PHILLY BIERFEST 2025 – AWARD-WINNING BEER FESTIVAL HONORS PA’S GERMAN BREWING HERITAGE WITH EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Recognized by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards as one of the TOP 10 BEER FESTIVALS, the German Society of Pennsylvania will host their 12th annual, world-class beer tasting event: Philly Bierfest – Saturday, February 22 from 2:00pm to 5:30pm. As always, this spirited event is presented in partnership with two additional non-profit beneficiaries: the ferocious skaters of Philly Roller Derby and the Brewers of Pennsylvania, a trade association that advocates for PA brewers and beer lovers and aims to foster a healthy, ethical, and growth-focused beer industry in our state.
Tickets can be purchased at phillybierfest.org.
This year’s highly anticipated 12th Annual Philly Bierfest will feature six floors of fabulous activities across two historic buildings plus additional outdoor attractions in the German Society’s glorious gated garden. Attendees can look forward to:
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Over 50 German-style beers from 25 Pennsylvania craft brewers in the PA Beer Hall – from lagers and weizens to kölsches and doppelbocks!
- Over three dozen beers imported from Germany in the German Beer Hall and Ayinger Speakeasy, as well as a “NoLo Import Bar” featuring German zero proof and low alcohol beers.
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The all-new Bitburger BRÜ Balcony (accessible for VIP and VIP plus ticket holders) on the mezzanine where they will be serving Bitburger Pilsner, German-inspired bites, and seating with great views of the stage!
- GSP’s 2025 German Beer Ambassador Award which will honor renowned beer and whiskey writer, Lew Bryson, who will be partnering with Bierfest co-founder Marnie Old for enlightening VIP Plus guided tasting seminars at 12pm and 3pm dubbed “He Said PA, She Said Germany”
- Delicious fermented offerings from members of the PA Cheese Guild and PA Cider Guild at Bierfest’s PA Cheese Cave and PA Cider Bar.
- Pennsylvania-themed live entertainment in the PA Beer Hall, including Roller Derby Arm-Wrestling, Beer-Jello Masskrugstemmen,and Live Philbilly Music by TC Cole Riot.
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German-themed live entertainments in the German Beer Hall, including the wildly popular Berlin-Style Beerlesque, Oompah-Funk by Polkadelphia and thigh-slapping UGH Schühplattler Folk Dancers, all emceed by sword-swallowing sideshow performer Reggie Bügmüncher.
- Traditional Bavarian “Bierstacheln” – or caramelization of doppelbock beer with hot fire pokers – at our outdoor firepit, sponsored by Tröegs Brewing Co. and PA Beer Tours.
- Brand-new attractions such as a “Best Legs in Lederhosen” contest and hair-raising activities like axe-throwing
Every year, Bierfest showcases Pennsylvania’s German brewing heritage and this state’s leadership in the brewing of (and appreciation of) German-style lager beers to encourage Pennsylvanians to take pride in our region’s centuries-long prowess in lager brewing.
“Locals may not realize that Pennsylvania brewers lead the nation in championing beer styles of German heritage, from refreshing pilsners to malty doppelbocks,” says Victory Brewing Company president Bill Covaleski, who served as founding president of the Brewers of Pennsylvania trade association and remains a board member. “Bierfest is a perfect showcase for what should be a point of pride for Philadelphia’s beer lovers.”
Even Pennsylvania’s smallest breweries and brewpubs tend to place greater emphasis on styles of German heritage than their competitors in other parts of the country, simply because of the depth and breadth of Germany’s cultural influence here. Many Philadelphians do not know that Pennsylvania is also home to the largest American-owned brewery in the USA – the Yuengling & Sons Brewery in Pottsville, which is known for their lagers.
Bierfest is decidedly European-influenced in its family-friendly and community-supporting vibe. To encourage local home brewers to try their hand at brewing the hard (German) way, Bierfest’s Home Sweet HomeBräu Taste-Off, sponsored by My Local Brew Works, will award the winning homebrewer an incredible opportunity to brew a commercial batch of their recipe in collaboration with the custom craft brewers of My Local Brew Works, to be served at Bierfest 2026! ‘Beer-Less’ tickets are available for designated drivers by contacting the German Society of PA.
Over two dozen Pennsylvania craft and legacy brewers will participate in Bierfest 2025, including Artifact Brewing [Hatboro], Attic Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Broad Street Brewing Co. [Bristol], Brewery Techne / Bar Hygge [Philadelphia], Dock Street Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Gunpowder Falls Brewing Co. [New Freedom], Iron Hill Brewery [Exton], Human Robot Brewery [Philadelphia], Lavery Brewing [Erie], Love City Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Mainstay Independent Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Michaux Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], My Local Brew Works [Philadelphia], Sly Fox Brewing Co. [Phoenixville], Susquehanna Brewing Co. [Pittston], Tired Hands Brewing Co. [Ardmore], Triple Bottom Brewing [Philadelphia], Tröegs Brewing Co. [Harrisburg], Two Locals Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Victory Brewing Co. [Downingtown], Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. [Hawley], Wissahickon Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], Yards Brewing Co. [Philadelphia], ZeroDay Brewing Co. [Harrisburg], and more, plus the oldest and largest independent brewer in the USA, Yuengling & Sons Brewery [Pottsville].
Over two dozen German imported beers will also be poured, ranging from high-profile flagships to lesser-known artisanal products, including brews from Ayinger, Benediktiner, Bitburger, Erdinger, HofBräu, König Ludwig, Köstritzer, Krombacher, Paulaner, Radeberger, Schneider & Stiegl, Schöfferhofer, Tucher, Warsteiner and more, plus the oldest continuously operating brewery in the world, the Bavarian State Brewery at Weihenstephan. Bierfest will also host spaces dedicated to showcasing other local fermented foods and drinks such as the PA Cheese Cave hosted by members of the PA Cheese Guild, like Birchrun Hills Farm and a PA Cider Bar anchored PA cider makers like Ploughman and Stone & Key! Added last year, the popular “NoLo Bar” will return to this year’s Bierfest, featuring German-style no alcohol and low-alcohol beers, including Bitburger 0.0 and Stella Artois 0.0.
The German Society of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit organization founded in 1764, devoted to furthering the understanding of German and German-American contributions to the growth of American history and culture from the past to the present, and into the future. Executive vice-president Tony Michels is a Bierfest co-founder and also organizes Philadelphia’s German Heritage Festival.
Philly Roller Derby is a skater-owned and operated roller derby league and a proud member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Since their inception in 2005, this league of athletic women on wheels has brought roller derby back to Philadelphia.
Brewers of Pennsylvania is a non-profit trade advocacy organization whose mission is to responsibly serve the needs of Pennsylvania’s diverse beer-drinking audience and to empower the state’s brewers to join together to support and protect their common and individual interests.
Bierfest co-founder Marnie Old is a noted Philadelphia drinks author and one of the country’s top expert speakers on wine and beer who by day serves as “director of vinlightenment” for Boisset Collection. She is a wine columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer and the author of many award-winning books, most notably He Said Beer, She Said Wine (DK 2008) and Wine: A Tasting Course (DK 2013).
GENERAL EVENT INFORMATION:
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Location: German Society of Pennsylvania 611 Spring Garden St. Philadelphia, PA 19123
Times: Main Event – 2:00pm to 5:30pm
Exclusive VIP ‘Early Access’ – 1pm to 2:00pm [VIP & VIP Plus Ticketholders only]
Ticket Info: Ticket link below or by phone at 215.627.2332
- $59 General Admission – Main Event Only
- $79 VIP – Early Access and Keepsake Mug
- $99 VIP PLUS – 12pm Guided Tasting of 8 Beers Led by Marnie Old, Early Access and Keepsake Mug
- $35 ‘Beer-Less’ Admission – For Non-Drinkers & Designated Drivers (contact the German Society to purchase)
Recognized by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards as one of the TOP 10 BEER FESTIVALS, the German Society of Pennsylvania will host their 12th annual, world-class beer tasting event: Philly Bierfest, held Saturday, February 22 from 2 pm to 5:30 pm.
This year’s highly anticipated 12th Annual Philly Bierfest will feature six floors of fabulous activities across two historic buildings plus additional outdoor attractions in the German Society’s glorious gated garden; with attractions spanning tastings of 75+ German and German-style Pennsylvania beers, educational seminars, axe-throwing, access to the PA Cheese and PA Cider Caves, and much more.
Plus — Bierfest’s Home Sweet HomeBräu Taste-Off, sponsored by My Local Brew Works, will award the winning homebrewer the opportunity to brew a commercial batch of their recipe in collaboration with the custom craft brewers of My Local Brew Works, to be served at Bierfest 2026!
As always, this spirited event is presented in partnership with two additional non-profit beneficiaries: the ferocious skaters of Philly Roller Derby and the Brewers of Pennsylvania, a trade association that advocates for PA brewers and beer lovers and aims to foster a healthy, ethical, and growth-focused beer industry in our state.
Tickets are available online NOW at phillybierfest.org.
(All photographs are courtesy of Philly Bierfest.)
