There has been a lot in the news recently about the resurgence of Philadelphia craft breweries, mainly as a lead up to Best Week Ever (a ten day week at that!).  (Here’s a great guide from Philadelphia Daily News.)   I am sorry I’m not there. 

I am looking forward to trying some of the new Philadelphia Brewing Co.’s brews when they become available in either bottles or someplace where my brother can grab me a growler. PBC is run by the former co-owners of Yard’s. The owners of Yard’s went their separate ways last spring after having a difference in vision. One owner got the Yard’s name and recipes, and the other owners got the brewery and equipment at the old Yard’s/Weisbrod & Hess Oriental Brewing Company facility in the Kensington neighborhood. You can read more about the split here, but I agree with the article that this will be a good thing. We get new brews from PBC, AND Yard’s plans to increase capacity and bring back some favorites that were only occasionally available in the past. Plus Dock Street is making in-roads into West Philly too. Woo! Don’t tell my wife, but for this week, a little piece of my heart aches for Philly. Of course, the great local Wisconsin beers help ease those aches!

But this post is not entirely about PA. For today’s WI-PA connection (which may become a somewhat recurring feature), Sprecher will be featured at the Grey Lodge Pub as part of Best Week Ever.