If you know me in person, you're probably well-aware that this brewery is one of my favorites! I am so excited to share some information about this great little gem with you!
Located inside The Market at the Fareway just off Germantown Ave. in the charming Chestnut Hill district of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Brewing Company offers great drinks, yummy food and a relaxed environment. The Market itself is bustling with vendors offering a variety of pre-made and fresh foods! This "Mini-Reading Terminal" has so much to offer, from a butcher and a produce stand, to both Korean and American barbecue, pho, sushi and more! Guests may order from any location before finding a place to sit and relax. Located just at the entrance to the market is the brewery, with several tables and an inside bar to sit at. But for those visiting with a furry friend, the real beauty lies outside the market walls!
Outside offers a relaxed but social beer garden, hosting communal long-tables, high-tops and even couches. A Firepit with colorful chairs adds a bit of fun! In the summer, the vine-draped pergola offers plenty of sunshine, while impressive heaters keep it toasty in the winter! I could honestly remove my coat in the middle of January! This makes for a wonderful year-round destination!
Additionally, this space is incredibly dog friendly! Water bowls are readily available for your furry friend, and there are several "Leash your Beast" stations available for you to hook your pup to! The brewery owners have two adorable Newfoundlands of their own, Barley and Hops, who serve as pseudo mascots! The brewery's logo features Ralph, the owner's first Newfie, and is an adorable reminder of the space's ode to dogs. Our two pups love coming here! They honestly sprint when we get out of the car, because they know they're about to get lots of pets and (very likely) some pizza crust!
Chestnut Hill Brewing Company itself offers a wide variety of options for the hungry diner. The menu is extremely vegan-friendly, too. Appetizers such as Buffalo Cauliflower and Bang Bang Broccoli shine, while entrees including The Firepit Salad, Smashed Chicken Sandwich and Falafel are always delicious! But the real star of the show is the pizza! Made to order in a brick oven, the menu offers something for everyone! Signature pies such as the Presto Bianca, which features mozzarella, ricotta and pesto, and The Pontz, with mushrooms, onions and local sausage, are sure to delight. Plus rotating seasonal creations such as the current Okie Dokie Artichoke with burrata and hot honey offer new flavors year-round!
Inside, The Taproom at Chestnut Hill Brewing Company offers a rustic, industrial vibe featuring pieces of local history and an additional menu! Options such as Veggie Street Tacos and Three Cheese Mac N' Cheese make this an excellent spot for any date night or lunch hour! Tom and I even had our rehearsal here! It was the perfect location to toast with our loved ones! As an added bonus, one of the bathrooms is adorably dog-themed, with tons of pictures of Barley and Hops!
For those looking for additional fun, the brewery also offers a large variety of activities! Wednesday evenings is Trivia Night from 7-9pm! The theme changes weekly, and there's a beer-related prizes for the winning team! Weekends and special date-nights often feature live music from local artists. Additionally, there are frequent creative and seasonal events such as a Chocolate and Beer tasting around Valentines Day, an Ice Bar during the Chestnut Hill Ice Festival, Barre & Beer, and even a children's pizza making class! There is truly something for the whole family!
Now, you can't post about a brewery without talking about the BEER! So let me say there is a style for beer lovers of all kinds. Nick, the brewer, is constantly trying new recipes while also staying true to regular's favorites! Offering IPA's such as Galactic Loosey and Motra, The Fiddler Pilsner, and Kick in the Nibs kolsch (featuring a coffee aroma), there Is always something new to try. My personal favorite is the summer seasonal Puppy Love, which is a strawberry & raspberry witbier which my husband helped create as a surprise for our engagement! If you like fruit beers, you definitely need to try it! But! If you are not a beer-drinker, CHBC also offers a variety of cocktails, mocktails, local wine and additional options! There is really something for everyone!
So there you have it! With great beer, delicious food and awesome pizza, plus a dog-friendly year-round beer garden, Chestnut Hill Brewing Company gets 5 stars and a high-paw from us!
