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What's Cooking on 1060: Independence Beer Garden Ready For Year 3

By Hadas Kuznits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- We are well into Spring, with many people itching to start drinking and eating outside. One of the first outdoor pop-up beer gardens of the season is opening later this month.

Derek Gregory, Director of Operations at the Independence Beer Garden, says now in its third year, this pop-up at 6th and Market Streets has been an evolution.

"Year one, we were only open for a half a season, year two was our first full season," he says. "Year three, we really have a grip on what works and what the guests really want from us at the Independence Beer Garden."

derek gregory independence beer garden
(Credit: Marie DiFeliciantonio)

Gregory says what people want is good beer.

"We have some of our local drafts being Yards, Victory, Troggs, Nodding Head, Evil Genius and Yeungling," he says.

And the food?

"Spit-roasted lamb, our grilled chicken, we have a double-decker burger, kielbasa sandwich, a cheesesteak," Gregory says, "because we are in Philadelphia."

And games...

"Bocce ball, ping-pong, shuffle board, bag toss, checkers," he says, "our Jenga and giant Jenga sets, large Connect Four sets."

So what about the rise of the beer garden in Philadelphia?

"It's been a hit over these past couple of years," Gregory says. "Beer gardens have really taken off. Everyone wants to play games outside and enjoy a really nice relaxed atmosphere."

There may be a few soft opening days this week, but the Independence Beer Garden officially opens on April 21.

 

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