Press release… Recognized by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards as one of the TOP 10 BEER FESTIVALS OF 2023, the German Society of Pennsylvania will once again host their renowned, world-class beer tasting event Philly Bierfest on Saturday, February 24 from 2:00pm to 5:30pm. As always, this unique event is presented in partnership with two additional non-profit beneficiaries: the ferocious female athletes of Philly Roller Derby and the Brewers of Pennsylvania, a trade association that advocates for PA brewers and beer lovers and aims to foster a healthy, ethical, and growth-focused beer industry in our state.
This year’s highly anticipated 11th Annual Philly Bierfest will feature six floors of fabulous activities across two historic buildings plus additional outdoor attractions in the German Society’s glorious gated garden:
- Over 50 German-style beers from 25 Pennsylvania craft brewers in the PA Beer Hall –
from lagers and weizens to kölsches and doppelbocks! - Almost as many more beers imported from Germany in the German Beer Hall and German Speakeasy, including a “NoLo Import Bar” featuring German zero proof and low alcohol beers.
- GSP’s 2024 German Beer Ambassador Award which will honor the extraordinary legacy of the USA’s first female brewmaster and PA’s first craft brewer, the legendary Carol Stoudt.
- A “PA Cheese Cave & Cider Bar” anchored by members PA Cheese Guild and PA Cider Guild.
- Pennsylvania-themed live entertainments in the PA Beer Hall, including Roller Derby Arm-Wrestling, Beer-Jello Masskrugstemmen and Live Country-Folk Music by TC Cole Riot.
- German-themed live entertainments in the German Beer Hall, including our wildly popular Berlin-Style Beerlesque, Oompah-Funk by Polkadelphia and UGH Schühplattler Folk Dancers, all emceed by the eye-popping sword-swallowing sideshow performer Reggie Bügmüncher.
- Engaging educational opportunities such as an optional extra “VIP Plus Seminar” on beer pairing led by cheese author Tenaya Darlington, an enlightening “PA Women Brewers Panel” and book signings with multiple authors including PA’s own beer historian Richard Wagner.
Every year, Bierfest showcases Pennsylvania’s German brewing heritage and this state’s leadership in the brewing of (and appreciation of) German-style lager beers to encourage Pennsylvanians to take pride in our region’s centuries-long prowess in lager brewing.
“Locals may not realize that Pennsylvania brewers lead the nation in championing beer styles of German heritage, from refreshing pilsners to malty doppelbocks,” says Victory Brewing Company president Bill Covaleski, who served as founding president of the Brewers of Pennsylvania trade association and remains a board member. “Bierfest is a perfect showcase for what should be a point of pride for Philadelphia’s beer lovers.”
Even Pennsylvania’s smallest breweries and brewpubs tend to place greater emphasis on styles of German heritage than their competitors in other parts of the country, simply because of the depth and breadth of Germany’s cultural influence here. Many Philadelphians do not know that Pennsylvania is also home to the two largest American-owned breweries in the USA – the Yuengling & Sons Brewery in Pottsville and the Samuel Adams Pennsylvania Brewery in Breinigsville – each of which is known for their lagers.
Bierfest is decidedly European-influenced in its family-friendly and community-supporting vibe. Free supervised ‘kinder-care’ is offered for thirsty parents at this event that draws everyone from college students to their grandparents, and ‘Beer-Less’ tickets are available. To encourage local home brewers to try their hand at brewing the hard (German) way, Bierfest’s Home Sweet HomeBräu Taste-Off will award the winning home-brewer an incredible opportunity to brew a commercial batch of their recipe in collaboration with the custom craft brewers of My Local Brew Works, to be served at Bierfest 2025!
Over two dozen Pennsylvania craft and legacy brewers will participate in Bierfest 2024, including Attic Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Bald Birds Brewing Co. [Audubon], Dock Street Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Iron Hill Brewery [Exton], Human Robot Brewery [Philadelphia], Locust Lane Brewing Co. [Malvern], Love City Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Mainstay Independent Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Michaux Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], My Local Brew Works [Philadelphia], New Ridge Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Pagoda City Brewhouse [Reading], Sly Fox Brewing Co. [Phoenixville], Stoudts Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Susquehanna Brewing Co. [Pittston], Tröegs Brewing Co. [Harrisburg], Victory Brewing Co. [Downingtown], Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. [Hawley], Wissahickon Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Yards Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], ZeroDay Brewing Co. [Harrisburg], and more, plus the oldest and largest independent brewer in the USA, Yuengling & Sons Brewery [Pottsville].
Over two dozen German imported beers will also be poured, ranging from high-profile flagships to lesser-known artisanal products, including brews from Ayinger, Bitburger, Erdinger, Gaffel, HofBräu, König Ludwig, Köstritzer, Paulaner, Pinkus, Radeberger, Schöfferhofer, Warsteiner and more, plus the oldest continuously-operating brewery in the world, the Bavarian State Brewery at Weihenstephan. Bierfest will also host spaces dedicated to showcasing other local fermented foods and drinks in the PA Cheese Cave hosted by members of the PA Cheese Guild, like Birchrun Hills Farm, Valley Milkhouse and Cherry Grove Farm and a PA Cider Bar anchored by local cider maker Ploughman Cider! A “NoLo Bar” will be a new attraction in 2024, featuring German-style no alcohol and low-alcohol beers.
The German Society of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit organization founded in 1764, devoted to furthering the understanding of German and German-American contributions to the growth of American history and culture from the past to the present, and into the future. Executive vice-president Tony Michels is a Bierfest co-founder and also organizes Philadelphia’s German Heritage Festival.
Philly Roller Derby is a skater-owned and operated roller derby league and a proud member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Since their inception in 2005, this league of athletic women on wheels has brought roller derby back to Philadelphia.
Brewers of Pennsylvania is a non-profit trade advocacy organization whose mission is to responsibly serve the needs of Pennsylvania’s diverse beer-drinking audience and to empower the state’s brewers to join together to support and protect their common and individual interests.
Bierfest co-founder Marnie Old is a noted Philadelphia drinks author and one of the country’s top expert speakers on wine and beer who by day serves as “director of vinlightenment” for Boisset Collection. She is a wine columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer and the author of many award-winning books, most notably He Said Beer, She Said Wine (DK 2008) and Wine: A Tasting Course (DK 2013).
Philly Bierfest 2024:
Saturday, February 24, 2024
German Society of Pennsylvania ▪ 611 Spring Garden St. Philadelphia, PA 19123
Main Event – 2:00pm to 5:30pm
Exclusive VIP ‘Early Access’ – 1pm to 2:00pm
Get tickets at www.PhillyBierfest.org or by phone at 215.627.2332
- $59 General Admission – Main Event Only
- $79 VIP – Early Access and Keepsake Mug
- $99 VIP PLUS – Noon Beer & Cheese Seminar, Early Access and Keepsake Mug
- $35 ‘Beer-Less’ Admission – For Non-Drinkers, Designated Drivers, and Children over 12 yeas old
