, created by head brewer and owner Chris Hink and his team. The brewery opened in November 2020 for to-go sales only; they’ll open for onsite beer consumption on weekends beginning April 10. Opened November 2020.
- Wrong Crowd Beer Co. – Two friends and home brewers — Dan Shaw (formerly of Pinocchio’s Beer Garden To Go in Media) and Bob Bagonis — partnered with restaurant industry vets — Kelly McGonagle and Kara Dougherty — to bring Wrong Crowd Beer Co. to West Chester. Expect a new brew every Friday, nearly a dozen draft beers and cans to go. Bonus: Pizza made with housemade dough is on the menu. Wrong Crowd joins a West Chester brew scene that includes Levante and outposts of Sterling Pig and Iron Hill. Opened November 2020.
- Ship Bottom Beer Garden at Wake Coffee Roasters – Ship Bottom Brewery’s main digs may be in Beach Haven, New Jersey, but their beverages are no stranger to Greater Philadelphia residents and visitors thanks to a beer garden at Linvilla Orchards (open since 2018) and, as of September 2020, another beer garden at Wake Coffee Roasters in Ambler. Visitors to the open-air space can expect draft beer, can pours, to-go beer and, most intriguingly, a hard seltzer bar where patrons can build their own seltzer by infusing flavors of their choosing. Responsible imbibers can pair a Ship Bottom visit with one of the other craft breweries that call Ambler home (Forest & Main, Tannery Run and Ambler Beer Company), while folks with kids in tow are just 10 minutes from LEGOland Discovery Center. Opened September 2020.
Coming Soon:
Philadelphia:
- Come summer 2021, home brewer Evan Roth plans to open a local origin brewery in South Philly — right across the street from Pat’s and Geno’s — called Cartesian Brewing.
- On the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Downingtown-based Victory Brewery Company makes its first foray into the city via a 14,000-square-foot former TGI Fridays with two inside bars and one outside, a full from-scratch kitchen, sidewalk seating, a rooftop patio and a seven-barrel production, set to open in mid- to late-2021.
Bucks County:
- Aristaeus Craft Brewing Co. will feature a 12-tap system that serves a variety of beers and hand-crafted nitro cold brew coffees, as well as specialty cocktails in Langhorne.
- Great Barn Brewery will launch its second location, dubbed the Great Barn Taphouse, in April in The Shops at Valley Square in Warrington, offering 30 taps and live music.
- Mystic Ways Brewing and Van Lieus Brewing are set to become the second and third breweries in Perkasie, joining the lauded Free Will Brewing Co. in town.
Montgomery County:
- Free Will Brewing opens its third Greater Philadelphia location, this time in Souderton in the lobby of the Broad Theater.
- Speaking of expansions, Phoenixville’s Rebel Hill Brewing adds a second location in Mont Clare in collaboration with Lock 29 along the Schuylkill River in spring 2021.
VISIT PHILADELPHIA® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.
On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets. 6th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676
Note to Editors: For high-resolution photos and high-definition B-roll of Greater Philadelphia, visit the Photos & Video section of visitphilly.com/mediacenter.