The Best Beer-Buying Spots In Philadelphia

If you're looking to buy beer in Philadelphia, you might be surprised to learn that the city's liquor laws are notoriously confusing for visitors and locals alike. While you can buy beer at a number of places, including beer distributors, bottle shops, bars, grocery stores, and breweries, the amount you can buy in one transaction varies depending on the type of license the vendor has. For example, beer distributors have the fewest restrictions and can sell you kegs, cases, 12-packs, six-packs, single bottles, and growlers. On the other hand, bottle shops, grocery and convenience stores, bars, and other licensed vendors can sell you up to 192 fluid ounces of beer (the equivalent of 12 16-ounce cans) per transaction. If you want to buy more, you'll have to make separate trips for each transaction.

In Philadelphia, you can also get beer delivered to your home or business through services like GoPuff or Quick Sip Delivery, or directly from local breweries. Some popular places to buy beer in the city include Stone's Beer & Beverage Market, Franklin Beverage, The Bottle Shop at Local 44, Bella Vista Beverage, and Mom's Organic Market.

Beer distributors

If you're looking to buy beer in Philadelphia, your best bet is to head to a dedicated beer distributor. These stores specialize in selling beer and often have a wide selection of local, domestic, and imported brews. Beer distributors typically offer the most options when it comes to purchasing beer, and their prices are usually very competitive.

In Philadelphia, beer distributors are scattered throughout the city and its surrounding areas. For example, Exton Beverage and Lou Beverage are located just east of Downingtown, while Stone's Beer & Beverage Market can be found in the Francisville neighbourhood. The Bottle Shop in South Philly is also a popular choice and is open until 9 pm.

When buying beer from a distributor, it's important to note that Pennsylvania's liquor laws can be a bit restrictive. For instance, you might need to make separate trips to purchase different types of beer, and there may be limits on the number of beers you can buy in a single transaction. However, distributors generally have the fewest restrictions compared to other retailers. They typically offer kegs, cases, 12-packs, 6-packs, single bottles, and growlers, all for off-premise consumption.

If you're looking for a specific type of beer or have special requests, some distributors like Stone's Beer & Beverage Market even allow you to special order certain beers. Distributors are a great option if you're looking for variety and want to explore different styles of beer.

In addition to beer distributors, you can also find beer at bottle shops, bars, grocery stores, and breweries in Philadelphia. However, these establishments may have different license restrictions, and the selection may vary.

Grocery stores

If you're looking to buy beer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, you may be surprised to learn that the state's liquor laws are among the most restrictive in the nation. This is largely due to the influence of teetotaler Gifford Pinchot, who was governor at the end of Prohibition in 1933.

However, there are still plenty of places to buy beer in the city, including grocery stores. Here are some options:

Acme

Acme is a popular option for buying beer in Philadelphia. You can build your own six-packs and some locations sell alcohol, although not all do. One user recommends the Acme on South Street.

Whole Foods

The Whole Foods near the Art Museum has a decent selection of beer. Another user recommends the Whole Foods on South Street.

Mom's Organic Market

Mom's Organic Market is another grocery store option for buying beer.

Giant

One user mentions that the Giant in the suburbs has restrictive alcohol policies, but another user says that Giant Foods sells beer.

Wegmans

Wegmans in Downingtown sells beer.

Wawa

Some Wawa locations in Philadelphia sell beer, including the one by the airport. However, it's worth noting that not all Wawas sell alcohol.

In addition to grocery stores, there are also beer distributors, bottle shops, bars, and breweries that sell beer in Philadelphia.

Bars

Some popular bars in Philadelphia that sell beer include:

• The Bottle Shop in South Philly
• Locust Bar
• Bottle Bar East
• Gourmet Cheesesteaks in Old City
• Tria
• The Foodery on 10th and Pine
• Mom's Organic Market
• Latimer Deli
• The bar next to Latimer Deli
• Pac-a-Deli
• VIP Market
• Franklin Fountain

Breweries

Philadelphia is a haven for beer lovers, with a wide variety of breweries to choose from. Here is a list of some of the top breweries in the city:

Yards Brewing Company

A grand space with cafeteria-style wooden tables, Yards Brewing Company is perfect for big groups and day drinking. They offer a huge menu of signature ales, small-batch options like Citra Saison and Kölsch-style ales, and even beers named after the founding fathers. Located at 500 Spring Garden Street, Yards Brewing Company is a must-visit for those looking for a fun and lively atmosphere.

Evil Genius Beer Company

Located in Fishtown, Evil Genius Beer Company stands out for its creative and whimsical beer names, such as "Stacy's Mom" and "You Mad Bro?". They offer a variety of unique brews like key lime margarita sours, chocolate peanut butter porters, and watermelon blonde ales. The brewery also has a backyard beer garden and hosts fun events like Quizzo nights, drag brunch, and a Girl Scout cookie and beer pairing event.

Philadelphia Brewing Company

Almost always packed with locals, Philadelphia Brewing Company in Kensington is a popular spot for crisp golden lagers, particularly their Kenzinger. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, with yellow picnic tables outside and a cosy fireplace inside for chilly days. A variety of food trucks are usually parked near the front lot, serving dishes like crispy tofu tacos, burgers, and grilled chicken satay.

Wissahickon Brewing Company

This East Falls brewery offers a fun and games-focused experience with ping pong tables and plenty of screens to watch sports. They have a diverse range of beers, from German-style Kölsch to Mexican lagers with maize lime zest and fruity sours. You can sample their offerings through an $8 beer flight or go for a full pint of their dry-hopped hazy IPA.

Victory Brewing Company

Victory Brewing Company is one of the region's original craft breweries, founded by two childhood friends in 1996. Now the largest brewery in the region, they offer crowd-pleasers like Hopdevil IPA and Victory Helles Lager. With five taprooms in the Philly region, including one in Center City with a massive outdoor rooftop, Victory Brewing Company is a popular choice for beer enthusiasts.

Tösca Restaurant & Brewery

This Albanian-inspired brewery and restaurant in Mt. Airy offers a unique combination of craft beer and above-average brewery food. Their four beers are created in-house, including the Mt Airy Ale, Three Brothers IPA, Toska Hazy IPA, and The Brew-Master Bren Lager. The multi-floor space provides a comfortable experience, even when busy, and their wood-fired pizza topped with Albanian sausage and fig balsamic glaze is a must-try.

Delivery services

If you don't fancy venturing out to buy beer, there are several delivery services that operate in Philadelphia.

GoPuff is a popular option, with many residents recommending the service. It offers a beer selection and will deliver it straight to your door.

You can also try Quick Sip Delivery, which delivers beer, wine, and liquor.

Out-of-state beer shipping services such as Tavour can send you up to 192 fluid ounces of beer per month.

Some breweries also offer local delivery, or you can pick up your order from the brewery.

Frequently asked questions