This is the second installment of our Philly Beer Week Preview Series. Click here to read the first regarding Tap Takeovers.
Now that you’ve had a great dinner or two and a plethora of beer from the professionals during this year’s Philly Beer Week, it’s time to explore the other side of brewing the city has to offer—the home brewers. There are plenty of events and competitions featuring local men and women who love to brew in their homes, so check out these events to do what you can to support them and discover a new brew.
TOP FIVE HOME BREW EVENTS
Super Secret Beer Concert Series at Philadelphia Mausoleum of Contemporary Art
Thursday, June 9 | 7:30pm – 10:30pm | $10
Up-and-coming nano breweries Mellody Brewing and St. Benjamin Brewing Company will each feature three beers while local band TJ Kong plays. Tickets are available for cash only at the door, and all proceeds will go to benefit PhilaMOCA. St. Benjamin will be bringing their Troubleshooter Pale Ale, Chocolate Brown Ale and Wit or Witout, a Belgian Wit. Mellody Brewing will have their Ryeghteous Brown Ale, Patersbier, and a brand new pale ale, all cask-conditioned. $10 for beer and a concert will probably be the best deal you’ll get all week, so don’t pass this one up!
Beer Camp Philly at Jamaican Jerk Hut
Saturday, June 4 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm | $35
In what could be Philadelphia’s premier home brewing event of Beer Week, ten teams brewed together to produce over 200 gallons of 20+ beers for you to try. While $35 may seem steep for homebrewed beer, you also get food from Jamaican Jerk Hut and a Beer Camp pint glass. There are also a small amount of $50 tickets that will get you access to an extra hour of beer and food during the “Brewer’s Hour” from 5:00-6:00pm. Only 25 are available, so act quickly! Tickets can be purchased here.
Extreme Homebrew Challenge at Jose Pistola’s
Monday, June 6 | 7:00pm – 10:00pm | $15
The duo behind Philly’s notable homebrew store, Home Sweet Homebrew, Nancy Rigberg and George Hummel (who is also the author of “The Complete Homebrew Beer Book) will join Dogfish Head’s one and only Sam Calagione for an Extreme Homebrew Challenge. Guests will pay $15, which gets you unlimited homebrew and snacks as well as the chance to join Sam as judge to decided the winner of the competition. The Peoples’ Choice beer winners will then go on to Sam, who will choose one to be brewed at the Dogfish Head Brewery and entered into the Pro Am category at the Great American Beer Fest. Come out and help someone realize their dream!
Barely Legal Homebrewers Meet and Greet at The Bottle Shop
Sunday, June 4 | 2:00pm – 4:30pm | $10
A collection of home brewers will gather at The Bottle Shop to answer questions, give demonstrations, talk shop, and let you sample their beers. What could be better than that? Snacks will be provided as well, and tickets will be available in advance or at the door.
The Joes Take Over for the Pros at The Drafting Room Taproom and Grille
Wednesday, June 8 | 6:00pm – 12:00am | PAYG
The Drafting Room Taproom and Grille will be teaming up with Artisan Homebrew of Downingtown and Buzz Homebrew Club to allow some of the area’s award-winning home brewers to take over the taps at The Drafting Room with a variety of styles. Donations will be accepted all night in benefit of the SPCA.
