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The John DeBella Show

Philadelphia Created BYOB Restaurants?

Author Steve Vassalotti
(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

I have lived in Philadelphia for my entire 35 year existence. Today is the day I learned Philadelphia created BYOB at restaurants. I was clueless to this fact until about 6am this morning, and my favorite types of restaurants are BYOB. For a lot of us, maybe even most of us, if you had two equal restaurants and 1 was BYOB, you would choose the BYOB. Nothing is better than going to a great restaurant and not spending way too much money on an overpriced cocktail or glass of wine.

How did this BYOB idea come about? Should we blame the Quakers and silly old Pennsylvania blue laws? It is an old ridiculous act that brought about the beginning of BYOB restaurants, but this one isn’t from the Quakers. After prohibition ended the governor of Pennsylvania created the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (the same PLCB we know today.) State control of alcohol and other rules that were put in place, made it extremely difficult and too expensive for places to get liquor licenses. That’s when human ingenuity and getting around the system took over. Places began allowing customers to bring their own bottles so they could have drinks with their dinner, and both the restaurant and the customer would save themselves money. Loophole!

I was looking up info to confirm that BYOB did start in Philadelphia, and I found this article from TableAgent.com that had a piece of information that blew my mind, as much as finding out Philadelphia created BYOB at restaurants. In 1996 there were only 5 BYOB restaurants in Philly! Now BYOBs are everywhere in the area and they some of the best spots to eat in and around the city are BYOB.

All hail BYOB restaurants and the human need to get around dumb rules that hold us back.

5 Pennsylvania Breweries To Try Beer From This Summer

If there is 1 thing Gen X & Millennials have done right, it’s making beer better. I say this in all seriousness. This is not to say the the back end of the baby boomers haven’t joined in and had an impact on the craft beer scene (you need to say this because they get upset easily), but let us have this one would ya! Thankfully we’ve had a beer revolution, and we have some really great craft breweries in Pennsylvania. Imagine if we were all still drinking Piels or Schaefer. Pour one out for my grand pop Dave Connelly, Schaefer was his go to for a long time.

All of the beers listed here can be found in beer stores, and now certain grocery stores since PA finally began pulling back some of the antiquated alcohol laws here.

Disclaimer: I’m not some beer connoisseur who has any clue what certain hops taste like. I just know what tastes I like, so here are 5 beers from Pennsylvania breweries you should give a try this summer.

  • Conshohocken Brewing Company - Blood Money

    Blood Money ABV 6.7%

    A seasonal offering during the spring and summer from Conshohocken Brewing Company. I’m sure you can find it in one of their 4 tasting rooms throughout the area Conshy, KOP, Bridgeport and Phoenixville but if you’re at a Phillies game before you get to the brewery you can find Blood Money at most of the carts at Citizens Bank Park that sell craft beer options. I’ve never had an issue finding it along the 100 level concourse.

  • Free Will Brewing - Cloudy with a Chance of Charcuterie

    Cloudy with a Chance of Charcuterie ABV 7%

    Freewill Brewing is based out of Perkasie, PA and their beer labels are almost as god as their beers. I’ve had a handful of their beers over the years each of which I found delicious. Including, and surprisingly, a habenero peach beer that I was gifted. Most recently when a warm February Sunday turned into a Sunday Funday for the parents while the kids played outside my neighbor brought down Cloudy with a Chance of Charcuterie. Add it to the list!

    If you’re ever in Peddler’s Village Freewill has a small tasting room that is a great place you can stop in while seeing the sights or attending whatever festival may be going on. You’ve never deserved to stop in a tasting room for a beer more than after building your kids 2 scarecrows at a scarecrow festival… without their help.

  • New Trail - Broken Heels

    Broken Heels ABV 7%

    New Trail is out of Williamsport, PA, so there is a slim chance you’re making it up to their brewery unless you’re going to the Little League World Series, or camping up that way. I discovered New Trail in my Giant Food store’s beer section. I was just perusing the selection and I’m not really sure what caught my eye, but I’m glad it did. Now New Trail has become a staple in my beer fridge and it might become one in yours too. Introduce yourself to New Trail Brewing Company with Broken Heels.

  • Neshaminy Creek - Ultracush Hazy IPA

    Ultracush Hazy IPA ABV 6%

    I’m disappointed it took me until I was 35 to try anything from Neshaminy Creek. I mean it’s been a short 20 minute drive from me since I was 21. The first time I had anything from Neshaminy Creek was at a birthday party a few weeks ago. There are probably a few beers I could have put in this spot, but we’ll go with something that is available year round from Neshaminy. Ultracush is a solid beer to dip your toe into their selection.

  • Workhorse - Queen of Prussia

    Queen of Prussia ABV 5%

    Workhorse Brewing Company is based in King Of Prussia, but I’ve always found them available in my local beer stores and supermarkets if you don’t have any plans on being in KOP. I’ve tried multiple selections from workhorse and they get a lot of thumbs up, but here I’ll mention a session beer they’ve got. Queen of Prussia beer is a good beer for your summer drinking, especially if it’s an extended afternoon like a bbq or some summer party. It’s got great flavor, but it won’t knock you on your butt after 2 or 3. If you want that, try their Clocked In Hazy Double IPA (ABV 8.8%).

Steve Vassalotti is co-host of “The Matt Cord Show with Steve Vassalotti” weekday mornings 6a-10a on 102.9 WMGK. He has been with the station since 2015. For WMGK he writes about inane nonsense that surrounds our daily lives, sports, food and other various topics. Steve writes about Philadelphia lifestyle content, the Philadelphia Eagles culture and trending topics.

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