The Philadelphia beer scene took home 10Best awards, see who won

James Powel, USA TODAY
·2 min read

One of America's hottest beer scenes is just a trip north on Interstate 95.

Philadelphia placed four times in four different USA Today 10Best reader's choice beer categories.

Here's what the experts had to say about the City of Brotherly Love's beer scene.

Clouds pass over the Schuylkill River and city skyline on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, in Philadelphia.
Clouds pass over the Schuylkill River and city skyline on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, in Philadelphia.

Best Beer City: Philadelphia

The City of Brotherly Love is a hard-drinking town — ask anyone who’s been on South Street during last call — and more and more Philadelphians are focusing their efforts on enjoying the area’s impressive craft brews. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of top-notch beer bars, from the much-lauded Monk’s Cafe to the equally impressive City Tap House. Yards Brewing Company is the city’s most popular craft brewery, and there are several smaller outfits that have popped up in recent years. Perhaps it’s the year-round event calendar that sets Philly’s beer scene apart. Spanning 10 days, Philly Beer Week is the country’s oldest and biggest event of its kind.

Best Beer Bar: Monk's Corner

Advertised as "the soul of Belgium in the heart of Philadelphia," Monk's Cafe prioritizes fine beer. Their Beer Bible is a guide to help bargoers select the beer that best fits their palate, choosing from over 200 bottles and 25 taps.

Best Beer Festival: Philly Bierfest

Philadelphia's German Society founded this German-inspired bierfest in 2011 to honor the state's cultural and historical connection to Germany. The one-day event hosts Pennsylvania brewers who are creating traditional German-style brews and features German importers. Expert Gary Monterosso shares: "Since the return from the pandemic [hiatus], this event has emerged as one of the best."

Best Beer Garden: Love City Gardens

All are welcome and celebrated at Love City Brewing, a popular brewery and beer garden created to bring Philadelphians together in their love of both their city and craft beer. Love City Gardens offers Love City brews, both canned and on tap, as well as a number of cocktails, wines, ciders, and mocktails. Guests can grab delicious bites from the Viva food truck.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What are the best Philadelphia bars and breweries? 10Best reader picks