We have come a long way. It started with a month long nomination period. Then came a full month of voting. And now, over 100,000 votes have been cast by our readers to chose their favorites in Pennsylvania craft beer for 2022.
Below is a full list of the winners of each category.
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Best IPA
Winner – Broken Heels by New Trail Brewing
From Untappd:
A Hazy IPA hopped intrepidly with hand-selected Citra and Mosaic, leading to High Aromatics of luminous Citrus, rich Conifer, and refreshing Tropicals. This beer packs a full mouthfeel with low bitterness that is soft on the palette. Broken Heels is available all day everyday, and reminds us that no adventure is without its risks.
2nd Place – Perpetual IPA by Tröegs Independent Brewing
3rd Place – Umbra by Warwick Farm
Best Sour
Winner – Sour Puss by Bitchin’ Kitten Brewing
From Untappd:
A crisp, refreshing sour ale brewed with a wild yeast strain that was first discovered in downtown Philadelphia. The Philly Sour yeast creates a natural and dry tartness for this easy drinking ale
2nd Place – It’s Cobblerin’ Time; Apple by Second Sin Brewing
3rd Place – Sorbetto #35 – Ever Grain Brewing
Best Beer Garden
Winner – Warwick Farm Brewing
For the second year in a row, the Bucks County brewery takes home this award. Set back on 20+ acres, Warwick Farm Brewing offers a picturesque setting for anyone who is traveling for well-made craft beer. The Bucks County brewery takes full advantage of its large outdoor space by hosting events and celebrations regularly throughout the year.
2nd Place – Shy Bear Brewing
3rd Place – Levante Brewing
Best Stout
Winner – Ralphius by Free Will Brewing
From Untappd:
Russian-style Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon barrels. This beer is a rich-bodied stout with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, caramel, and jammy dark fruit. This bourbon-barrel aged behemoth has a complementary smooth finish with a lush velvety texture.
2nd Place – Sunny Side Up by Pizza Boy Brewing
3rd Place – Carle The Great by Broken Goblet Brewing
Best Food
Winner – Mad Chef Craft Brewing
When the co-owner of your brewery (Francisco Ramirez) brings decades of experience in the food service industry and is a 2006 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, it should come as no surprise that Mad Chef would find themselves in the top spot.
2nd Place – Bitchin’ Kitten Brewing
3rd Place – Tröegs Independent Brewing
Best Beer Name
Winner – “I Suck At Life And Make Bad Decisions” – Moo-Duck Brewing
From Untappd:
Brewed with Matt Leiby who won the right to brew a beer. Matt wanted to brew something unique and we decided upon an Imperial Lager. Light but features a high ABV. Matt sucks at life and makes bad decisions
2nd Place – F$%king Pilsner – Broken Goblet
3rd Place – Oats And Hoes – Pour Man’s Brewing
Best Beer Can
Winner – Jawn Of The Dead By Neshaminy Creek
From Untappd:
JAWN of the Dead is our new Red Rye IPA – a resinous revival brimming with Apollo, Ekuanot, Mosaic, and Nuggets hops. With 20% rye malt, this beer’s undead body is bready and toasty with a spicy bite that accentuates a pronounced bitterness.
2nd Place – Alien Church – Tired Hands Brewing
3rd Place – Red Velvet Ghoul – Broken Goblet
Best Taproom
Winner – Tröegs Independent Brewing
The Hershey, PA brewery takes the top spot with its larger than life taproom that looks out on just a small portion of its brewing operations. The taproom is joined by the general store that offers guests a wide array of souvenirs to remember your visit by. 2020 may have reduced how many folks can take advantage of the space, but it is only a matter of time until every inch of this taproom is packed once again.
2nd Place – Bitchin’ Kitten Brewing
3rd Place – Warwick Farm Brewing
Best Collab
Winner – Pennsylvania Nights by New Trail/ Other Half Brewing
From Untappd:
Pennsylvania Nights stands as a tribute to New Trail’s home state, and a very warm welcome to Other Half’s recent addition, located in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania Nights is hopped with some of the best Southern Hemisphere hops we’ve ever worked with – Nelson Sauvin & Nectaron, and rounded out with some favorites from the Pacific Northwest – Citra & Centennial.
2nd Place – Foraging For Clouds – Tröegs/ Warwick Farm
3rd Place – Doom Lager – Broken Goblet/ Candlemass
Best Destination
Winner – Rising River Brewing
Rising River, who just opened in 2022, sits directly on a 2 acre property adjacent to the Little Lehigh Creek Riverbank in a 100+ year old barn. With as much history as you have in the barnhouse setting, and the riverbank running along the outdoor beer garden, it is no surprise guest flock to this destination visit.
2nd Place – Tröegs Independent Brewing
3rd Place – Warwick Farm Brewing
Best Lager
Winner – Vienna Lager – Von C Brewing
From Untappd:
This copper colored lager has a thick, cream colored head created by our traditional side pull beer faucets and a smooth and mild bitterness with faint floral hop aromas. You’ll be greeted with a complex malt flavor backdrop of pretzel crust, caramel, and bread from this all German ingredient beer.
2nd Place – Juicy Pils by Warwick Farm Brewing
3rd Place – Warehouse Lager by Neshaminy Creek Brewing
Best Music Venue
Winner – Broken Goblet Brewing
This would be Broken Gobelt’s third consecutive win, so shouldn’t come as a surprise. Why? Because we aren’t quite sure how many businesses can boast that they have the former touring stage of David Bowie. Yes the David Bowie. That’s it. That’s all that needs to be said.
2nd Place – Warwick Farm Brewing
3rd Place – Shy Bear Brewing
Best New Brewery
Winner – Rising River Brewing
As mentioned above, Rising River only opened in 2022, but they clearly have come right out of the gate as a must visit brewery in Pennsylvania. The handmade craft beer is accompanied by a second to none property which should come as no surprise that they took home the distinction of “Best New Brewery” in 2022.
2nd Place – Mystic Ways Brewing
3rd Place – Antifragile Brewing
Best Overall Brewery
Winner – Tröegs Independent Brewing
For the third year in a row, Tröegs has taken home this year’s top spot in our Readers’ Choice Awards for “Best Overall Brewery”. And for good reasons. Whether it is through their Scratch Series, staple beers like Mad Elf, or the impact they are having on the environment, the brewery does not rest on its laurels and is continuing to create new offerings every day.
2nd Place – Broken Goblet Brewing
3rd Place – Warwick Farm Brewing
