PHILADELPHIA - Hi, I’m Jim Pappas. Usually, you’ll find me chasing down the next great Philadelphia cheesesteak. Since most cheesesteak spots are take-out only, I quickly learned that cheesesteaks and breweries go together like chocolate and peanut butter.
PHILADELPHIA - Hi, I’m Jim Pappas. Usually, you’ll find me chasing down the next great Philadelphia cheesesteak. Since most cheesesteak spots are take-out only, I quickly learned that cheesesteaks and breweries go together like chocolate and peanut butter.Fast forward a bit, and I’m on granddog duty with Elbert and Sally. So, what’s a guy to do with two energetic granddogs? You guessed it — dog-friendly breweries!
Dogs 🐾, cheesesteaks 🧀🥩, and beer 🍺 — three of my favorite things all in one adventure.
To make this official, I created a 30-point scoring system (10 for Vibe, 10 for Beer, and 10 for Overall Experience) and set out to visit every brewery in Philadelphia. And because I can’t resist a good spreadsheet, I’m tracking it all at TheBreweryLife.com.
Without further ado, here are the seven best breweries in Philadelphia from my tour.
1. Best Smiles for Miles and Miles Brewery
Punch Buggy Brewing Co, 1445 N American St, Philadelphia
This was one of my absolute favorite stops! The bartender was adorable — I could totally picture her cruising around in a punch buggy, spreading smiles everywhere. The decor was fun and full of personality. It’s dog-friendly outside, and they usually have a food vendor (just call ahead to check hours). My beer? A Raspberry Currant that honestly felt like they brewed it just for me. Watch the video here!
2. Best Place to Eat Your Favorite Cheesesteak
Wissahickon Brewing Co – 3705 W School House Ln, East Falls, Philadelphia
This is the original location where the beer magic happens, and I’ve had quite a few cheesesteaks here. It’s classic “Philly brewery style” — brewing in the back, taproom up front, and more tables in the lot. There’s a steep driveway, but plenty of parking.
Crucially, they are dog-friendly AND outside-food friendly, making it the perfect spot to bring your own cheesesteak. They also have a robust food truck schedule. The draft list was long, my beer was bursting with flavor, and the vibe was laid-back. Watch the video here!
3. Best Island of Awesomeness in a Sea of Bricks
Attic Brewing Company, 137 Berkley St, Philadelphia
When I saw their location on Google Maps, I didn’t think it would be my kind of place. Holy Mackerel — what an awesome surprise! First off, there's real parking. Attic is in a large factory building with a big, bright, and high-ceilinged space, plus bar seating, tables, and a beer garden.
It's dog-friendly, but since Bad Nina’s food truck is permanently on-site, there's no outside food. I loved the energy here so much I even bought one of their beer label posters.
4. Best "Recognize My Genius Before I Die" Brewery
Source Urban Brewery, 1101 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia
I hate how much I enjoyed my visit here. The young women working were awesome. I ordered the pretzel, which came with beer cheese. When I said how much I loved beer cheese, she offered mustard and beer cheese or two beer cheeses. Naturally, I said, “Two beer cheese, please!”
I tried three beers, and each one was better than the last. It feels like they’re aiming for a higher-end brewery vibe, but with the big bar and the Fillmore crowd, it still feels relaxed and fun.
5. Best Granddog (Elbert & Sally) Approved Brewery
Other Half Brewing Company, 1002 Canal St, Philadelphia
My granddogs Elbert & Sally were my special guests, and spoiler alert—we really liked this place! It felt like hanging out at a neighbor’s barbecue. It's extremely family-friendly, with a large outdoor area where kids and dogs were playing.
I ordered online (not my favorite) and went with a hazy that I liked a lot. I also tried a cheesesteak empanada—tasty with a nice kick, but a bit pricey at $8. Service was quick, the crowd was friendly, and the whole place had a great vibe. Watch the video here!
6. Best "We Don’t Care What JP3 Wants" Brewery
Evil Genius, 1727 N Front St, Philadelphia
Genius? Abso-freaking-lutely! I’d vacation here. Evil Genius has killer vibes inside an old carriage factory with vintage decor I’m obsessed with. It has four spaces with four different moods: a bar, an indoor lounge, a gaming area, and a dog-friendly garden (with a Friday Yappy Hour 🐾). The bartender nailed my beer pick, and the brew names are full of clever '80s and '90s references. Watch the video here!
7. Best "Teleport Me to a Hipper Place" Brewery
Love City Brewing, 1023 Hamilton St, Philadelphia
This spot has a chill, industrial vibe that feels straight out of a movie—I was waiting for The Terminator to walk by. The bartender was friendly, and the craft beer was cold and flavorful. It’s dog-friendly, filled with great people, and serves up killer food and beer. Love City was easily a Top 3 stop on the "2 Dogs, Beer & Cheesesteaks Tour." Don't miss it. Watch the video here!
Honorable Mention
Best "I Like Big Beer Cases and I Cannot Lie" Taproom
Jaxx Steaks Taproom, 242 Wharton St, Philadelphia
If you love trying new craft beers but don’t want to drive all over the city, just go to Jaxx. Thanks to the amazing staff, those big beer cases are packed with brews from near and far. Strawberry Pretzel Salad? They’ve got it. Juicy Monkey? Got it. Grab a seat in the pub or out in the beer garden and try something new. Genius. Watch the video here!
