Posts tagged Allentown
Philadelphia Brewing Co. comes to the Liberty Street Tavern in Allentown - tonight!
For the first time locally, Philadelphia Brewing Company’s great selection of beers will be on tap at the Liberty Street Tavern in Allentown. You can stop by tonight from 7:00pm - 11:00 pm for an $8 flight that includes Kennzinger (a Philly favorite!), Pennsylvania Pale Ale, Rowhouse Red, and Fleur de Lehigh. There will also be giveaways - and you know you can always use another beer-branded t-shirt or pint glass.
The Liberty Street Tavern, located at 2246 W Liberty St in Allentown, also has hundreds of bottles to choose from and some great food (try the boardwalk-style fries), so even if you can’t make it tonight, be sure to get in there soon!
The Best Places to Have a Beer After the Allentown Fair
The “Great” Allentown Fair. The Fair is the kind of event where you check out the carnies, the goats, rabbits and cows, the gut-busting food, and some of the most freakish people from all walks of life and leave asking yourself, “What the hell was that?” Unfortunately, unlike Bethlehem’s mega-fests, the Allentown Fair is pretty much a dry event, unless you want to drink Coors with a pack of cougars at the Main Gate, or whatever they call it now. That’s why after you’ve had your fill of the Fair, you’ll surely want to throw back a quality beer at one of the local drinking holes.
To find craft beer you’ll have to venture a block or two from the Fairgrounds, but that will give you the opportunity to walk off that funnel cake and pee where there isn’t a line that resembles the entrance to the gates of hell. For ideal access to all the places to get the good stuff, park North of Liberty Street near Gates 6, 7, or 8 and follow our guide below for the best post-Fair craft beer pub crawl on the West Side of Allentown. These are your sure bets for good beers and even better locals.
(Bars listed by proximity to The Fair)
RINGER’S ROOST
Located literally a stones throw from Gate 7 and 8, Ringers is a family-owned establishment that has been around as long as we can remember. Although their craft tap selection is pretty sparse (Sierra Nevada Pale ale, Magic Hat #9, and a few taps of Sam Adams), Ringers has a excellent variety of rotating bottles. Recent sightings include Chimay Blue, Stone IPA, Victory Golden Monkey, and Bell’s Two Hearted, as well as a mix of Stoudt’s, Yards, Smuttynose and Troegs. Although also known for their food, sadly the kitchen closes during the Fair and their normal Happy Hour specials temporarily cease to exist. Tons of locals hang here too, and if you stop back after the Fair we recommend their Taco Tuesdays.
Near the corner of 19th and Tilghman, Greg’s is not even a blip on the radar in the Allentown craft beer scene, though they made it into our list because we spotted Stoudt’s Oktoberfest on tap here a few days back. This smoking bar offers a large horseshoe bar and pool table, though we could do without the license plates and cow skull decor mixed with a splattering of Bud pinup posters (ok those weren’t that bad, except for the fact they had Bud in them). The place was dead when we stopped there except for a mix of a few hammered yocals chugging Busch Pounders or pondering life over a shot of Jim Beam. Might be worth a quick stop if you have to park on 19th street North of Tilghman.
Don’t let the sports bar category fool you. Volpe’s, a long time family-owned bar located a half block west of 19th and Tilghman not only serves up every conceivable sports event on about 12 flat screens, but is also a hidden gem for craft beer. Though the draft selection is meager (#9 being the only craft beer currently on tap) Volpe’s has been known to get rare kegs such as Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA. Volpe’s bottle selection, on the other hand, is worth a stop. As of Monday, Avery Karma and White Rascal, Lefthand Good Juju, Southern Tier Phin and Matt’s Extraordinary Ale, Bell’s Oberon and Two Hearted Ale, Brooklyn Lager, Dogfish Head 60 and 90 Minute IPA, Anderson Valley Summer Solstice, and Smuttynose Weizen were available. Aside from the brew and sports, Volpe’s offers a decent menu that goes late night, in case that hot dog at the Fair leaves you wanting more. Be aware, however, that Volpe’s is a smoking bar that allows cigars, and people smoke em’ if they got em’ here.
JACK CALLAGHAN’S ALE HOUSE
On Tilghman Street between 20th and 21st, Callahan’s offers a large selection of craft beer drafts, daily food specials, and for those who would rather spend their hard earned cash on beer, FREE fresh popcorn. The food is decent, the bartenders are knowledgeable about what’s on draft, and kegs kick often so the supply of beer is generally fresh.
STOOGES
3 blocks West of Gate 6 is a bar we know little about. Our first and only visit here ended in failure as they were closed for renovations. They advertise $3.00 Victory drafts. Who knows what will be pouring when they reopen September 2nd, but it might be worth checking out on your walk to Liberty Street Tavern.
LIBERTY STREET TAVERN
Liberty Street Tavern may be last on this list, but it is surely our pick for the best craft beer bar on Allentown’s West Side. Located at 23rd and Liberty, this place is worth the walk. With 10 or more rotating craft beer drafts (some pretty damn rare) served in appropriate glassware, Liberty Street is the place to spend that $10.00 you almost used in an attempt win the enormous stuffed Stewie at the Fair. With decent pricing, superior craft beer selection, and knowledgeable staff, Liberty Street is perfect for a nightcap after the horrors you have surely witnessed at the Fair. Most of our visits here have been while Muhlenberg College was not in session, so we cannot say what the vibe is like during the school year, but so far we’ve come across interesting locals on our visits (many are fellow craft beer enthusiasts). In addition to the excellent draft selection, Liberty boasts a variety of 300 different bottles. We’ve never actually counted the selection in their 6+ coolers, but there seems to be something for everyone and they offer $1.00 off mix and match six packs on Fridays. Kegs kick quickly and are re-tapped almost immediately, so you never quite know what new treats will be available. Recent additions have included Troegs Mad Elf and Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Black Barleywine. The food menu includes everything from specialty pizza and house made chips with salsa to Muffeletta sandwiches. Liberty Street is also a smoking bar, but has one of the best ventilation systems we’ve ever come across.
Although the Fair may come and go, these local establishments are always pouring quality beer to West End locals. Support craft beer and local bars by stopping in for a pint or four during and after the Great Allentown Fair - and don’t forget to tell them who sent you!
