• The German Society building has Pennsylvania brewers, and German imports are in our neighbor's building.
  • VIP-Plus ticket holders attend a beer-tasting seminar hosted by local drinks expert Marnie Old.
  • Seminar beers.
  • Attendees arm-wrestle Philly Roller Derby Girls.
  • Bluegrass music accompanies the Pennsylvania Beer Hall.
  • Polkadelphia provides entertainment in the German Beer Hall.
  • The United German Hungarians Schuhplatter group dances in the German Beer Hall.
  • Our outdoor patio space makes a great beer garden.
  • Home Sweet Homebrew sponsors a homebrewer competition; attendees can taste and vote for their favorites
  • Pennsylvania brewers hold a panel discussion about beer-related topics.

Bierfest

CLICK HERE PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE 11TH ANNUAL PHILLY BIERFEST!

Click here to visit the Bierfest website.

Created in 2011 by the German Society and local drinks expert Marnie Old, Bierfest is jointly hosted by the ferocious female athletes of the skater-owned Philly Roller Derby, who proudly pour to raise funds for their ambitious national tournament schedule, and the German Society. Proceeds from Bierfest also benefit the Brewers of Pennsylvania, a trade advocacy group working to empower Pennsylvania brewers and serve the interests of Pennsylvania beer lovers. The event is held in late February, and honors our states cultural and historical ties to Germany, showcasing it through beer. Pennsylvania brewers from all across the state attend, pouring beers made in traditional German styles, as well as German importers pouring beers brewed in accordance with Germany's famous 1516 "Rheinheitsgebot" beer purity laws. Local homebrewers also get a chance to show off their German beer-inspired creations in the "Home Sweet Homebrau" taste-off. Local restaurants also participate, providing finger foods for attendees.

Bierfest includes educational aspects, as well, upstairs in our "Bierfest Academy." VIP Plus ticket holders get early access to a beer tasting seminar led by Marnie Old, and everyone is welcome to attend the afternoon's Brewer's Panel Discussion, where attending brewers discuss a different beer-related topic. Past topics include "The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of German Beer Styles" (2014), and "The German Connection: Pennsylvania’s Lager-Loving Terroir" (2016).

Find pictures of past Bierfests here!