The Craft Brewers Conference, is for those of us in the industry, the most important event of the year. And this year it’s taking place in Philadelphia, a great city to visit and a great beer town. So when do you do step away, and take a breather, from the CBC’s many seminars and forums, we’ve some places you might want to check out.
Visit Some Of Philadelphia’s Many Historic Neighborhoods
One of the things that makes Philly so cool is its many diverse neighborhoods. Within walking distance of Pennsylvania Convention Center, where the CBC is taking place, you can stroll through the Penn’s Landing part of the city which is actually made up of three different and very cool neighborhoods – Old City, Society Hill and Queen Village.
Old City and Society Hill encompass Independence National Historic Park, including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center and other tourist attractions.
Queen Village, originally named Southwark, was settled by Swedes in 1642, 40 years before William Penn and the English arrived. And since Southwark was outside the city borders until 1854, and away from the activities that Quakers leaders frowned upon — theater, gambling and other dubious entertainments flourished. Today you still can find all kinds of delights in Queens Village, great restaurants, tree-lined streets and architecture which ranges from hip and trendy loft housing to classic Victorian. And again all this is just a short walk away from the Convention Center.
Eat Like A Philadelphian
Philly’s a great food town with a vast array of option. From Haute cuisine served up by some the nation’s hottest young chefs, to its street and farmer’s market foods edibles, this city has it all.
Rich Landau, 2015’s Best Chef of the Year, according to Philadelphia Magazine presents the finest in vegetarian cuisine in the at Vedge, and he’s just opened another place that everybody’s talking about on V Street.
But no trip to Philly is ever complete without chowing down on their iconic Cheesesteaks, which is also great hangover food by the way. Who serves up the best Philly Cheesesteak is the subject of constant debate in this city, but rest assured, you can find them all over the city. For the true cheesesteak experience, we suggest its originator, Pat’s King of Steaks in South Philly – you won’t be disappointed.
Drink Philly’s Best
Like any great city Philadelphia has too many terrific bars to count…and we apologize ahead of time for leaving so many deserving venues out. But here are three that we absolutely love.
Led by a team that operates three popular city bars, the City Tap House on Walnut Street, offers up 60 taps of the region’s most serious craft beers. The beer steward comes from Bridgid’s, one of Philly’s most beloved beer bars.
If Belgian beers are your thing, you need to hit up Monk’s Café has been named “One of the Top Five Places in the World to Have a Beer Before You Die” by All About Beer magazine.
But if you like to drink “old-school” you absolutely don’t want to miss The Grey Lodge Pub in Northeast Philadelphia. They’re famous for their “Friday the Firkinteenth” firkin party, a Weekend Pick favorite of ours, held appropriately, every Friday the 13th.
Enjoy Music At One Of Philly’s Legendary Venues
Philadelphia has some of the nation’s best music venues to enjoy when you’re out on the town, rockin it and we’ve a couple that you don’t want to miss
A spin-off of the beloved public radio station WXPN, which is also shares the same building, World Cafe Live is a community space for independent music and thinking. It has two music stages several bars and a restaurant and showcases the smartest talent in the country
The Electric Factory, at 7th and Willow, is a local legend for music. Housed in a converted electric factory, this two-story industrial rock house is always a great place to see the bigger touring bands and always a righteous hang. Champion and Surly Brewing will be presenting Mastodon there, on Thursday night (5/5). We’re gonna be there and you need to come too!
So have a blast while you’re in Philly and behave yourself…we’re begging you.