Blog
The Roots of Philly Beer Week
Now that we’ve made it through Philly Beer Week, and most of us are still walking around in a hop-induced haze, it’s time to shed a little light on the history of this Philadelphia tradition.
Philadelphia brewing first gained recognition in 1685, when William Frampton opened up the city’s first commercial brewery. “The Brewers sell such beer as is equal in Strength to that in London,” glowed Gabriel Thomas, “half ale and half stout…and their beer hath a better name.” The price was even more enticing, only fifteen shilling a barrel, at a time where working men earned five of six shillings for a day’s work. Early Philadelphians also experimented with homebrewing, utilizing pumpkins, persimmons or cornstalks in their brews. Those who didn’t have hops utilized wild carrot seed, coriander seed, brown sugar or horehound to bolster the flavor.
Early Philadelphia beer drinkers were no light-weights. In 1733, The Pennsylvania Gazette singled out “some otherwise discreet women” for excessive early morning imbibing. “Instead of a draught of beer and toast, or a chunk of bread and cheese, they must have their two or three drams in the mornings.” At that rate of consumption, the market for store-bought brews from breweries in the English style began to boom. Over time, Philadelphians patronized about a hundred taverns, with names like the Turk’s Head, the Rattlesnake, the Indian Queen, the Queen of Hungary, Penny Pot House (later the Jolly Tar Inn), and the Golden Lion. After British rule this was renamed the Yellow Cat.
George Washington, who made his home here for much of the 1790s, took such a liking to Philadelphia porter that when Robert Hare’s brewery burned, Washington sent his personal condolences.
Philadelphia brewing really began to take off in the early 19th-century, when German immigration assured a market of scale – and gentler brews. By the 1880s, there were no less than 90 of this new breed at work, many clustered in the place known as Brewerytown. They included Arnholt & Schaefer Brewing Company, J. Bentz’ Brewery, Goldbeck & Eisle, Henzler & Flach, Peter Schemm and Son and, of course, at Thompson between 32nd and 33rd, the successor to the first to lager beer brewer in America, Bergner & Engel.
Today Philadelphia continues to be at the forefront of the beer brewing industry, with many fine breweries and microbreweries located throughout the city. Breweries such as the Philadelphia Brewing Company, Victory, Slyfox, Yards, Dock Street, plus many others are creating world class brews that are widely available. For those of you who weren’t able to make it to one of this year’s beer week events, crack open a local brew and take part in this great Philadelphia tradition. Even better, pour a shot of AITA Root into Philadelphia Brewing Company’s Joe Coffee Porter and enjoy a delicious Root and Joe.
Written by intern on 06/14/2010 in Beer | Beer Event | Blog | Event | Exhibition Review | Food | History | Philadelphia
|
Share this post: |
|
