The Best New Beer Gardens To Visit Summer 2016

Rob Cardillo

New open-air beer gardens are popping up all over the country. We’ve rounded up the best openings to check out.

This story originally appeared on foodandwine.com

PHS Garden at the Viaduct Rail Park, Philadelphia, PA

The Pennsylvania Horticulture Society has been revitalizing vacant city spaces since 2011 and has now turned a defunct overhead railway into a pop-up beer garden. Victory Brewing Company has crafted a special beer for the PHS beer gardens—an American wheat ale with Orange Blossom Honey—and Top Chef alum Jason Cichonski and Chef Sylva Senat oversee the food menu. Offerings include the Bun Box, an assortment of steamed buns with a variety of seasonal ingredients. Viaduct Rail Park, 10th and Hamilton St.

Springfield BID White Lion Wednesdays, Springfield, MA

The Springfield Business Improvement District has partnered with White Lion Brewery to pop up beer gardens in a rotating set of downtown locations. Each Wednesday features White Lion beer, food and live music. One Financial Plaza; Tower Square Park; Market Street by Market Place.

Steeplechase Beer Garden, Brooklyn, NY

James Quigley

Taking inspiration from the former Steeplechase Amusement Park that stood in the same spot for over 65 years, this beer garden features funhouse mirrors, an arcade, outdoor games and live shows. Local beers such as Coney Island Brewery, which is right next-door, are the focus of the taps. Come harvest time, they’ll brew their own beer with the hops growing on the garden’s trellises. 1904 Surf Avenue.

The Bachelor Farmer, Minneapolis, MN

Kurt Stafki

This new Nordic restaurant has opened its backyard space for a series of beer garden events throughout the summer, each partnering with a different local brewery. Collaborators include Fulton Brewery, Able Seedhouse and Brewery, and Pyres Brewery. And on the first Saturday of August, do not miss their annual Kräftskiva festival, a Scandinavian crawfish block party. 50 2nd Ave N.

Conservatory, Houston, TX

William Hardin

To get out of the sun without sacrificing outdoorsy vibe, head to Conservatory, an underground food hall and beer garden. There’s a wall of plants and design cues that take inspiration from greenhouses. The 60-tap selection includes local favorites like Texian Vaquero and Buffalo Bayou 1836, and food comes from all over Houston dining scene, including Texas barbeque from El Burro & The Bull. 1010 Prairie St.

Sipyard, Urbana, IL

Adjacency

This Kickstarter-funded beer garden was built from old shipping containers and sharing space with an outdoor graffiti gallery. The taps focus on Illinois beers, including those from Triptych Brewery, which was similarly funded through a Kickstarter campaign. 204 W Main St.

New Belgium Brewery Beer Garden, Fort Collins, CO

Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing

This 100% employee-owned brewery has expanded its Fort Collins tasting room after converting an old parking lot into a grassy picnic area, complete with fire pits, Belgian shuffleboard and a rotating host of food trucks. A retired airstream trailer, Abbey the Beerstream, has become a four tap pouring station. 500 Linden St.

Lagunitas Beer Garden at Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco, CA

SF’s Ghirardelli Square just got a beer garden, courtesy Sonoma-based Lagunitas Brewing Company. Half the proceeds from the garden will be donated to local organizations like SOMA Arts and the San Francisco Parks Alliance. 900 N Point St.

Beer Gardens Bloom In Philadelphia

A Sudsy Summer Awaits Thanks To Pop-Up & Permanent Beer Gardens & A New Beer Garden Series

 

A highlight of the warm-weather months, the seasonal and completely outdoor Morgan’s Pier, which sits along the Delaware River in the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, is just one of the many beer gardens that visitors can enjoy this summer.

Credit: Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia™

 There’s only one place for beer lovers to be this summer, and that’s Philadelphia, where beer gardens abound and where craft beers are king. The two newest additions to the city’s beer garden scene are limited-run only spots: Spruce Street Harbor Park,a beautiful oases along the Delaware River waterfront; and the Independence Beer Garden, a 20,000-square-foot space located across the street from the Liberty Bell.

To capitalize on the city’s growing beer-garden craze, VISIT PHILADELPHIA^™ is launching the Visit Philly Beer Garden Series, a new Friday happy hour taking place over the course of 12 weeks at one of six beer gardens throughout the city. The series runs June 6 through August 29 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Morgan’s Pier, Frankford Hall, Independence Beer Garden, PHS Pop Up Garden, Spruce Street Harbor Park and The Oval. Each spot will host two happy hours throughout the summer. On tap: food and beer specials, games and giveaways. The complete schedule is available at uwishunu.com.

Here’s a look at the city’s beer gardens—all places where suds devotees can enjoy warm temps and laid-back vibes, along with pale ales, pilsners and porters aplenty, all season long:

Pop-Up Spots:

• This year’s installment of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Pop Up Garden makes its home at 15^th and South Streets, next to the Jamaican Jerk Hut. On tap: a selection of craft beers and tropical cocktails, a rotating roster of food trucks and Caribbean dishes served by the Jerk Hut. PHS will outfit the outdoor space with artful elements transplanted from the Flower Show, along with palm trees, cabanas, hammocks and lights. The seven-days-a-week spot runs from June 13 through mid-October. 1438-46 South Street,phsonline.org/greening/pop-up-gardens
• Although not officially dubbed a beer garden, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation’s new Spruce Street Harbor Park boasts all of the essential elements for beer-garden revelry: ample outdoor seating, local beer offerings and higher-end grab-and-go food available from a cargo container. The pop-up spot, open daily from June 27 through August 31, also features a hammock garden, boardwalk, urban beach, fountains and a series of floating barges with lily pad water gardens. Columbus Boulevard & Spruce Streets, (215) 922-2FUN,delawareriverwaterfront.com
• The Oval returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for its second summer of outdoor fun beginning on July 16. Along with food, musical performances, movies and mini golf, visitors can say cheers to a beer garden on Wednesday through Saturday nights through August 16. The Oval’s beer offerings will vary throughout the garden’s five-week run. 2601 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, phila.gov/theoval

Permanent Pleasures:

• Opening on July 4 across from the Liberty Bell, the aptly named Independence Beer Garden brings 20,000-square-feet of outdoor drinking and eating space to America’s most historic square mile. Helmed by Michael Schulson of Sampan fame and executive chef Travis Masar, a contestant on season 11 of Top Chef, the six-months-a-year beer garden will feature an all-American food and drink menu. Think burgers, wings, shrimp rolls, mac and cheese and BLTs washed down by beer selections from Yards Brewing Company, Goose Island, Sly Fox, Dogfish Head and others. Adding to the atmosphere: fire pits, games, string lights and fully grown trees. 100 Independence Mall West, (215) 922-7100, phlbeergarden.com
• Tucked behind Greek hotspot Opa, the Drury Beer Garden—complete with its own Drury Street entrance—offers about a dozen cans, a dozen bottles and eight drafts to complement its casual menu. Parties of six can celebrate summer with the $150 package that includes a case of beer, a crab-leg feast, cole slaw, Old Bay fries and dessert. 1311 Sansom Street, (215) 545-0170, opaphiladelphia.com
• Now in its fourth summer, Stephen Starr’s Frankford Hall seats up to 240 people outside. The space is simple by Starr standards, complete with exposed brick walls, reclaimed industrial materials and ping-pong tables. Classic German foods—pretzels, bratwurst, spatzle—are available at a walk-up counter, as is a hefty beer menu that includes everything from traditional German beers to craft specialties available by the half-liter or liter. 1210 Frankford Avenue, (215) 634-3338, frankfordhall.com
• Llama Tooth restaurant and beer garden boasts an ambitious beer menu that pays plenty of attention to local favorites from Yards, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Dogfish Head, Flying Fish, Weyerbacher, Voodoo and many others. Drinkers can size up their prospective beer’s state of origin, style and Beer Advocate score before making their selection. Situated across the street from popular music venue Union Transfer, the mural-clad beer garden also offers a simple menu of salads, burgers and shareable appetizers. 1033 Spring Garden Street, (267) 639-4582, llamatooth.com
• ’Tis the season for dining and drinking outdoors, and Memphis Taproom is just the place to do it. The narrow picnic table-clad spot serves up gourmet hot dogs of the beef, vegan and vegetarian variety, along with canned beers. Patrons can catch Phillies games on the oversized projection TV, compete in Quizzo on Thursday nights and watch movies on select Saturday nights. 2331 E. Cumberland Street, (215) 425-4460, memphistaproom.com
• Conveniently located next to Race Street Pier, the three-year-old Morgan’s Pier has a lot going for it aside from its stellar views. In a backyard setting filled with wooden picnic tables, vintage umbrellas, twinkling lights and Liden trees, a laid-back crowd enjoys a hefty selection of canned draft beers, along with a refined foodie picnic menu. After dark, Morgan’s Pier hosts musicians and guest DJs to entertain the large crowds for a small cover fee. 221 N. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 279-7134, morganspier.com
• Part island oasis/part junkyard, Silk City’s beer garden is filled with colorful wooden tables, empty-kegs-turned-chairs, string lights galore and garden ornament-like objects likely salvaged at many a yard sale. The hipster clientele at this perennially packed spot enjoys a large selection of high- and low-end beers—everything from Dogfish Head Indian Brown and Sly Fox Phoenix Pale Ale to PBR and Miller High Life. Also on offer: American fare with flair that’s so good it’s been featured on the Food Network’s popular Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. 435 Spring Garden Street, (215) 592-8838, silkcityphilly.com

Visit Philadelphia^™, formerly known as Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, makes Philadelphia and The Countryside^® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.

Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com make up the most-visited website network out of the 10 biggest U.S. cities. Visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.

The 20 Best Beer Towns In America

Contributed by Thomas Berg

Craft beer in America is more popular than ever.

Today’s drinkers become more educated by the day, and the breadth of choices available to them has never been so extensive.

This is great for beer lovers, and beneficial on the supply side as well, as a high-quality product created by friendly, local brewers gets consumers to open their wallets a little wider.

It’s no longer uncommon for enthusiasts to plan a brewery visit into their vacation.

In fact, the opposite is trending: Plenty of people I know actually plan their vacations around a great beer destination.

Remote, highly respected breweries such as Russian River (Santa Rosa, CA) and Hill Farmstead (Greensboro, VT) are regularly hit up by this crowd.

Here are 20 recommended cities to visit on your beer-based travels (listed in no particular order).

Brandon Leon via Flickr

San Diego, CA

• AleSmith's consistently excellent IPAs, stouts, porters, and barleywines impress critics year in and year out.

• Right down the road from AleSmith is one of SoCal's better-known craft breweries: Ballast Point, with 27 taps and specialty drafts.

• Green Flash Brewing is also in the neighborhood, and bring your appetite: these guys love their food trucks.

• A short drive east down I-8 leads to the Alpine Beer Company, home of some of the world's best IPAs. I'm not sure why the best IPAs seem to come from rural breweries (Hill Farmstead, Kern River, Alpine), but I don't particularly care. Each is worth the drive.

• 2008 saw San Francisco's acclaimed Toronado open a sister location in San Diego. This craft beer bar has 56 draft lines and an impressive bottle list. Plus, they often unleash top-notch limited brews for their special events.

Austin, TX

• (512) Brewing sends kegs all over Austin and South Texas. I enjoy their Pecan Porter.

• Jester King began brewing farmhouse-style ales in 2009 and quickly developed a loyal following. Although state law prohibits them from selling beer directly to customers, the brewery tour is a fun way to spend an afternoon in the Texas Hill Country.

• Live Oak Brewing's focus on a just handful of beer styles pays off: Their hefeweizen is among the best made anywhere.

• Drive about hour south on I-35 to Freetail Brewing in San Antonio. Here, you’ll find an enjoyable mix of traditional American ales with barrel-aged stouts and wild ales. In my opinion, it's the best brewery in Texas. 

Grand Rapids / Kalamazoo, MI

• Founders Brewing has mastered the art of producing exceptionally high-quality beer on a macro scale. Their Grand Rapids brewpub is a popular destination.

• In Kalamazoo, Bell's Brewery bottles and kegs an impressively diverse range of beers for all tastes. Some of their best work is only found at the brewpub, however, so stop by to see for yourself.

• Since famously declining an invitation to appear in a Nickelback video, Dark Horse Brewing's fanbase has grown rapidly. 

Fort Collins, CO

• Chances are you already know about New Belgium Brewing and their diverse selection of beers. You might not know they were one of the first sour programs in the US, though, so stop by for a tour and a sample or three.

• Oskar Blues led the charge to promote canning in the beer industry.

• Left Hand Brewing's popular Milk Stout gained them notoriety, and a visit to their home base will prove they aren’t a one-trick pony. 

Chicago, IL

• Goose Island still brews some of the very best beer in the Midwest, despite enormous skepticism after their acquisition by AB-InBev in 2011. The north side of Chicago features two excellent Goose Island brewpubs where locals drown their baseball sorrows.

• The Half Acre Beer Company's brewpub on Lincoln Ave is known for its IPAs, particularly the canned Daisy Cutter. But there's more to this brewery than just the canned essentials.

• Just across the border is Munster, IN, home to one of the country's most celebrated breweries: Three Floyds Brewing. The ~40-minute drive from Chicago is worth every minute, and you’ll soon discover why local retailers struggle to keep their beers on the shelves.

• Jump on the Red Line and head north to Hopleaf, a Belgian bar well known to all local beer geeks. Come for the beer, stay for the beer and the food.

• The Map Room's beer bar in Bucktown draws in the faithful from around the city. Although their venue may be small, their selection certainly isn’t.

Detroit / Ann Arbor, MI

• The Warren suburb of Detroit is home to Kuhnhenn Brewing, a unique brewpub and meadery. Ever had a bourbon barrel-aged Banana French Toast Mead?

• Jolly Pumpkin's brewpub in Ann Arbor brings this farmhouse brewery's funky suds to the city. When your palate is begging for a break from hoppy beers, few beverages are more refreshing than a tart JP brew.

Shutterstock.com / upthebanner

New York, NY

• A short drive (or train ride) north to Peekskill Brewing lands you at the new home of Jeff O'Neil, formerly of Ithaca Brewing. They deliver magic in a glass better than anyone else in the tri-state metropolitan area.

• Top Hops Beer Shop on the Lower East Side quickly made a name for themselves by providing friendly, knowledgeable service at their hybrid bar and bottle shop. It's the local beer geeks' go-to spot for highly coveted bottles, draft beer + growlers, and a laid-back environment.

• Tørst only opened its doors in March of 2013 but has already become the destination bar in NYC. Founded by Evil Twin nomad brewer Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø, Tørst combines a plethora of fantastic draft beer with the most impressive bottle list I've ever seen. 

Tampa, FL

• Cigar City Brewing built a name for themselves in 2008 and 2009 and have expanded on that success in the years since. Join them in celebrating the opening of their new full-service brewpub.

• Peg's Cantina / Cycle Brewing is a small Mexican food cantina steps from the beach in St. Petersburg. The stouts, Berliners, and IPAs served at this unassuming location make me wonder why beer this good isn't more widely available.

• 7venth Sun Brewing in nearby Dunedin is a relative newcomer to the Tampa beer scene and made a splash by hosting the inaugural “Hunahpu’s Hangover Day” the morning after Cigar City’s annual Hunahpu release. Sip on one of their fruit-infused Berliners while gazing into the Gulf. 

Wikimedia commons

Philadelphia, PA -http://www.phillybeerweek.org/ 

Philadelphia's thriving Beer Gardens:  http://www.visitphilly.com/articles/philadelphia/visit-philly-beer-garden-series-2015/

• The Tired Hands brewpub in nearby Ardmore opened in the summer of 2012 to much acclaim. Artisan beer and bread are made fresh on the premises.

• Drive two hours west to visit Pizza Boy Brewing (aka Al’s of Hampden) on the outskirts of Harrisburg. Former Bullfrog brewer Terry Hawbaker is quietly turning heads at his new gig, regularly churning out stouts and sours of impressive quality.

• Monk's Cafe is heralded for its incredible draft and bottle selection, and the Philly Beer Week events there are not to be missed.

• Capone's Restaurant houses a highly respected beer bar in the suburbs. If you’re looking for a special-release draft in Philly, chances are Capone’s has it. 

Miami, FL

• Coming soon to Miami is the much-anticipated J. Wakefield Brewing, a brewpub from the highly skilled amateur-turned-professional brewer. While sours and Berliners are his forte, Johnathan's brewing acumen across all styles has earned him multiple tap lines at Cigar City's Hunahpu's Day for the past three years.

• You'd never know from driving by the nondescript strip mall where it's located, but The Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery in nearby Boca Raton happens to make some of the best beer in the world. Stop in for a Passionfruit Berliner Weisse or their Imperial Maple Bacon Coffee Stout.

Montpelier area, VT

• Hill Farmstead in nearby Greensboro Bend was recently named the best brewery in the world by RateBeer.com. Drive 30 minutes off the highway, turn down a dirt road for a few more miles, and don’t be shocked to see that a line has already formed for growlers and bottles.

• Take a short drive to Waterbury and stop by The Alchemist, where you’ll discover the other beers they make are often just as impressive as their excellent Heady Topper.

• Head to the seasonal farmer's market in Montpelier or nearby Warren to find imperial stouts and IPAs from Lawson's Finest Liquids. Straight from Sean Lawson's garage to your belly. 

San Francisco, CA

• Anchor Brewing opened their doors in 1896, making them one of the oldest breweries in the country and one of the very few to survive Prohibition. And they’re still going strong today.

• A two-hour drive north of San Francisco lands you at the Russian River brewpub in Santa Rosa. It’s worth the trek just for this brewery, as they are one of the absolute best in the world.

• The original Toronado bar on Haight Street is one of America's oldest (and best) craft beer bars. Their daily selection puts most bars to shame, and their specialty events are the envy of beer geeks everywhere.

• City Beer is both an impressively stocked craft beer store and a full-service beer bar rolled into one.

• Just across the bridge in Oakland lies Beer Revolution: another first-rate beer bar.

Cleveland, OH

• Across the river from downtown lies Great Lakes Brewing, a well-respected brewery with strong Midwest pride.

• Hoppin’ Frog Brewing in nearby Akron made a splash on the craft scene in 2008 by winning a gold medal at GABF in the hotly contested Russian Imperial Stout category. Odd name, great beer.

• The Brew Kettle sits just north of the I-80 / I-71 intersection, which makes this brewpub a dangerously convenient pit stop for road warriors. 

San Marcos, CA

• Walk into the Lost Abbey / Port Brewing tasting room and you might not be impressed by the rugged, industrial-looking surroundings. Your first sip on one of their sours will change everything.

• Churchill’s Pub & Grille is right down the road from Lost Abbey and features a fantastic selection of drafts, bottles, and food. This is the only place you’ll find Churchill’s Finest Hour, an exquisite imperial stout made exclusively for the bar by Port Brewing.

• Stone Brewing was a driving force behind the rise of craft beer, and their expanded tasting room has plenty of space to sample their diverse selection. 

TheodoreWLee via flickr

Atlanta, GA

• Terrapin Brewing sits about an hour east of the city in Athens. Find out why the locals can’t get enough of this stuff.

• No beer trip to Atlanta is complete without a visit to The Brick Store Pub in Decatur, with its vintage beer room, Belgian beer bar, and extensive bottle list. 

Los Angeles, CA

• Since opening their doors in 2008, The Bruery has grown tremendously. They now brew dozens of specialty craft beers each year and recently opened a beautiful new tasting room in Placentia.

• Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach is a haven for craft beer lovers. Wash down some tasty BBQ with their brews and guest taps.

• Food trucks and craft beer collide at Verdugo Bar in Northeast LA. Their outdoor patio makes this a great venue to unwind after a long week.

• Tony’s Darts Away in Burbank serves tasty sausages and an exclusively Californian draft menu. It's small, so get there early if you want a place to sit. 

St. Paul / Minneapolis, MN

• Surly Brewing is on a mission to prove that cans are the best storage medium for good beer. And if you’ve had one of their brews, you understand why people rave about these guys.

• Minneapolis Town Hall Brewing takes great pride in their barrel-aged beers. If you’re looking for a 64oz growler of delicious, high-gravity beer, look no further than Town Hall.

• Few establishments fuse the food, beer, and wine worlds together as well as The Happy Gnome in St. Paul. 75 taps + upscale food and knowledgeable staff. 

Portland, OR

• The Hair of the Dog brewpub in downtown Portland is home to an incredibly mature barrel aging program. Order an Adam From The Wood and you'll understand why Alan Sprints' barrel-aged beers get so much press.

• Cascade's Barrel House brewpub has more than a dozen tap lines full of their creative, barrel-aged sours. Fresh fruits, oak, sour yeast, and occasionally bourbon barrels harmonize in the hands of the Cascade team.

• Take the elevator to the basement of a bank building across the Broadway Bridge and you'll be greeted by barrels full of beer from Upright Brewing. This musically inspired brewery focuses on sours and saisons, excelling at both.

• Deschutes, one of Oregon's prominent brewers, opened a brewpub in downtown Portland in 2008. Take a seat outside and enjoy one of their fresh brews on draft. 

Flickr/rosenkranz

Boston, MA

• Cambridge Brewing Company's casual brewpub atmosphere provides an enjoyable respite from its bustling surroundings. When they have sours on tap, don't miss them.

• Jack's Abby Brewing in Framingham lies on the outskirts of Boston. It takes a brave team of brewers to focus on lagers in today's ale-dominated craft beer market, and Jack's Abby does so magnificently.

• Lord Hobo in Cambridge serves up the finest beers from the New England area and beyond. Their taps and cellar regularly feature the likes of Cantillon, 3 Fonteinen, Hill Farmstead, and others. 

Denver, CO

• Crooked Stave is one of the hottest young breweries in the country and boasts a highly respected sour program.

• Downtown Denver is home to Great Divide Brewing, which is best known for producing high-quality stouts on a macro scale.

• Avery Brewing Company's barrel-aged series has turned heads nationwide; the short drive up to Boulder is worth the effort.

Read more: http://matadornetwork.com/nights/the-20-best-beer-towns-in-america/#ixzz2VRWKOq56