| Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant 4120 Main Street | Philadelphia, PA 19127 (215) 482-8220 www.manayunkbrewery.com |
Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant celebrated 20 years with the 18th Annual Manayunk BBQ, Bourbon, and Blues Craft Beer Fest on Saturday, April 23, 2016.
The VIPs started lining up as early as 11 AM with umbrellas and raincoats for the festivities. After doors opened at 11:45 AM, the skies cleared up, the sun was shining, and VIP ticket holders enjoyed one hour early access to limited release beers, top shelf bourbon samples, a custom event T-shirt, and a complimentary food item.
All ticket holders enjoyed unlimited samples of over 70 craft beers and bourbon samples in multiple serving areas from the downstairs restaurant space, the deck overlooking the Schuylkill River, as well as the large event space upstairs. While there were about 1,200 people in attendance, lines were short, and there was room to spread out.
Live blues music played all day long, including Blues and Classic Rock music by The Fermentors. Food available included whole pig pulled pork, grilled chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and veggie burgers, as well as Philly soft pretzels.
The breweries in attendance included 2nd Story Brewing Co., 2SP Brewing Company, Broken Goblet Brewing, Bullfrog Brewery, Cape May Brewing Company, Conshohocken Brewing Co., Dock Street Brewery, Double Nickel Brewing Co., Evil Genius Beer Company, Flying Fish Brewing Company, Hank’s Beverages, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Jack’s Hard Cider, Lancaster Brewing Company, McKenzie Brew House, Naked Brewing Company, Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, Old Forge Brewing Company, Philadelphia Brewing Co., Pizza Boy Brewing Co., River Horse Brewing Co., Round Guys Brewing Company and Pub, Saint Benjamin Brewing Company, Ship Bottom Brewery, Stable 12 Brewing Company, Sterling Pig Beer, Stoudts Brewing Company, The Other Farm Brewing Company, Tuckahoe Brewing Co., Weyerbacher Brewing, and Yards Brewing Co.
Some beers worth highlighting from the event included Turtle Gut, a 5% ABV American Sour from Cape May Brewing Company, Blood Money, a 6.7% ABV Blood Orange IPA from Conshohocken Brewing Company, Perpetua Crusher, a 4.9% ABV Session IPA from 2nd Story Brewing, and Golden Child, a 5.7% ABV American-Style Brett Beer from Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant.
Attendees could also sample any beer from Manayunk Brewery. I especially enjoyed Upshitz Kriek, an 8% ABV Belgian-style Sour, Brett the Hitman, a 5% ABV Brett Golden Ale, and Siembra Rouge, a Sour Red Ale Aged in White Oak Tequila Barrels (Yes, I really like Evan’s sours!).
Missed this year’s festival? Stop by Manayunk Brewery every Saturday in 2016, from noon to 2 PM, for a free tour of the brewery and tasting to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
Cheers to Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant! I look forward to what the next two decades bring!
