There’s never been a better time to be a beer and cider fan. Local and regional craft breweries and orchards are more popular than ever, and even the biggest players are putting out quality beverages.
If you’re a fan of beer and cider, you should consider planning a day trip or weekend mini-vacation to eastern Pennsylvania this winter to check out the 9th Annual Valley Forge Beer and Cider Festival.
The event will be held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on December 14, and it is a great time for you to plan a wonderful trip to one of the most historical cities in America.
What Happens At The Festival?
Now in its ninth year, this festival is firing on all cylinders. With a single paid admission price, you receive a tasting cup and can sample unlimited beer and cider. There are two sessions, ticketed separately. The first runs from 12:30 PM to 4 PM, and the second runs from 5:30 PM to 9 PM.
When you head to the festival, you will see every local beer and cider manufacturer in the area — and there are a lot. The beers and ciders are available for testing, and they are sold at every booth. You get to meet the people who make these beverages, and you can buy special editions that are made only for the festival.
You should also stay for special talks by people who make beer and cider, and you can enter contests at every booth that allow you to win door prizes. Food will be available for sale from local favorite food trucks, too.
How You Ever Been To Philly Before?
If you’re coming from out of town for the Saturday event, you’ll want to make a weekend of it. Book a place to stay in one of Philadelphia’s great hotels.
The Hyatt House Philadelphia/King of Prussia is a popular choice. With its location close to the famous King of Prussia Mall, you can easily shop, watch a movie, and eat some amazing food. This is a beautiful part of the greater Philly area, and it is a nice sanctuary when you are not at the festival.
If you’d like to stay more in the city, consider the Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square. Located in the historic Rittenhouse Square and in a historic building in its own right, this hotel offers guests sophistication and luxury that doesn’t skimp on modern design. A stay here is a real treat.
Tour The City
You should explore the city when you are done with the festival. Walking in the snow as you tour America’s first capital is a fun experience if you don’t mind the cold. You can search the streets of Philly for Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and many historic homes. There are historic neighborhoods that were built a century ago, and you will stumble upon many new neighborhoods that have been revived in the past few years.
If you want to take in all that the city has to offer, you might stay in town for an Eagles game, catch a Flyers game, or see the Sixers play. You can go down to the river where they are many boats and rowers, despite the colder conditions.
Plan A Road Trip
If you want to plan a road trip around the festival, you can start in Philadelphia where you will learn about all the best ciders and beers in the region. These breweries provide you with drinks that you can take on your trip, and you can start a trip up the turnpike into the Poconos. If you like skiing, you could drink your new bottles of cider or beer in front of the fire at a ski lodge in the mountains.
Conclusion
Visiting the 9th Annual Valley Forge Craft Beer and Cider Festival is a good reason to come to Philadelphia. You can try new drinks and tour the area. Find out why Philly has its reputation as the City of Brotherly Love.