PHILADELPHIA - Today, Philadelphia reclaims its title as "America's Best Beer-Drinking City™" with the highly anticipated, grassroots return of Philly Beer Week. Hot on the heels of hosting 15,000 attendees for the Craft Brewers Conference, the city's breweries, bars, and restaurants have rallied to bring back the nation's original beer week—a beloved tradition that had been paused since the pandemic.
The Historic Significance and a Tragic Pause
When Philly Beer Week first launched in 2008, it sparked a craft beer movement that was eventually replicated in over 100 cities globally. At its peak, the festival boasted 2,000 events across 100 venues.
However, the pandemic forced a shutdown, and efforts to revive the festival faced a tragic setback with the sudden passing of lead organizer Rich Colli of Varga Bar. Last year, a tempered version of the festival was held in his honor. Now, as the city gears up for the Philly 250th and America 250th celebrations, the festival is officially back on track for a major comeback, driven entirely "by the people, for the people."
A Grassroots Revival Led by Industry Veterans
This year's organic revival is being spearheaded by two original 2008 volunteers who have since become major players in the local scene: William Reed (of Standard Tap and Johnny Brenda's) and Mike "Scoats" Scotese (formerly of Grey Lodge Pub and Hop Angel Brauhaus, now with Lucky Cat Beer Company and Mutual Respect Brewers Co-op). Together, these two created the iconic Hammer of Glory—the hand-forged keg hammer that serves as the official mascot of the week.
Working alongside Kory Aversa of Aversa PR and Philly Publicist on TikTok, Reed and Scoats have meticulously organized an 11.9-mile relay to kick off the ten-day celebration, which runs from May 29 through June 7, 2026.
The 2026 Hammer of Glory Relay
Today, the Hammer of Glory will travel across the city, starting in Northern Liberties—Philadelphia's original 19th-century brewing district—and ending in the modern craft beer hub of South Philadelphia. The public is invited to join the passionate volunteers for first toasts, wacky photo ops, and quirky traditions at each of the 16 venues.
Sources
- Aversa PR Press Release – Official schedule and history of the 2026 Philly Beer Week return.
- Craft Brewers Conference 2026 – Context regarding the 15,000 attendees visiting Philadelphia weeks prior.
William Zimmerman
Publisher
Publisher / Webmaster at Phlly Bite Magazine.
