Top Bars Serving Seasonal Beers In Philadelphia
Fall means crisp weather, cozy sweaters, football and fall brews. Pale ales and beers with citrus notes are replaced by fresh hops, darker ales and pumpkin-flavored brews. Gather some friends and visit these Philadelphia spots to imbibe tasty fall beers that celebrate the season.
Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19114
(215) 634-3338
www.frankfordhall.com
Stephen Starr's beer garden, Frankford Hall, has become a Fishtown favorite, particularly in the fall. With over 18 heat lamps and an impressive fire pit, you can eat and drink outside well into the end of the season. To get in an autumnal mood, enjoy one of the local Oktoberfests, traditional German brews or pumpkin beers on the menu. Great beer-drinking food like burgers, sausages and pretzels, as well as ping pong tables and games such as Jenga and Uno, make Frankford Hall the perfect place to gather with friends on a nice fall night.
City Tap House
The Radian Balcony
3925 Walnut St.
Philadephia, PA 19104
(215) 662-0105
www.citytaphouse.com
This University City spot is just a short walk from both the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, making it a top spot for college students. On beautiful fall days, be sure to check out the equally beautiful outdoor seating area featuring fire pits and an exceptional view overlooking Walnut Street. Boasting one of Philly's largest draft beer lists (60 taps!), City Tap House is a prime place for beer lovers. It's known for acquiring rare craft brews such as Lavery's Stingy Jack and Stoudts Pumpkinfest. On Sunday, October 13, City Tap House will host one of the largest pumpkin beer festivals on the East Coast with featured Washington brewery Elysian Brewing Company. Live music, contests, loads of fall beer and a 250-pound pumpkin make this an event you won't want to miss.
Field House
1150 Filbert St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 629-1520
www.fieldhousephilly.com
For many Philadelphians, fall means football. And with plenty of game day specials, the largest projection screen in Center City and over 35 HDTVs, Field House is the ideal spot for college football and Eagles games. The Field House boasts 40 taps pouring local beers, including seasonal favorites like Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, and a menu of elevated bar classics such as cheesesteak dumplings. Keep an eye out for news about Fresh Hop Fest, an afternoon dedicated to some of the best harvest and fresh hops beers.
Prohibition Taproom
501 N. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 238-1818
www.theprohibitiontaproom.com
Despite its easy-to-miss location between Callowhill and Spring Garden, Prohibition Taproom is emerging as a favorite neighborhood bar. The draft list is simple, with just eight lines and a hand pump, but it makes up in quality what it lacks in quantity. There's also a wide selection of bottles available. To keep things interesting, a mystery keg is unveiled every Wednesday night after a series of clues on Twitter and Facebook leading up to the reveal. These are typically inspired by the season, with favorites from last fall including The Bruery Autumn Maple and Sly Fox Oktoberfest. On Sunday nights, you're invited to bring your own vinyl (BYOV) to play on the turntables. Participants receive 20 percent off their bill.
Standard Tap
901 N. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 238-0630
www.standardtap.com
Standard Tap is the place to go for local brews and food. This Northern Liberties favorite features an ever-changing menu of hearty plates made with the best seasonal produce. Items change often, so updates are posted on chalkboards throughout the bar. Paying tribute to the award-winning craft breweries located in Philadelphia and the surrounding area, Standard Tap only offers locally produced draft beers. The selection includes plenty of seasonal favorites from breweries such as Sly Fox, Stoudts and Dogfish Head. With a recently updated tap system, there are 20 beers to choose from every day, including two cask-conditioned brews that are served from hand pumps.
Related: Top Craft Beer Bars In Philadelphia
The Institute Bar
549 N. 12th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(267) 318-7772
www.institutebar.com
On Saturday, October 5, The Institute celebrates fall with a huge pumpkin beer festival. The 5th Annual Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin Festival will feature a whopping 80+ pumpkin beers, ciders, lambics and sours, a number of which are brews made by Brew Works exclusively for the occasion. The festivities kick off with an all-you-can-eat pumpkin brunch from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tickets are $12 per person. At 11 a.m., the street is closed off and concession stands and tables take over the area. Pay as you go while enjoying fall food, drinks and even hay rides. If you're not a beer fan, Jim Bean and Pinnacle will also be there mixing creative pumpkin cocktails.
Michelle Hein is a copy editor for a women's fashion company in Bucks County by day and a self-proclaimed food and drink fanatic by night and weekend. She enjoys attending wine classes, trying new recipes in the kitchen and going to old favorites and new restaurants alike in the Bucks County and Philadelphia area. If the writing gig doesn't pan out, she constantly dreams of owning her own bakery...perhaps connected to the restaurant/bar that her lawyer boyfriend would love to open.
