2013 marks the 6th annual Philly Beer Week. What began as a “what if discussion” between a Daily News reporter and some bar owners has now grown into an annual event with more than 250 participating organizations and more than 1,000 events. To the best of our knowledge, Philly Beer Week was the first city-wide week long celebration of craft beer. In the six years since its founding, more than 100 cities have followed our lead.
This year the Free Library is proud to be able to declare ourselves the Official Library of Beer Week. We’re celebrating by not just offering a great selection of information resources on beer history, beer tasting, and making your own beer--we're also hosting several special events! Check out the following activities:
Brewed in Philly: Come to the second floor of Parkway Central any time between May 31 and June 30 to catch a glimpse into local beer history in this exhibition featuring historic maps, documents, and images from the Free Library’s Collections. Informative and interesting, Brewed in Philly is a great place to stop for a breather between all the PBW events you are planning on attending in Fairmount and Logan Square. Local beer historian Rich Wagner contributed his expertise, and items from his personal collection for this special exhibition. See more images from our collection in the online exhibition.
Meet the Hammer of Glory: May 31, 4:40 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This year the Free Library is a stop on the Hammer of Glory Relay. The Hammer of Glory, as seen here being wielded by Mayor Michael Nutter, is the official symbol of Beer Week. Every year Beer Week begins with the Hammer (or HOG, for short) taking an epic voyage around Philadelphia that ends at Opening Tap--the official opening event of Beer Week. This year the HOG will make a stop at Parkway Central. Take a picture of yourself and your friends with the Hammer at the Library and tweet it to us @freelibrary or post it to us on our Facebook page. Free Library of Philadelphia librarians will be taking the Hammer from Parkway Central to The Kite and Key by book truck, where you can join in for the Troeg’s Opening Tap Tailgate with limited edition beers and representatives from Troeg's Brewing.
Browse and Brews: June 5, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Join the Raven Society and special guests for a Library fundraiser that pairs beer, food, learning, and history. The event will feature beer generously donated by Manayunk Brewing Company, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Saint Benjamin Brewing, and Yards Brewing Company paired with food from Diverse Catering. There will also be a variety of local beer experts on hand to answer any questions you might have about beer, including George Hummel and Nancy Rigberg from Home Sweet Homebrew and local beer historian Rich Wagner. Tickets are $30, $20 for Ravens Members, and $10 for designated drivers. Purchase here.
Philly Beer Week
Mayor Nutter with the Hammer of Glory
Image of 19th Century brewing from the Library's Collections
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