Brew-Crazy Saturday: 5 Beer Events to Choose From

By Danya Henninger

A weekend in late May in the Philadelphia region can only mean one thing: beer, beer and more beer. Add in the fact that it’s American Craft Beer Week and you’ve got a slew of festivals and events taking place on Saturday, May 19. If you’re looking for some outdoor fun (the weather's slated to be absolutely gorgeous), check out these options to choose from.

Brandywine Valley Craft Brewers Festival: For the 12th year running, the Media, PA, outpost of Iron Hill Brewery will host this showcase of regional breweries. Live music will play at the outdoor fest, which is a fundraiser for the Media Youth Center. Cop a ticket for $45 ($50 at the gate) to enjoy unlimited sips and samples from Flying Fish, Nodding Head, Victory, Weyerbacher, Yards and many more, accompanied by pay-as-you-go eats from the Iron Hill kitchen (1-5 PM; 30 E. State St.; 610-627-9000).

Greater Northeast Philadelphia Beer Festival: Alternately, head north to the Cannstatter Volksfest Verein banquet hall on Academy Road to sample over 50 different brews at this sudsy outdoor shindig. The live music will be rocking, snacks will be on sale and you can even watch cigars being rolled by hand. Your $30 entry fee ($35 at the gate) includes a commemorative tasting glass plus all the beer you care to sample (1-5 PM; 9130 Academy Rd.).

SPTR Wheat Beer Fest: Back inside the city, Newbold tavern South Philadelphia Tap Room is kicking off its sixth-annual springtime street celebration at noon, featuring $3 “wheaties” all day long. Strengthen your spirit with easy-drinking faves like Philadelphia Brewing Co. Fleur de Lehigh, Allagash White and Sixpoint Apollo Wheat while listening to live tunes and basking in the South Philly sun (1509 Mifflin St.; 215-271-7787).

Varga Bar’s All-American Beer BBQ: Wash West gastropub Varga Bar is recognizing both ACBW and Armed Forces Day with an all-afternoon party to benefit the USO. From 11-7 PM, look for specials on Dogfish Head bottles and drafts as chef Evan Turney mans the grill and offers up pay-as-you-go platters of babybacks, Black Angus burgers, corn on the cob and more. Bonus: a weekend happy hour from 1-3 PM will bring even better deals (941 Spruce St.; 627-5200).

PBR Dog Day Afternoon: Old City’s Philadelphia Bar & Restaurant is bringing our four-legged friends in on the craft brew fun with a block party benefiting no-kill shelters PAWS and the Vorhees Animal Orphanage of NJ. The BYOD (bring your own dog, of course) event will feature specials on creative cocktails, raffle prizes, hot dogs, sliders and an assortment of brews from Flying Dog Brewery (noon-7 PM; 120 Market St.; 215-925-7691).