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PHILLY BIERFEST 2025 – AWARD-WINNING BEER FESTIVAL HONORS PA’S GERMAN BREWING HERITAGE WITH EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

B. Kline — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 21:19:03 +0000

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.

Philly Bierfest 2025

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.
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.
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

Philadelphia German Bierfest 2025

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).

A crowd at the Philly Bierfest

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)

A coupled dressed up at the Philly Bierfest

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.)

Imprint Brewing Cuts Brewing Staff and Halts Production at Hatfield Facility

B. Kline — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 13:20:17 +0000

Craft Beer Heartbreak: Imprint Beer Co. Hits Pause on Hatfield Brewing

In a shocking twist that’s left the craft beer community reeling, Imprint Beer Co., a beloved local brewery in Hatfield, has announced a major shake-up in their operations. Known for their innovative brews and loyal following, Imprint is facing a bitter reality that’s forcing them to halt beer production at their Hatfield facility.

Imprint Beer Co.

The Sobering News

The brewery dropped this bombshell on social media, citing economic pressures as the main culprit. At the heart of the issue? Hefty surcharges imposed by the Hatfield Municipal Authority on water usage and wastewater volumes. These unexpected costs have apparently tapped out the brewery’s resources, leaving them in a tough spot.

(See Also: Imprint Unveils GNARCADIUM)

Imprint Beer Co is best known for their Schmoojies and (smoothie) sour beers. They are located at: 1500 Industry Rd STE R, Hatfield, PA 19440.

Imprint Goes to Social Media

Anyone who is familiar with BeerNerds and BeerGods Facebook groups, which are primarily Philadelphia / New Jersey based beer groups (but are national) would have seen some of the news about this already. Posts like this one:

A post from the BeerGods Facebook Group

There has been a lot of talk in other groups as well. Some like: Beer Nerds, BeerGods, BeerNERDS, TheBeerGods, and Pennsylvania Craft Breweries. (You can also always check out our group as well – The Beer Thrillers Group). There was lots of talk about how the brewery staff was let go, just weeks out from Christmas (today – December 4th, is officially three weeks before Christmas).

In response to all of these postings, the Imprint Beer Company themselves went to social media and made several posts. In it they discuss how important their staff is, how much they love their workers, and how vital the employees are to the company.

Its the typical responses you see from companies giving a “rah rah” speech; but at the same time, its also the same typical response you see to media backlashes that companies get. Not quite an apology, not quite overall sincerity, and not quite getting to the true issues of everything going on. You can read for yourself below, with their quoted post, and then the images they had on their posts. They posted this on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and whatever other social medias they have.

The post reads:

Swipe to learn why we are moving our production and packaging location.

We thank everyone who has reached out with their support over the past couple days.

As always, we love what we built, our staff, and especially all our customers. We are OF COURSE open as usual in the taproom and arcade in Hatfield for at least 3 more years!!

See you here

#imprintbeerco

Imprint Beer Co. – Facebook Post

Staff Cuts and Community Reaction

Perhaps the most gut-wrenching part of this news is the impact on Imprint’s team. The brewery confirmed they’ve had to let go of their production and packaging staff, a decision that’s clearly left a sour taste in many mouths. Social media has been buzzing with reports of abrupt dismissals, with one former employee claiming they were fired in a mere 38-second phone call.

Hope on the Horizon?

Despite this setback, it’s not all doom and gloom for Imprint Beer Co. The brewery insists they’re not closing shop entirely. In fact, they claim sales are still ‘climbing briskly’ – a silver lining in an otherwise cloudy forecast. They’re actively scouting for a new production facility that won’t drain their resources with excessive surcharges.

This also comes on the heels of Sly Fox Brewing Owing Money for Damages and Penalties in related to tip wage theft. (See also: Sly Fox Brewing Ordered to Pay Nearly $200K for Withholding Tips)

What This Means for Craft Beer Lovers

For now, Imprint fans might need to savor those last few cans in their fridges. But fear not, hop heads! The brewery is determined to get back to brewing as soon as possible. They’re committed to continuing their legacy of crafting those unique, handcrafted beers we’ve all come to love

The Bigger Picture

This situation highlights the challenges small breweries face in today’s economic climate. From rising costs to regulatory hurdles, craft brewers often find themselves navigating choppy waters. It’s a reminder of the passion and perseverance required to keep the craft beer scene thriving. As we raise a glass to Imprint Beer Co.’s resilience, let’s hope for a swift return to brewing. After all, the craft beer world wouldn’t be the same without their creative concoctions. Stay tuned, beer lovers – this story is still fermenting!

This is also a very poor look on Imprint Beer. Considering the timing in relation to Christmas, New Years, the Holidays, etc. Also given reports of how much people did not enjoy working for them, and now as the dirt will begin to work its way out on the various social media platforms.

We hope all staff that was working for them finds new jobs and new (and seemingly better) places of employment. Especially at this point in the year. We will also keep everyone updated on what goes on with Imprint Beer, as they move on from this.

For More Information on Imprint Beer Co.

The following comes via Untappd.

Imprint Beer Co. is a micro brewery from Hatfield, PA. They have 1637 unique beers and over 519,000 ratings, with a global average rating of 4.19 (as of 12.4.24). Their Untappd description reads: “From hazy IPAs to lusciously thick stouts to mind melting fruited sours, we have been crafting creatively delicious beers since 2018. Our Hatfield location houses our brewery, spacious taproom, Cantina Rabo and our new Gnarcadium brewerycade. ”

You can find them at the following social media platforms:

Imprint Beer Co – Official website
Imprint Beer Co – Facebook
Imprint Beer Co – Instagram
Imprint Beer Co – Twitter
Imprint Beer Co – Untappd

Brewery News

Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:

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