Philadelphia's Craft Distillery Guide: Philadelphia's beverage scene goes far beyond beer and wine. The city and its surrounding areas are experiencing a boom in craft distilleries, breweries, and unique spots offering handcrafted drinks. Whether you're looking for a distillery tour and tasting, creative cocktails, locally made spirits, or a unique brewery experience, the Philadelphia region has something to offer. This article guides you through some of the best places to explore the world of craft beverages in and around Philadelphia.
Philadelphia's Distillery and Craft Beverage Scene
1. Philadelphia Distilling: Private Tours, Tastings, and Fun
Philadelphia Distilling, located in the Fishtown neighborhood, is a pioneer of the Pennsylvania craft distilling movement. They're known for their award-winning Bluecoat Gin, but they also produce other spirits. Reviewers praise the "private tour and tasting led by Josh" as "really fun and unique," making it a great option for a group outing or a special occasion. They are considered to be one of the best distilleries in the area.
- Location: 25 E Allen St, Philadelphia, PA (Fishtown)
- Highlights: Private tours and tastings, Bluecoat Gin, award-winning spirits, distillery experience
2. New Liberty Distillery: Great and Knowledgeable Tour Guide
New Liberty Distillery, located in North Philadelphia, offers tours that are highly recommended. Reviewers praise the tour guide as "great and knowledgeable," making it an educational and enjoyable experience. They specialize in whiskey.
- Location: North Philadelphia, PA
- Highlights: Distillery tours, knowledgeable guide, whiskey
3. Red Brick Craft Distillery: Multiple Bottles of Delicious Spirits
Red Brick Craft Distillery in Kensington is earning rave reviews for its spirits. Customers report leaving "with multiple bottles," indicating the high quality and appeal of their products. They specialize in whiskey and rum.
- Location: 2628 Martha St, Philadelphia, PA (Kensington)
- Highlights: High-quality spirits, multiple bottle purchases, whiskey, rum, craft distillery
4. Stateside Vodka: Craft Cocktails and Great Deals
Stateside Vodka, located in a former Federal Reserve building, is more than just a distillery; it's also a cocktail bar. Reviewers highlight the "great craft cocktails, great staff, and awesome deals," making it a popular spot for drinks and socializing. They are known for their vodka.
- Location: 1700 N Hancock St, Philadelphia, PA
- Highlights: Craft cocktails, great deals, vodka distillery, cocktail bar, great staff
5. Otto Distilling Co.: Unique Rum Flavors and Outdoor Seating
Otto Distilling Co, while technically in South Philly, has reviews talking about a great tour, making them a good addition to this list. Reviewers love their unique flavors of rum and outdoor seating.
- Location: 1713R McKean St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Highlights: Distillery tours, unique rum flavors, outdoor seating
6. Manatawny Still Works East Passyunk Tasting Room: Amazing Drinks
Manatawny Still Works, with a tasting room on East Passyunk Avenue, is consistently praised for its "amazing drinks." This suggests expertly crafted cocktails and high-quality spirits.
- Location: 1603 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA
- Highlights: Amazing drinks, tasting room, expertly crafted cocktails, East Passyunk location, distillery
7. Four Humours: Insanely Good and Creative Drinks
Four Humours is a bar earning high praise for its drinks, described as "insanely good, and pretty creative/unique!" This suggests a focus on innovative mixology and high-quality ingredients.
- Location: 1712 N Hancock St, Philadelphia, PA
- Highlights: Insanely good drinks, creative cocktails, unique offerings, innovative mixology, bar
8. 1675 Spirits (Bensalem): Fun Facts and Entertainment
1675 Spirits, located in nearby Bensalem, offers more than just spirits; reviewers highlight the staff, particularly "Lauren," as being "always full of fun facts and entertainment." This suggests a lively and engaging atmosphere.
- Location: Bensalem, PA (near Philadelphia)
- Highlights: fun facts, full of entertainment
9. Pennsylvania Libations Philadelphia (Reading Terminal Market): Knowledgeable Staff
Pennsylvania Libations, located within the Reading Terminal Market, is a liquor store specializing in Pennsylvania-made spirits. Reviewers praise the staff's knowledge, particularly "Adam" for his expertise on bourbons.
- Location: 1136 Arch St Space #439, Philadelphia, PA (Reading Terminal Market)
- Highlights: Liquor store, Pennsylvania-made spirits, knowledgeable staff, bourbon expertise, Reading Terminal Market
10. Train Wreck Distillery (Mount Holly, NJ): Creative Drinks and Local Booze
Train Wreck Distillery, just across the river in Mount Holly, New Jersey, is praised for its "creative drinks" and the fact that "the booze is local." This suggests a focus on craft cocktails and locally sourced ingredients.
- Location: Mount Holly, NJ (near Philadelphia)
- Highlights: Creative Drinks, Local Booze
11. Striped Lion Distilling (Woodbury, NJ): Craft Drinks to Die For
Striped Lion Distilling, also in New Jersey (Woodbury), earns rave reviews for its "amazing small business with craft drinks to die for." This suggests a high-quality, handcrafted approach to spirits and cocktails.
- Location: Woodbury, NJ (near Philadelphia)
- Highlights: Amazing small business, craft drinks, high-quality spirits, handcrafted cocktails
12. Pennsylvania Distilling Company (Malvern): Informative Tour and Great Drinks
Pennsylvania Distilling Company in Malvern, PA, is said to have a very informative tour and great drinks.
- Location: Malvern, PA
- Highlights: Distillery Tours
13. Boardroom Spirits Distillery (Lansdale): Great Spirits and Cocktail Classes
Boardroom Spirits Distillery in Lansdale, PA, is praised not only for its "great spirits" but also for its "cocktail classes," which are described as "a riot." This suggests a fun and interactive experience.
- Location: Lansdale, PA (near Philadelphia)
- Highlights: Great spirits, cocktail classes, fun and interactive experience, distillery
14. Bluebird Distilling (Phoenixville)
Bluebird Distilling is known for its uniquely crafted cocktails and really nice atmosphere.
- Location: Phoenixville, PA Highlights: crafted cocktails, nice atmosphere
Philadelphia's Brewery Scene (brief mention, as the focus is distilleries):
While the primary focus is distilleries, Philadelphia also has a thriving brewery scene. Some notable mentions include:
- Philadelphia Brewing Co.: "A true diamond in the rough - well worth the trip!" Suggests a high-quality brewery experience.
- Human Robot: Known for its hazy IPAs and a specific dark lager ("tmavy 13").
- Craft Hall: "Craft Hall is a 10/10 I would highly recommend." Large space for events and groups.
- Craft Foundry: "Everything is crafted with the highest quality materials."
The Philadelphia area is a haven for craft beverage enthusiasts, with a growing number of distilleries producing high-quality spirits and offering unique tasting experiences. From award-winning gin and whiskey to creative cocktails and informative tours, there's something to discover for every palate. This list provides a starting point for exploring the spirited side of Philadelphia and its surrounding communities.
