Philly Beer Scene

In February, Neil and Mat got together with six other craft beer industry professionals and enthusiasts to discuss the nominees for the Second Annual Best of the Philly Beer Scene Awards. From this meeting, 7 new categories were introduced from 2010’s 35 and the decision was made that all of the prior winners would automatically be nominated to give them the chance to defend their awards for a second year. After many hours and beers, four new nominees were nominated for each of the total 42 categories and on April 1, 2011 the polls opened across the web.

With an incredible response from the Scene, there were some clear landslide winners and some only taking the win by a few votes when the polls closed on May 15th. We are proud to announce the winners of the Second Annual 2011 Best of the Philly Beer Scene Awards.
(Photo by Karl Mischler)

Bars, Brewpubs, & Restaurants

Best Area Brewmaster
Casey Hughes, Flying Fish
Over the past few years, Casey Hughes has been making a huge splash on the local beer scene. Since the introductory of his Exit Series, he has not only brought more awards to Flying Fish, but he has also given people a whole new outlook on this New Jersey based brewery. By only continuing to add great beers to the Series and even introducing more one-off versions, it’s no wonder that Casey Hughes is taking home this award two years in row.

Best Brewpub
Nodding Head

Best Classic Bar (NJ/DE)
The Pour House

Best Bar To Watch a Game & Best New Bar
City Tap House

Best Entertainment Venue
World Cafe Live

Best Classic Bar (Burbs)
Hulmeville Inn

Best European Bar & Best Bar Food
Monk’s Cafe

Best Happy Hour
Devil’s Den

Best Classic Bar (Philly)
Standard Tap
There are many incredible bars in Philadelphia but only one can hold the title of being the best, and for the second year, this honor goes to the Standard Tap in Northern Liberties. This award has been achieved by their constant passion in supporting everything local, from their killer restaurant menu to their consistent rotating tap list of the Philly area’s finest brewers. At any point in time, The Standard Tap can be found filled with hipsters and suits alike, enjoying a pint and the company of their knowledgeable bar staff.

Best Beer Event
Sly Fox Goat Races
Every year, Sly Fox continues to attract more people from the burbs and the city alike to take part in their annual racing of the goats for the title of their Maibock release. The 2010 races marked the first at Sly Fox’s new location and included a traditional German Oompah band and grilled brats that families of beer lovers have come to expect. This particular year was also quite the surprise as it marked the first time a goat, Dax, had won the races two years in a row.

Best Area Brewery
Victory Brewing Co.
It is no surprise that Victory laid claim for a second year in a row to this award. Beers like their Prima Pils and Storm King Stout make them a choice brewer at many area bars and in the last year, the Downingtown brewery brought to the Philadelphia masses a collaborative hit, Saison du BUFF, with fellow heavy hitters, Stone and Dogfish Head. They also created the extremely palatable session beer loaded with citra hops, Headwaters Pale Ale. And, they dominated the heat with their summer release, Summer Love, which will make its return for Beer Week.

Best Beer Festival
Philly Craft Beer Festival
Easily one of the largest beer fests in the Philly beer scene, the March festival held annually at the Navy Yard has consistently sold out for five years since its creation. Offering over 100 beers, the festival is best known for giving newcomers to the craft beer world an opportunity to explore their palate with many offerings from Philadelphia and beyond.

Buying Beer

Best Beer Distributor (Philly)
Bella Vista

Best Bottle Shop (Burbs)
Capone’s

Best Beer Distributor (Burbs)
Beer Yard

Best NJ Take Out
West Deptford Canal’s

Best Bottle Shop (Philly)
The Foodery Northern Liberties

Homebrew & More

Best Homebrew Shop
Keystone Homebrew

Best Homebrew Club
Barley Legal

Best Homebrew Event
War of the Worts

Best Beer Blogger
Don Russell

Best Tap Handle
Dogfish Crank Handle

Best Label Art
Dogfish Head Bitches Brew

Best Brewery To Be Petitioned To Distribute In Philly
New Belgium

The Beer

Best Wheat Beer
Troegs Dreamweaver Wheat

Best Summer Seasonal
Troegs Sunshine Pils

Best Winter Seasonal
Troegs Nugget Nectar

Best High Octane Brew
Troegs Mad Elf

Best Belgian Style
Victory Golden Monkey

Best Pilsner
Victory Prima Pils

Best Stout
Victory Storm King

Best Porter
Iron Hill Pig Iron Porter

Best IPA
Sly Fox Rt. 113

Best Fruit/ Spice Beer
Dogfish Head/Victory/ Stone Saison du BUFF

Lifetime Achievement Award
Bruce Nichols
Just after this past Thanksgiving, the Philly beer scene lost Bruce Nichols, one of the most influential local advocates of beer, to a short battle with leukemia. Bruce started to mold the City of Brotherly Love as being America’s best beer drinking city when he first brought British beer writer Michael Jackson, to the city in the early 90s. He continued his influence on Philly with the creation of Philly Beer Week alongside Don Russell and Tom Peters. This year’s Beer Week is surely dedicated to his memory and we found it only fitting to award him the first Best of the Philly Beer Scene Lifetime Achievement Award. So, make sure throughout Beer Week to toast this man’s memory for all that he has done to make Philadelphia the beer city we have all come to love and appreciate. Cheers!