On Friday, May 31, Opening Tap ceremonies will commence at 7 p.m. with the traditional ‘first tap’ by Mayor Michael Nutter, held outside, on Independence Mall, adjacent to the Independence Visitor Center (1 North Independence Mall West.)   The ceremony is free and those waiting to enter the main affair will be in prime position to watch the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Brew-vitational awards as well as see Mayor Nutter slinging the PBW keg mallet (affectionately known as the Hammer of Glory, or HOG) to release PBW’s first drops of Brotherly Suds 4, the local collaborative beer of PBW 2013. 

Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. for a strolling beer tasting of more than 30 regional breweries on two levels.  General admission costs $45 per person and will include a souvenir tasting glass.  VIP tickets costs $90 per person and will include some of the region’s most unique beers from its very best breweries, a tasty food buffet and other surprises.  Both tickets can be purchased online (click to buy).  The event sold out last year, and tickets will not be available at the door. 

Confirmed breweries include:

• Appalachian

• Box Car Brewing

• The Brew Works

• Dogfish Head

• Dock Street

• Evil Genius

• Flying Fish

• Free Will

• Full Pint

• Home Sweet Homebrew

• Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

• Keystone Homebrew

• Lancaster Brewing Company

• Lion Brewery

• Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant

• Nodding Head

• Philadelphia Brewing Company

• Prism

• River Horse

• Rock Bottom

• Round Guys Brewing

• Samuel Adams

• Shawnee Craft Brewing

• Sly Fox

• Stoudts Brewing Company

• Straub Brewery

• Triumph 

• Troegs

• Victory

• Weyerbacher

• Yards

• Yuengling

Beer drinkers will get a first taste of Brotherly Suds 4, an English summer ale with a zesty citrus hop.  The collaboration beer will be brewed this year at Yards by Tom Kehoe, Bill Covaleski of Victory, Gordon Grubb of Nodding Head, Mark Edelson of Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant and Gene Muller of Flying Fish. 

Beer friendly food will be available for purchase on site from Max & Me Catering.  There will also be live music by The Flathead Gang.  Attendees must be at least 21 years of age, and no children will be admitted.  Those who will be acting as designated drivers can attend the Opening Tap for $15 per person, including complimentary soft drinks and a PBW DD t-shirt.

To purchase tickets or to find out more inofmration visit: http://www.phillybeerweek.org/