‘South Philly, West of Broad St.’ named as one of the country’s great beer ‘hoods’

East Passyunk Avenue is well-known as a destination for high-quality foods, but is West Passyunk and the general area west of Broad Street becoming a beer lover’s destination?

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According to DRAFT Magazine, a publication dedicated to all things beer, “South Philly, West of Broad St.” is one of the country’s best “hoods” for quality beers.

Crossing over Broad Street on the west side these days puts you in touch with a whole new group of developments. New businesses have been popping up all over West Passyunk Avenue and beyond. There’s the new Indian restaurant, record store and other businesses opening on the west. While there’s certainly plenty of new things happening in that area, is it becoming the place to be for beer lovers?

Beer-wise there are some great developments popping up. Brewery ARS is coming soon to 1927 W. Passyunk Ave. and that mystery property in Newbold could be something along the lines of a brew pub. The area has even tapped into the street festival scene with an event called South Philly Sausage Fest that serves craft beer from breweries around Philadelphia.

An excerpt from DRAFT:

“This isn’t the name of a ’hood, but more the western quadrant of the city made up of several neighborhoods. They’re culturally diverse, working-class neighborhoods that are experiencing significant gentrification with businesses (and beer) following suit. Overall, there’s not tons of stuff yet, but it’s ready to explode given the recent additions.” –Jared Littman, founder of Philly Tap Finder

The article also notes area business, including South Philly Tap Room, Taproom on 19th, American Sardine Bar and Brew.

Do you think the west side of Broad Street is becoming a beer neighborhood?

13 thoughts on “‘South Philly, West of Broad St.’ named as one of the country’s great beer ‘hoods’

  • May 2, 2016 at 11:33 am
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    Umm… no. Not even close.

    Besides Longacre, inc., what else is there?? Taproom on 19th is ok, but it’s not a beer “destination”. Even SPTR pales in comparison to the POPE in terms of beer. Fountain Porter probably has the best curated tap list the city. Brigantessa’s foray into Italian craft beers is beyond unique.
    Plus would at 2:00 AM, would you rather walk home from Passyunk & Dickinson or 18th & Federal….

  • May 2, 2016 at 11:50 am
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    Not yet, but hopefully soon. West Passyunk Ave. is crazy ripe for big things and it will happen. Plus, it’s also very safe—at least south of Snyder and in Newbold.

  • May 2, 2016 at 11:51 am
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    to Lou_100x, Madira has an outstanding beer list and menu.

  • May 2, 2016 at 1:28 pm
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    Acme at 19th & Oregon has a good selection of craft beers

  • May 2, 2016 at 11:43 pm
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    How does 18,000 SF in a historic building in Newbold with a private cobblestone courtyard zoned I-2 where brewing of alcoholic beverages is a by-right use sound? Perfect for a craft-beer co-op, a huge expansion for a growing microbrewery or the largest brew pub in Philadelphia? We can make it happen! Anyone with ideas, or know of a thriving brewery looking to expand, give me a call at 215-570-3696

    • May 3, 2016 at 9:57 pm
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      If I win big playing Monopoly at Acme I’m calling you.

  • May 3, 2016 at 6:20 am
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    This sounds more like a paid sponsorship for the owner of sptr/american sardine bar.

    • May 3, 2016 at 9:52 am
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      Yeah… actually it is a paid sponsorship. The banner ad is for SPTR!

      @PS: yes, Madira has a decent selection, but not nearly a “destination” level. The POPE is the benchmark for “beer destination” for South Philly, with Fountain Porter a close second.

      • May 3, 2016 at 5:27 pm
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        Fountain Porter really wets my whistle – I think we’re all winners here in this “argument” but it edges POPE (which I still love). @ FP I’ve had Grimm, Hill Farmstead on the regular, Carton products constantly, Omnipollo, Tired Hands for days, tons and tons of (non-Daisey Cutter) Half Acre products, Pizza Boy and all the usual local suspects you can dream of.

      • May 6, 2016 at 8:58 am
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        POPE is the Apple of gastropubs. This article had nothing to do with POPE, yet POPE had to be brought up and praised multiple times in the comment section!

        • May 13, 2016 at 1:37 pm
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          Does that make you a cantaloupe or an eggplant?

          The article mentions beer, it’s not an abstract connection.

          • May 16, 2016 at 10:30 am
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            It makes you a fanboy.

  • May 30, 2016 at 5:30 pm
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    Another bar is needed? What’s wrong with a small neighborhood staying residential in the city only having houses and a corner store…. instead of gastro pub, restaurants, starbucks, vintage stores? Hipsters claim they love ethnic or unique original neighborhoods, but they are the first ones to want to change it.

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