The Best Craft Beer from the Best Craft Beer City

By Pat Smith, Matt Goldstein & Sommelier Tom Pittakas

For Philly Beer Week, our staff hit eight events and about 30 different bars overall in celebration of craft beer in one of the best beer cities in the world, Philadelphia.  From IPA’s to imperial Stouts, dopplebocks and fruit beers, Philly Beer Week had a profusion of many styles by the best breweries in the world.  Below is our top 10 beers of the 2011 Philly Beer Week.  Pick up a few these beautiful brews and let us know your thoughts.           

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1. Ballast Point Victory at Sea Barrel Aged Espresso Vanilla Imperial Porter:

An American Porter with 10.0% ABV, the Ballast Point Victory at Sea is a deep dark beer with notes of mocha, chocolate, vanilla and complex full bodied smooth porter.  This is simply one of the best porters in the world and Ballast Point continues to prove it’s one of the best breweries in the world.  This is an absolute must for dark beer lovers.  Served at the Khyber Pass Pub.

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2. Hitachino Espresso Imperial Stout

From the Kiuchi Brewery in Japan, the Hitachino Espresso Stout stands at 7.50% ABV with great malts and crisp finish.  It’s rare finding a stout this flavorful and crisp at the same time.  Dark black in color with dark head, the Hitachino is a classic imperial stout and proves that the Japanese can brew a hell of a beer.  Served at the Side Car Bar. 

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3. Dogfish Head Festina Peche BerlinerWeisse

The Festina Peche is fermented with peaches that hints of a sour beer.  Not made like traditional sour beers, this fruit beer is crafted with very ripe peaches to get it’s sour flavor.  Very crisp and refreshing, the Dogfish Head Festina Peche is the perfect summer beer.  Not too sour without many hops at all, the Festina Peche is about 4.5% ABV.  Purchased at Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting. 

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4. Fegley’s Hopsulutely Triple IPA

The Fegley’s Brewery is getting a lot of buzz in the Philadelphia area and proving to be one of the best brewers in the city area.  Considering this is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S., Fegley’s is of course creating some great crafts.  The Hopsolutely Triple IPA is made with Cascade, CTZ, Summit, Amarillo and Chinook hops, then dry hopped with Chinook and Amarillo.  At 100 IBU’s, this triple IPA is still balanced enough to challenge the best IPA’s in the country.  We challenge you to try it out.  Allentown and Bethlehem are making a real name for themselves and deservedly so.  11.0% ABV.  Purchased at Whole Foods in Plymouth meeting. 

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5. Nebraska Samarican Brown Ale

At 5.3% ABV, this American Brown Ale is slightly sweet, slightly malty, crisp and well balanced.  Overall one of the best brown ales you will find.  The Nebraska Brewing “cornhusker juice” was in major demand throughout Philly Beer week, especially the oak aged Black Betty Imperial Stout.  Colorado isn’t the only Midwest state making excellent craft beer.  Served at the Sidecar Bar.        

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6.  Russian River’s Pliney the Elder

8.0% ABV.  American Double IPA.  Purchased in a growler from the Hulmeville Inn.

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7. Port Ole Viscosity Whiskey Barrel Aged

12% ABV by Port Brewing.  Served at the Resurrection Ale House. 

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8. Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel

5.0% ABV Ayinger Brewing from Germany.  Served at Eulogy Belgian Tavern.

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9. Ballast Point Navigator Dopplebock

8.9% ABV barrel aged by Ballast Point.  Served at the Khyber Pass Pub. 

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10. Yards CB4 Belgian IPA

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11. Ballast Point Sculpin on Cask

Check out this review of the Sculpin on Cask by Billy’s Beer Blog.

12. Nebraska Black Betty Russian Imperial Stout

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