Welcome to Beer Week. Not since the wing bowl did so many eager men rush to center city Philadelphia. The event scheduled to take place March 7, 2008 to March 16, 2008 includes discount prices for premium malt beverages, exotic beer flavors and vendors presenting beer related entertainment. There was even a 47-page spread in the Daily News dedicated to the event. It is Beer Week in Philadelphia.
Looking at the fact that a portion of the liquor tax goes to public schools and the surge of visitors rushing to enjoy the festivities would actually help the economy, there is more than enough reason for us to sit back grab a brew and enjoy the week. A question that comes to mind however is when did Philadelphia become a cornerstone of the Beer industry? When did we become beer experts?
Researching about beer in our city, I found so many men who consider themselves beer experts. From the types of beer, beer flavors, locations where beers are brewed, down to the ingredients included in the beer, it is easy to find someone knowledgeable about beer in Philadelphia. Although there are thousands of men knowledgeable on the subject, I would not expect our city to be the beer Mecca. I mean when I think of our city I think of water ice, cheese steaks, soft pretzels and having to purchase liquor from the state store instead of everywhere else.
However, I was surprised at how unique our city is when it comes to beer. The first American lager is said to have been brewed here in 1840. By the late 1870’s Philadelphia held over 69 breweries and even a neighborhood called Brewerytown. Due to prohibition these breweries had to shut down, and by 1987 the last city brewery, Schmidt's, closed for good.
However time has past and there are at least 20 breweries in the Philadelphia area, including Yards, Flying Fish, Stoudts, Sly Fox and Victory. Some of the rarest beers in the world can be found here in this city. We have hundreds of taverns and bars serving a variety of different beers, many of these locations even brew Belgian beers. Beer from locations such as Belgium, Russia, and Germany all are shipped here. According to the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp.the beer industry employs 16,000 workers in Philadelphia, producing about $422 million in wages and $122 million in taxes. It is fitting then that Philadelphia hold Beer Week. So with only a few days left for the festivities, how are you going to celebrate Beer Week?
Looking at the fact that a portion of the liquor tax goes to public schools and the surge of visitors rushing to enjoy the festivities would actually help the economy, there is more than enough reason for us to sit back grab a brew and enjoy the week. A question that comes to mind however is when did Philadelphia become a cornerstone of the Beer industry? When did we become beer experts?
Researching about beer in our city, I found so many men who consider themselves beer experts. From the types of beer, beer flavors, locations where beers are brewed, down to the ingredients included in the beer, it is easy to find someone knowledgeable about beer in Philadelphia. Although there are thousands of men knowledgeable on the subject, I would not expect our city to be the beer Mecca. I mean when I think of our city I think of water ice, cheese steaks, soft pretzels and having to purchase liquor from the state store instead of everywhere else.
However, I was surprised at how unique our city is when it comes to beer. The first American lager is said to have been brewed here in 1840. By the late 1870’s Philadelphia held over 69 breweries and even a neighborhood called Brewerytown. Due to prohibition these breweries had to shut down, and by 1987 the last city brewery, Schmidt's, closed for good.
However time has past and there are at least 20 breweries in the Philadelphia area, including Yards, Flying Fish, Stoudts, Sly Fox and Victory. Some of the rarest beers in the world can be found here in this city. We have hundreds of taverns and bars serving a variety of different beers, many of these locations even brew Belgian beers. Beer from locations such as Belgium, Russia, and Germany all are shipped here. According to the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp.the beer industry employs 16,000 workers in Philadelphia, producing about $422 million in wages and $122 million in taxes. It is fitting then that Philadelphia hold Beer Week. So with only a few days left for the festivities, how are you going to celebrate Beer Week?
4 comments:
Knodding Head's Chocolate Beer.... Cheers!!
I think between St. Patricks day and Beer Week Philly is more than a little buzzed. lol
Philadelphia, City of Beer-therly Love.
I was in Center City Saturday and the way people were spilling out of bars onto the streets, you might have thought beer was going to be outlawed.
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