Author Topic: Help! I'm in Philadelphia and can't find beer. (Read 126 times)

keith_h · « **on:** August 01, 2008, 06:17:03 PM »

Rene and I just arrived in Philly to see RTF on Tuesday. So far we found that you can't buy beer in the grocery stores and the liquor stores only sell wine and harder stuff. I asked about microbrews at the front desk and was given a puzzled look. After a short bit the response was you can get a beer at the pizza place as they sell Heineken and Corona.

Where can I find a place that sells imported and microbrew beers to go?

Keith
(The one trying to figure out how long he can make the six beers in the cooler last)

artswork99 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2008, 06:45:51 PM »

Hi Keith,

Here and here are brewery/brewpub lists for Philadelphia.

ENJOY THE SHOW!!!!

Art

(Message edited by artswork99 on August 01, 2008)

keith_h · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2008, 04:26:47 PM »

Art,
Thanks for the pointers.

* * * * * * * *

I think I've finally figured it out. I always thought NC had some strange ways with alcohol laws. I can honestly say Pennsylvania's beer law has us beat by a mile. :-D

It seems anything over 6% alcohol must be sold in a liquor store. So you go to a beer store to buy beer & ales under 6% however it appears they only sell by the case. In order to purchase two or less six packs you need to go to someone with a deli license. Of course you can always go to a restaurant since they can also sell up to two six packs but around here the don't seem to carry any microbrews or the better quality imports.

My final analysis, from what I have read, is most of the locals that like premium types of beers and ales go to New Jersey to make their purchases.

Oh by the way I was finally able to locate enough brew to get me through the trip. Located some Left Hand Sawtooth and Jackman's ales.

Keith

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2008, 07:23:13 PM »

Back in the mid-80's, I played a two week gig at a bar in Bristol, Tennessee. From what I recall, beer sales and liquor sales were controlled by two different authorities. Perhaps one was the city and the other was the county; something like that. The result was that each night the bar had to quit selling beer at 12 midnight. So at that point of course everyone switched to the hard stuff til closing time at 2.

hieronymous · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2008, 07:40:27 PM »

I grew up in Massachusetts so I got used to the Blue Laws - no liquor sales on Sunday, only sold in liquor stores, etc. They've relaxed a bit - I think liquor stores are able to be open on Sunday around Christmas time, but a lot of people around where I was from still go up to New Hampshire to buy beer on Sunday.

I get to California and you can even buy liquor at the supermarket! What a concept. Only problem is, when we go back to Mass. to visit we forget sometimes and get caught dry...

Oh, and congrats on finding beer! It could be worse - you could be in Utah...

keith_h · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2008, 04:30:12 AM »

Harry,
I always stocked up in Wyoming before crossing the the border into Utah. :-) I do remember our hotel having a miniature state liquor store in it and folks having to buy the mini-bottles before going into the lounge to buy the mixer.

Keith

2400wattman · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2008, 11:42:08 AM »

Keith, I used to live north of Philly and was less than 3 miles from a smokin liquor/beer store in Jersey. Always went there to make my beer run. Strange ways up there though and don't miss them at all.

mike1762 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2008, 01:51:46 PM »

I thought all you guys were Dead Heads...why are you wasting your time with beer?!?!?!?! The Merry Pranksters would be most disappointed.

keith_h · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2008, 03:40:34 PM »

Actually I'm not a Dead Head and have never really been into their music. My formative years overlapped the Dead and the San Francisco sound but I was always more into Jazz, Fusion and Avant-guard rock (i.e. Zappa). I came into Alembic via folks like Stanley Clarke and Tom Fowler. Just goes to show the diversity of the board (or three ring circus with our ring master Dave if you prefer. LOL).

As far as beer, the tradition of this board is no hijack can be complete until someone brings up beer, bikes and basses. It doesn't matter what the starting subject is, although most start out as bass unless it is started by Bill. ;-)

So lets lets bang our glasses on the table and call for another while I wait impatiently for Tuesday.

Keith

artswork99 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2008, 08:13:51 PM »

Enjoy Phila while you wait. Maybe a Phila member will chime in with more up to date details. I lived there briefly in the 90's. A fond memory was to make it into South Philly for a Geno's or Pat's cheese steak (or one of each) if you are a beef eater. I also remember lots of good restaurants on South Street.

Add another of my favorite artists to that list... Jean Luc Ponty. His solo career after Zappa did very well. Really liked his first several LPs. Enigmatic Ocean with Abraham Laboriel is such a well written piece. Sounds like a similar genre that we listen to.

I'll join you in that glass on the table especially since the thread was started with a beer intention!

Art

(Message edited by artswork99 on August 04, 2008)

jet_powers · « **Reply #10 on:** August 04, 2008, 04:49:55 PM »

I just spent a few weeks on the road in the Philly area and the better part of the eastern 2/3 of PA. Buying beer there is a pain in the ______. (Fill in your own adjective!)

I live in Mass. and it can be expensive and a pain but not like PA, though I always travel the 12 miles or so to NH to procure the raw materials for my vices, even with today's petrol prices it's still worth the effort . I remember being stunned when I was somewhere in Erie and told that if I want to buy a six pack I had to go to a bar around the corner and down a few blocks. Then I did it and was shocked at the poor selection and the high prices. I quickly learned to go across the river to Jersey while in the Philly area....

-JP